I’m one of those people that gets sick. Often. I eat pretty well, drink plenty of water, and I get at least 7 hours of sleep most nights. I wash my hands and I dress warmly during these winter months. I still get sick the most out of anyone in my family.

I made it through the first few months of flu season with zero problems — I attributed it to my recent change of scenery. I used to be on-site in a corporate office 4 days a week, where someone was always coughing and sneezing. Now, I’m by myself, and I make sure to keep my desk clean. However, yesterday I got smacked with a pretty nasty case of the stomach flu. (I blame it on the 30 people we had over for Christmas…all those germs!)

Thankfully, it only lasted about 12-15 hours, and it didn’t really start until after work. I was back in the office today by noon. But, as I was lying in my bed in utter agony, I couldn’t help but wonder … what would happen if this lasted a week? or if I was on a huge deadline?

In an office, a co-worker can always pick up your slack, but what happens when you’re a one-man show?

Freelance Folder recommends finding someone that could fill in checking email and answering phone calls while you’re out. Or someone that could pick up your work  for a few days. This all sounds well and good, but if you’re really so down and out that you can’t work … will you be able to bring someone totally out of the loop up to speed? This seems like it would be just as hard as doing the work yourself.

It seems like my laptop was the best business investment I’ve made thus far, because I could still check and respond to email and read some blog posts while I was curled up in the fetal position. I’m not sure I could do any hard-core design work, but it was way better than having to sit at a desk.

Colleen Wainwright, aka the Communicatrix, wrote a post in May about what happened when her chronic illness flared up. She writes 6 blog posts a week, and realized (only when she was too ill to do anything about it) that she didn’t have any extra “evergreen” material hanging around for just such emergencies. She also advises finding a buddy that can help cover for you in a time of need, and being sure to take care of yourself — aka not working 10-12 hour days, 7 days a week.

Kristine Kathryn Rusch writes about the other side of illness — what about when you’re not on your deathbed with the flu, but you just don’t feel “good” ? When you’re your own boss, it can be too easy to take a day off. She writes about how a quick fictitious conversation with an imaginary boss can be a good barometer about whether or not you really need to take some time off.

Honestly, I didn’t get much of anything accomplished yesterday. I sat and stared at my computer screen all day, trying to remember what the hell I was supposed to be working on. I should have taken that time to do some mindless (but necessary) work — sorting tax receipts, filing, clearing off my desk, cleaning out my inbox(es), etc. I could have been productive, even though I wasn’t feeling my best.

What do you do when illness (serious or otherwise) strikes?

The whole idea of “words versus actions” is a theme I’ve been contemplating a lot lately. It came up during many coaching sessions over the last few months. It was going to be the theme of my solo Senior Show at DePaul (which I never ended up doing because I got scared/overwhelmed).

I wanted to call it “Show. Don’t tell.” which is a term (I think) I heard first from my professor in my Intro to Journalism back in 2004. The idea behind it in journalistic writing is to hold objectivity and “truth” as the utmost goal – I can’t write, “Susie Jones is kind.” because that would be the opinion of me, the writer, and that sentence alone doesn’t mean anything. However, if I wrote “Each week, Susie Jones donates half of groceries she buys to a local homeless shelter. She spends her weekends walking dogs for the Anti-Cruelty Society and reading stories to children at her local library.” I didn’t tell you that Susie was kind, I showed you all the kind things Susie does and let you decide for yourself what type of person you think Susie is.

The whole point is: it’s simple to say it, but far more difficult to show it. We’re all big talkers, myself included. When I say I’m going to do something, I have every intention of doing it. I’m not purposefully lying to anyone…but then I don’t always follow through. I’ve been telling people that I started a blog. Yes, technically I started a blog on Nov. 16, 2009. But, this is only my sixth entry… and one of those six was only a “hey! I have a new website!” entry.

I’ve been reading a lot of blogs, for research, and thinking plenty about what types of entries I should write, but I haven’t actually written and published very many. I have four half-written entries saved as drafts.

My half-started blog isn’t the only adventure I’ve begun and neglected. I’ve been reading plenty of articles on uncluttering and simple living, but my office is still a mess and my inbox can’t hold any more paper. I’ve researched exercise plans and set goals, but frequently take 1-2 month leaves of absence from the YMCA. You get the idea.

I think the most important thing I’ve learned this year is to pay attention to words versus actions. It’s important to listen to what others have to say, but it is even more important (and difficult) to pay attention to their behavior. It’s crucial to see the differences and to pick up on them as early as possible. Realizing this has helped me have healthier relationships with my family and with clients. It has helped me take things less personally and move on when appropriate. Had I picked up on things a little sooner, 2009 may have been far less stressful.

One thing I learned about myself this year is that I need to be held accountable and have hard deadlines, or else (1) I don’t accomplish anything or (2) it takes me much longer than it “should” have. I’ve started seeking help from other people to kick my kiester in the direction of my goals. Kristie Bavaro, an executive coach, has helped me focus and decide what type of a career I want for myself. I’ve decided that I am committed to having my own business as a designer/consultant, and I don’t want to be an employee. I also signed up for a virtual group where Ilise Benun of Marketing Mentor helped me finally overhaul my website (and make it business/marketing focused) after over a year of me saying “Man, I really need to work on my website.” I’m working with Ilise again in the grow your business marketing group. It’s definitely hard work (and I’m still procrastinating a little), but I know I wouldn’t be working on it at all without her help, and the help of the other members of the group.

In general, I hate New Years resolutions and I don’t make them anymore. They’re all “tell” and no “show.” Do you know anyone who followed through on one? For the whole year (and beyond)? I seriously think it’s worse than giving up chocolate fore Lent. Instead, I’m thinking about personal and business goals for 2010 and a tentative action-plan to get me there. Once I decide, I’ll be sure to post them…and be accountable.

Firebelly Design Pop-Up Shop, Friday Dec. 4, 5-10 pm

“Firebelly is a super-talented team of patient listeners, genius problem solvers and forward thinking designers.” www.firebellydesign.com

Twice a year, the geniuses at Firebelly Design open their doors to the rest of the design community for a sneak peak at what it’s like to work for one of Chicago’s hottest design studios. I was fortunate enough to land a last-minute spot for Firebelly Design’s studio tour on Nov. 20.

Your next chance to meet the team on their turf is this Friday at the Holiday Pop-Up Shop on December 4, 2009, 5-10 PM at the Firebelly Design Studio. The studio is located at 2701 W Thomas St, 2nd Fl, Chicago, Il 60622.

Find some fabulous, unique holiday gifts and support a great cause – 50% of all proceeds benefit Reason to Give, Firebelly’s not-for-profit program that directly serves the residents of the Humboldt Park neighborhood in Chicago.

Reason to Give makes it simple and fast to donate directly to the immediate needs of the neighborhood’s residents. On the Reason to Give website, you can watch a video to learn about the family you are donating to and target your donation to a specific item, like a bed. All donors receive a certificate of thanks, but extra-generous donors receive cool swag. Donating $20+ earns you a t-shirt and donating $100+ earns you a t-shirt and a tote bag.

At the Pop-Up Shop, 50% of the sales benefit Reason to Give — so, purchase some unique, affordable holiday gifts, support the arts AND donate to a great charity. It doesn’t get much better. See you there! (and, don’t forget to check out the 50 under $50 art wall)