The Irony Of Work Habits
One of the secrets of life is that it is short. Unfortunately we usually find this out later than sooner. A life lived without intent is a life lived in a cloud and haze; nothing ever seeming clear or ‘right’.
I am constantly amazed at entrepreneurs who have been in the business for years, sometimes decades, and are not enjoying the fruits of their labors because their business consumes them. They are frustrated and have lost hope in the dreams they had when they started. They were told from day one work hard and the world will be your oyster. Ummm……
It is a commonly held belief that you have to work hard to get ahead. I disagree. If you are an employee that is true but you are supposed to be in business for yourselves. Yet, too many end up working as employees for their business. The business has totally taken over and will suck the life force out of the them. That is why they end up 15, 20 or 30 years down the road, lifting up their heads and wondering what happened!
The business owner has a responsibility to themselves, their family, their team, their client and their business. They need to set boundaries and expectations for what is acceptable and what is not. How one chooses to use their time is one of those boundaries. The business owner is in a privileged position to make their own definition of work. What is your intent? Are you getting what you want out of the deal? If the answer to either of these questions is NO changes must be made.
Recently I was dealing with a client who after a long tenure in the business had finally admitted to himself that things had to change and he needed help to do it. The initial challenge he was given was to set aside every Friday afternoon in the golf season to go and play with his buddies. Golf was something he loved to do but had not made time for it. The first Friday was hard but he did it and felt great about it; feeling giddy inside about giving himself that opportunity. One week turned into the next and before long he had put together 6 weeks running. He even took a Monday off to play in a charity golf tournament. At this tournament he met a wealthy prospective client in need of his services and is in the process of setting up a client relationship.
After making some subtle shifts and starting to redefine his work habits this business professional has not suffered. In fact, he is flourishing and at this point in time is enjoying his life more and is in the middle of his best month in years.
Truly there is irony in work habits.