A re-post from 2010.
You coexist with your business. It should not be your friend. It is a beast and not meant to be trusted. It demands much, but as it is with a circus lion, a chair and whip are in order. To think of that animal in any other light only invites ruin.
Sadly, many entrepreneurs, corporate slaves and others have wrapped their identities around the beast. It is a sad love affair. Just like the lover who swears this is the last one of many, a broken heart sits in waiting. By the way, you can know how tightly you’re wrapped by how much you think about the beast. The more you think, the tighter the wrap.
This post is not meant to talk you out of your business pursuits. As a matter of fact, it can be a fantastic tool for growth. The issue is one of ownership, not should I or shouldn’t I pursue a business idea/career.
Here are some solutions to the problem(s):
- Buy yourself a chair and whip. It might be in the form of cutting back on your hours or developing a fitness/exercise program. If you’re wondering what those two have to do with managing your business, look at the statistics around those who work long hours and don’t pay attention to their health.
- Look failure in the face and don’t back down.
- Start working smarter and stop trying to do everything. Rugged individualism may sound great in a speech, but it’s highly overrated.
- Re-evaluate your needs. In America two-thirds of the economy is based on consumption. Nothing wrong with consumption, but do you really need…
- Prepare for battle. The beast will not like you taking back control. This one is important. If you’re not careful you might give up, but don’t.
Good post, especially related to your consumer “Need” reference. The question we should ask ourselves and teach our children to ask the same question “If I really NEED it, does that mean that me [or my business] will DIE if I don’t purchase that item?” A “No” answer means you don’t really need it. You just want it.
Excellent clarity, Carl, thanks for commenting.
Thanks for the kind comments. In many ways I wrote this post for myself. I always try to remind myself of the life-long disciplines needed to make a difference-as a leader and a business owner.
Even leaders need to be developed and trained to become better than they already are. This is a great post that a lot of leaders and wannabe leaders would find helpful. Hope you write more!