I always talk about how business is all about relationships. How having great relationships with your clients is key to having a great business. But there’s another kind of relationship that’s also key.
Many of us become entrepreneurs because we want more control over our lives, career or time. We dream of “financial independence.” But if you boil it down, it’s really freedom we’re working towards. Freedom to do what we want, when we want with who we want. For me, it’s with my loved ones as much as possible. My wife and two (usually) adorable kids.
But it’s so easy to get caught up in running our businesses. Sure we make our own schedule, but that often translates to being able to work any 80 hours of the week we want. So if you’re doing this to have a better quality of life…then you need to make life part of your “to-do” list. You need to schedule time with friends and family. Work never really ends. If you wait to get everything else done before spending time with the spouse and kids, then they’ll be waiting forever. So pencil them in now. And like any client, when you’re with them, BE with them and not your smartphone.
The ones you love are our real bosses, our real clients. They are who we work for and why we work so hard for — the time and freedom to be with them and love them. I see so many business owners who forget this and spend almost all their time in their business. Don’t don’t don’t forget why we’re doing this. We’re the lucky ones. We have the choice to schedule our days around friends and family.
Besides, a truly happy and fulfilled personal life is crucial to a happy and successful business life. Entrepreneurship is not about just making money (dry mouth…water water!) it’s about quality of life — family life and love life.
Happy Valentine’s Day!