Is Your Business An Idol?

What is an idol?

Essentially, it's an object of worship. It can?be a statue, a celebrity, or even your business.

Anything that captures your affection, admiration, and focus can be an idol.

For many entrepreneurs, our business can be that idol, risking the danger of diverting our focus away from our family.

This week, we interviewed Stu and Trish Fuhlendorf.

Stu was a high-powered executive who guided three businesses through successful IPOs. He had all the power, money, and fortune a person could want.

Until it almost landed him in jail and cost him his marriage and family.

Not Driven By Money But Achievements

Interestingly, he said he was never driven by money and neither was Trish. But that drive to succeed was taking his attention away from his marriage.

Each new deal and successful IPO was like a drug that kept him addicted and wanting more.

He turned to alcohol, became practically manic, distanced himself from Trish and the family, and got into deep trouble with the S.E.C. (Security and Exchange Commission).

Everything is captured in his book "Wall Street to Well."

Idolatry Can Be Subtle

When you hear stories like Stu's it's easy to think, "How could he let himself go down that road?"

These conditions have a subtle way of taking over your life.? Like a drug, the first dose of success feels good and you want to do it again. It's fun at first but after each dose, it leaves you wanting more and bigger.?

Soon, it's all you can think of and you stop listening to the warnings of people you love.?

One Method Of Prevention

So how can you make sure your business doesn't become an idol?

For one thing, stay humble and listen to your spouse and those who care about you. When?you're in it,?it's hard to see the warning signs. But the?people that love you can see it from the outside.?

Make sure you have those regular points of connection with your spouse and develop healthy boundaries between business and home.

If you're going to get addicted, make it your spouse and family.?

Here's to your success,

Robert Fukui

P.S. If you want to pick our brains, feel free to book a complimentary discovery call We’d be happy to help you win in marriage and business.

Biography: Robert and his wife Kay Lee run a consulting business that assists entrepreneur couples to create better balance in life and business. If you need a roadmap for greater work-life balance, buy their newly released book, Tandem: The married entrepreneurs' guide for greater work-life balance.