Stop the Business Free Fall, Start Your Business Adventure

Do you feel your business is running you ,more than you are running your business? Does it feel like your business is requiring more of you as it grows? 

When you started your business, it took a major leap of faith.

It took a generous helping of true courage to chase your dream, and to convince yourself to start your business. As a business owner, you are in the very brave group of individuals that have done what the majority of the population is too fearful to even attempt: you started your own business.

If your business is actually growing and succeeding, you are in an even more elite group. Did you know that 95% of small businesses in Australia fail and that only 1 in 20 make it to the 5-year mark? If your business is succeeding then you have beaten the odds.

Starting your business probably felt like you had just jumped out of a plane and found yourself in an exciting free fall.

If you are like me, you may feel as though you are addicted to the exciting, fear-based adrenaline rush. If you love the rush from free fall, it could be time to take control of that feeling and enjoy the adventure.

I see it like evolving into the professional skydiver who can do amazing moves that the novice never even dreamed were achievable. If you want to be able to enjoy your adventure on all levels, there is a 9-step proven frame work that can let you take

Take Time Out to Evaluate

Do you sometimes get so busy that when the day ends, you have no idea where the time disappeared to? Monday turns into Friday and you think, where did the week go?You were very busy but not sure if the important stuff actually got done. It is vital for your business, your family and yourself that you starting taking some “Time Out”.

I’m not talking about useless goofing off, like checking Facebook, reading emails or watching videos on YouTube. I mean real downtime, to help you evaluate how you are investing your time and to help you focus on the direction in which you are heading. “I don’t have time, I’m too busy.” I hear you saying. Diarise your Time Outs. Every day, give yourself at least 20 minutes to yourself, to focus on where you are investing your time and energy – make it a habit.

Before you start your work each day, find a quiet spot. 

Take a fresh attitude, a note book and a diary. You are now ready for the effective Time Out to get you on the right track for the day. I evaluate, “yesterday, plan the day ahead”. This is before the urgent issues of the day attempt to start calling the shots on the direction my attention will be focused.

Taking yourself and your partner away for the big picture Time Out, where you can both focus on where you want to head, is both fun and inspiring as well. In the James Home Services Group, we had an annual general meeting. A conference that was meant to reward the top franchisees and educate the group. Every year, it ended with a celebration for all. As the leader, I used this weekend as an annual trigger for me to evaluate the year past and refocus on the year ahead. Give yourself consistent Time Out to think.

When you are always in the reactive mode, the fires that turn up in your day will eventually burn you out.

 

The Real Plan

I don’t mean the formal business plan, although they are also very useful. I’m talking about a plan for your future, family, business, and all things that are important to you. Where is your adventure heading? What is it going to look like when you get there? Throw in every single detail that comes to mind. I mean everything you plan to achieve on this cool, exciting adventure.

Then evaluate again. If you don’t really want that new house on the water or the Rolex, draw a line through it. The things you take off your list will help give you clarity as to what direction you don’t want to go. Don’t make it what other people think you should do or be.

This is not a “wish list” but a plan for your future.

 

Make a Definite Decision

What is the difference between a definite decision and a normal decision? The definition of definite tells the story. According to the Oxford Dictionary:Definite - Clearly stated or decided; not vague or doubtful.

It makes all the difference in the world. You may look at the menu when you go out to dinner and decide on the steak. Then, by the time the waiter gets to your table to take your order, you see the seafood platter and decide on that instead. Some decisions in your life aren’t “definite” and that is fine.

The decisions that form the foundations of your life’s work have to be definite decisions.  

 

Your Why

Ask yourself the question “why am I going this?” Find the spark that sets your soul on fire; the emotional drive that makes you keep going when things don’t go to plan. What keeps you moving when you hit the wall and you can’t see a way through? The reason you will not give up when you are faced with huge obstacles that mere mortals have not even considered attempting to defeat. The “why” that will give you the courage to face your greatest fears and take them on.

It is the same why that drives you to make time for the important family stuff, like shooting hoops with your 12-year-old son or jumping on the trampoline with your 9-year-old. Or, making time in your day to have lunch one-on-one with your wife.

As I write this paragraph, I look up at photos of the five people who have always been my why. My awesome children - Hayden, Cameron, Nadine, Rohan and Luke. I have always done my very best to be their inspiration, to show them first hand, how to be brave enough to chase their dreams.

“Your Why” is your personal true north, you find it and stay true to it, especially under pressure”

 

The Inventory

You have assets in your business and in your family life. Some are in both. It does sound very clinical even contradictory after Your Why. The pragmatic evaluation of the assets, weaknesses, threats and opportunities in your business and family life, is key to building an effective strategy to balance both parts of your life. It may even show you very clearly why you are out of balance.

If you are married to someone you really shouldn’t be, it will make it impossible to get your balance right. You will be spending more time at work to deliberately avoid the person at home, who you don’t want to be spending your life with. A divorce is terrible thing to go through, but staying married to someone you should have divorced is a lot more painful (believe me, I know).

If you have employees that are assets, then recognize them as such. If you have employees that are liabilities, then they should be dealt with as soon as possible.

 

Laying Down Your Foundations

Every great adventure requires a compelling mission.

The more compelling the mission, the more exciting the adventure will be. If you chase your dream and are brave on all fronts, you will create your own luck. Fortune does favor the brave and you do get a bigger rush this way. Your mission should have clear foundations on all fronts.

The foundation for your “family” mission is the first foundation to address. Create a clear picture of your personal ethic. What do you believe it means to be a true parent, spouse, friend, brother or sister, son or daughter? This is a big question, these are the foundations you will use when you make decisions.

The business foundations have to be consistent with your foundations at home. You can’t be honest, caring, loving, and pragmatic at home, then turn into lying, selfish, hateful and back-stabbing the moment you walk into the office. The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde thing will blow up in your face.

I have dealt with many people who think they can play both sides to the middle and “play people” to suit themselves. They will even argue they are different at work but, they are not. The business person who cheats at work, will also cheat at home.

You may think you’re smart enough to get away with it. Let me tell you, you are not. The people around you get to know you and although they will probably not call you out, someone will. The man in the mirror, he knows for sure.

If you deliver on your mission, you have every right to demand the same from those in your life.

If you are a loving, supportive, fun, caring, honest, faithful, hardworking, and giving spouse, you shouldn’t expect, or accept anything less from your partner.

 

Document your family and business mission based on your personal foundations - be clear, definite and long term focused.

Robert James : Best Selling Author of Balance: How To Make Your Business Work For Your Family