When our business grows unchecked, it will spill over into our personal lives and take all it can. Far too many business owners find themselves in this situation. The business knows no boundaries and is now taking the time that was supposed to be for friends, family, and fun.

All-Consuming Business.

“I Hope My Business Sucks My Life Away!”

– said No One Ever

An entrepreneur never starts with the idea that ‘I hope my business will become all-consuming and cause me to sacrifice my personal life to make it successful.’ Yet, many of us find ourselves there.

Countless entrepreneurs have heard some version of these words before, ‘You are always working, no need to choose. It is either the business or me.‘ My own version was while Director of Information Systems full-time AND running a computer retail storefront business. I did commercial networks for small businesses—printer setups, networks, and mail servers, and sold personal computers and upgrades. This was back BEFORE plug and play (yes, I am THAT OLD). At the same time, I ran an Internet Service Provider for our community. My business asked me to stay up Tuesdays and Thursdays nights after my full-time job so that we could be together. What did I do? Of course, I said, ‘Sure, whatever you need.’

Then that fateful day, I heard those words, “You are always working; you never are here to see the kids and me. I could care less about the business; I want to be with you. Something has to change. You decide.”

Common Thread

At some point, we all get there. I continue to hear some version of this all the time from my clients:

• The business has things that I have to do, and only I can do them. I know my family needs me, and do I want to spend time with them.
• I am growing this business for my family. It pays our bills and gives them the lifestyle we have. Sure, I’m missing my kids’ practices or recitals, and if I am honest, I feel like a bad parent. It won’t always be this way.
• One day I realized I was making good money, but I spent so much time making it I couldn’t enjoy it.

And, of course, there is the facade of being present. Which is actually physically present with their family, but mentally they’re still working in their heads or checking the phone for messages about the business.

I Might Be Part of the Problem

That is the first step, admit you have a problem. No one is perfect. Most business problems are found in three areas, TIME, TEAM, and MONEY. If we are honest, most of us business owners are looking for the time, energy, and mental presence to be with our spouses and children. However, we want time off – a chance to recharge and find our ‘happy place.’ We want to enjoy the wealth their business provides.

The other reason I say you might be part of the problem is that business problems are personal problems in disguise. No offense, but we all have areas we can improve, and personal improvement will make us better business owners.

In the journey to build a better business – a business that will give you the quality of life you desire – you will need to work on yourself.

Where To Start? Look to the 3 A’s: Acumen, Activity, and Attitude.

Acumen is about knowledge and skill-building.

Most business owners never got formal business training. Instead, we do what we love, and it became a business.

We started out as one person doing what we are good at and love doing. Next thing we know, because we are good at it, we now have 5 employees and not slowing down.

So part of becoming a better owner is to gain some knowledge about business and to learn the skills necessary to run a good business. This part is the easy part.

Activity is about behavior. It’s about taking action and getting things done.

Hiring a team. Training your employees. Doing the marketing and making the sales. Creating a plan. Tracking results. Developing systems. Being a leader.

This part isn’t that hard either, although it often helps to have someone hold you accountable for doing the things you said you would do!

The third part is where business and personal collide.

Attitude, or as I prefer to call it, “mindset,” is what will make you or break you as a business owner.

Mindset is about thinking differently and seeing your business as an entity separate from yourself.

A proper attitude is about leaving your comfort zone and confronting your challenges head-on.

Mindset is about shifting your identity from the person who is good at “doing the work” and taking on the role of business owner and team leader. It’s about having a positive attitude, setting goals, and then doing what it takes to achieve them.

Many personal issues and challenges can get in the way of this third very important ‘A’ – Attitude.

• Fear is a big one—fear of failure, success, and looking foolish.
• The ego is another big one. I do not want to ask for help, am not willing to admit not knowing something, or admit making mistakes.
• Complacency. Are you settling for OK when you can have great? Are you willing to do the work to achieve Great?

Is it time to set boundaries for your business and get some FREEDOM back in your life? Let’s have a FREE conversation about how to take the steps necessary to make that dream come true.