Entrepreneurs Beware

3 Tips to Stop Your Company from Controlling You

The number one reason most people want to become their own boss is the freedom, satisfaction and flexibility it offers them (Business News Daily). We start businesses because we quit someone else and we don’t want to work for “them” again. We want to do it our way and we want to be in control of our lives and our work.

Tip #1 Do What You Love

If you own a business, you know all too well how time-consuming it can be. It can be all encompassing and the business will take on a life of it’s own. Entrepreneurs must be flexible and problem-solvers; they must be able to wear many hats and accommodate the needs of their employees, customers, vendors, and mission. Without intention, entrepreneurs can grow a business that takes over their lives…and can become a heavy burden. Even in success and growth, the business can be burdensome. We tend to hire people like us and we can find ourselves in roles in the business that we don’t love. We can find that we’ve hired people to do the work we love instead of finding employees to do the work we do not love. And, suddenly we find ourselves feeling very frustrated.

On the other hand, with real self-awareness and intention, we can be sure to build the company in alignment with our own values, our own passion and grow it with our unique skill sets and talents. That personal focus can get lost in the daily work of building a company. So be conscious, be intentional, and be aware in order to protect yourself. Be aware of when you are at your best and plan your work activities around that schedule. Be aware of what work you want to do in the long-term and build a team around that idea—if there is ever a time to be selfish, this is it! Think about your best skills and keep that work – hire those that love to do the work you don’t love and you will build a team that aligns to your strengths and fills in the gaps of your weaknesses.

Tip #2 – Live the Life You Love

Think about what your ‘best day’ looks like. Where are you working? Are you inside in an office, outside on the beach, wherever you choose that day?

Think about your schedule – is it packed with meetings, are your hands ‘in the work’, are you on a zoom call? What does your ‘best day’ look like as you think about the day’s schedule. What time do you start work? When do you stop work? Do you stop work?

Who is around you on your ‘best day’ – is your partner and/or your family part of that day or are you completely focused on work and see them later?

Play with this idea – but think about when you are at your best and what is the best for you – conform the business to fit the life you want to live. If you don’t, the business will dictate what your days and life look like.

Tip #3 – Hire People Smarter Than You

In alignment with #1 above, when you get clear about what you love to do, then keep it, protect it, don’t let others’ do it. Then hire people to do the things you don’t love. It takes confidence to work with people that know what you don’t; that’s where teams grow exponentially. Hire the resources you need to support you to do your best. Too often, entrepreneurs don’t account for their time as money and they do it all. Consider how to pay someone to do what you aren’t the best at and spend your time in that sweet spot of your unique talents and skill sets.

For more information to create a personal strategic plan that aligns your business purpose and vision with your personal purpose and vision, click here

Don’t wait – Do something now to make a change for tomorrow. contact Tammy today for your free consultation!