Recently a client of mine told me a story of how she fell in love. At first, I was taken somewhat by surprised that she would go into such a story. She mentioned how several years ago she had an idea for her business and in fact she came up with the idea on her dining room table late one night.
The ideas came at a such a speed that it was almost difficult to catch them all. In fact, it reminded her the first time she saw lighting bugs for the first time as a child. They were every where and they light up the summer night.
Then she said, why do I not feel the same way about the business. Suddenly, the air of our delightful conversation got heavy as though someone you did not want to see stepped into the room. Her eyes got dim and the stress of life was on her shoulders. I loved my business so much she began again, now I feel like I am a prisoner to it, she continued.
Seeing her stress, I asked her why she does not stop from time to time to reflect on why she got into business in the first place? Obviously you did not go into business to work long hours and stress how you are going to pay yourself.
The next time we met, she laughed with glee and said that she decided to go back to her notes and reflect why she got into business and now her stresses don't seem as big as she had first thought. It was just that she was so busy being busy that her passion and herself became lost. She allowed herself to fall back in love with herself and her business.
Two things we can all take from this. First, give yourself at least 10 minutes every day to think about your day and then think about why you are doing what you do. Second never give up the reason you went into business for yourself. Afterall, most business owners make really bad employees.
Dave Josephson, The Growth Coach® of Jax serving business owners, small practioners, sales professionals and those who know that they have what it takes to make a better life for themselves and their families.