Entrepreneurial Freedom: Be Careful What You Wish For

Entrepreneurship. The dream career that lets you call the shots. The freedom to work when and how you want. No more rushed lunch breaks or late nights working on someone else’s dreams. Instead, you’d have long, leisurely lunches where you could chew every bite 36 times, and there’d be all the time for self-care—whether that meant a midday gym session or clocking out early to see a movie.

If you’ve been a business owner for a while, you’re probably smiling (or rolling your eyes) at the naivety of that vision. It’s a fantasy we’ve all had, but the reality is often very different.

Instead of long lunches, you’re skipping them altogether. Instead of working less, you’re working all the time.

And then, life happens.

Two weeks ago, on my birthday evening, my daughter came home with the virus that had been making its rounds at school. A day and a half later, my husband was sick too. It was a whirlwind of caregiving, concern, and exhaustion.

In a different season of life, this would have been the kind of event that completely derailed my business. But something was different this time. A few weeks earlier, I had been hit with the classic December burnout—the kind that makes you collapse into the holidays like a marathon runner at the finish line. Those end-of-year statutory holidays and the long school break forced me to slow down, and in that stillness, I did some serious reflecting.

I realized I couldn’t keep going like this. I didn’t start a business to be trapped by it. So, I made a decision:

In 2025, I would step into my role as a leader, a delegator, and someone who prioritizes self-care.

I implemented new software. My team and I got serious about Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and task management tools. The goal? To make my business work for me, not the other way around.

Then, I got sick.

My daughter recovered. My husband got better. But I caught the worst version of what they had. On top of that, my body reacted negatively to the antibiotics, sending my blood pressure skyrocketing.

The old me would have panicked. I would have worried about how things would fall apart without me. I would have gotten out up and made my way down the stairs, forcing my way through responsibilities that were always mine. But then it hit me.

Being a leader in business and life means trusting your team, letting go, and stepping back when necessary so you can step forward as a visionary.

So, I let go.

Was everything done exactly as I would have liked? Nope! The dishwasher was double-stacked, and no one noticed the garbage bin lid wasn’t closing. Also, only half of the groceries were picked up.

But you know what? We spent less at the supermarket!

And here’s the real lesson: Instead of wishing for more downtime, plan for it.

If you don’t, life may force you to take a break—whether you like it or not. And when that happens, you’ll wish you had set things up differently.

So, what’s one thing you can do today to prepare for the inevitable moment when you need to step away? Let me know in the comments. Let’s discuss making business ownership work?for?us, not the other way around.

Denise Boswell is a LinkedIn Strategist. She helps entrepreneurs and senior leaders stand out on LinkedIn as the go-to in their industry and earn more revenue. Reach out to discover how to use LinkedIn Newsletters to generate leads.