I made a huge decision last weekend. About something that’s been a bit of a ridiculous fantasy for years.
I was doing some deep thinking about what I really wanted from my business, and the sort of life I wanted to live. I’d got a strategy workshop coming up with my coach so I’d been doing a lot of thinking about the direction for 2017. And being a business owner, inevitably how I live my life is directly impacted by how I run my business.
What was the decision?
I decided that I really only wanted to “work” 4 days a week. For me that’s a massive deal as my default programming has been to work till I fall over! But that approach really doesn’t work for me (or anyone else) and it definitely doesn’t make me happy.
There are things I want to do that I’m just not getting round to. I’m fascinated by mind-set and the power of belief and I want time to study and become an expert in financial mind set, as well as the other training and study I want to do for the business. And I’d like more time for my family and friends, time to keep fit and rehab my disgruntled back.
When I had the thought I knew it was what I wanted to do, but immediately a host of thoughts crowded in:
- What would people think?
- Blimey what a slacker!
- Could I still earn enough?
- What would people think?
- Will it mean I won’t fulfil my potential?
- How on earth could that work?
- And What Would People Think?”
But I knew right then that I really wanted to do it – it made me smile. A lot!
And it doesn’t mean letting go of my huge ambitions for the business, or that I would be “less” of anything as a result.
So I started writing down all the ways I could make it happen and let go of the very sensible reasons why I should carry on just as I am.
I realised it was more than possible that I waste at least 8 hours a week on distractions, emails and things that don’t make any difference to my business. And that working 4 days would make me be as efficient as possible, AND mean I’d make sure I only took on the work I wanted to do.
The work I love doing the most is working with bright, smart ambitious business owners to help them get what they want from their business – getting their finances to work so they secure the future they want and live a great life along the way.
This sort of work needs me at my best, not burned out and knackered!
Too often business is about great sacrifice, long hours, not seeing friends and family and losing sight of the life we thought we’d have when we set up our businesses.
So what do you dare to want?
What is it you really want? Try to take a bit of time out this weekend to reflect on why you set your business up in the first place. Is it giving you what you thought it would?
Have you got time for those important people and things or are you always rushing around with your phone / iPad / laptop surgically attached?
What’s working brilliantly, and what’s not working so well?
What would you love to do if only you had the time?
And what would you dare to want from your business?