The Entrepreneur (Click link to watch video)
Is Entrepreneurial Freedom an urban myth?
A friend of mine recently made the statement, “So many people trade a 40 hour job working for someone else for a 90 hour job working for themselves”. That doesn’t sound like freedom to me?
Truth be told, that is what my reality was the first three years in business.
Looking back, that didn’t need to be my reality…even from the beginning. Like most new business owners, I wanted to be everything to everyone. Which meant sacrificing my life to serve others.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s very important to serve others at a very high level. In fact, I pride myself on being a servant leader, but it’s hard to serve others if you aren’t serving yourself. Remember what the flight attendant says, “Put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others.”
I can hear the excuses already: “But if I’m not available my clients will leave, or I’m the only one who can serve these clients, or it’s the only time they have.”
At the end of the day, if you’re giving until you can’t give anymore your clients will leave anyway, because you’re not giving them the time, energy or attention they deserve. Or worse yet, you’re resenting the fact that you’re spending time with your clients rather than spending time with your family.
These are the steps you need to take to avoid the ultimate entrepreneurial burnout:
#1 Know what’s important to you.
– Time with family, Rest & Relaxation, Reading, Working out etc.
#2 Know WHY you’re working
– What’s your ultimate purpose?
#3 Block time for your you
– Put it on the calendar. These events are non-negotiable. Is there a date night? Time to workout? All of that needs to be on your calendar to keep others from scheduling during those sacred times.
#4 Fill in with your work, be organized and get stuff done. So many of us waste time, but when you have clear outcomes and have it scheduled you’ll get it done.
In fact, I blocked out an hour to write this blog post. It was on my calendar and now it’s done. Otherwise, something else would fill the space. Aristotle said, “Nature abhors a vacuum,” meaning wherever there is a void, the universe seeks to fill it. It’s human nature. So make sure there is no void on your calendar.
Not only will you get more stuff done, you’ll feel much more productive AND you’ll have the FREEDOM you ultimately want and need.
Send me an email at tom@tomjackobs.com and let’s chat about any questions about your business and how I might be able to help you protect it.
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