Well, what do you think? If you’re starting an online business, do you have any days off?
Is life a living hell once you start your own business? How do you ever have time to have fun and relax?
I’m in Door County, Wisconsin today working on one of my family vacation destination websites while at the same time attending a wedding of my wife’s best friend from high school. Although the “work” I’m doing is a bit stressful right now – sales, sales, sales – I’ve realized one thing, if you do something you really love and you’re passionate about, your business becomes more a lifestyle than a job.
If you’re doing what you love to do for your business, what does time off really mean then?
I was reading an article about entrepreneurship and success and thought you all might want to hear this:
…I’ve seen a lot of entrepreneurs profiled and interviewed. And countless times I’ve seen entrepreneurs express this sentiment: “I don’t remember the last time I had a vacation.” “I don’t have time to take any time off.” “I hope I make a boatload of money someday so I can ‘make up’ all the time my family has sacrificed.” To all of that, I say: BS. Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to mean the elimination of any other priorities in your life. I used to think that way. But now I make sure I take time for the things in my life that matter (family, community, personal time)…So my advice: If you’re an entrepreneur, for Pete’s Sake, take some time off!
My question to you all is the following:
If your primary reason for starting your own business was to get away from the 9 to 5 grind of working for someone else and to become financially free, how do you manage to keep all the priorities in order (family, community, personal time, etc.)?
9 replies on “Do Entrepreneurs Ever Get Time Off?”
Being financially free was only a part of why I wanted my own business. I do what I love and I take time off when I feel tired. If my business becomes a “job”, then I’m no better off than I was before!
I always remember my priorities – My family is why I wanted my own business. My husband and I share the duties and each like different aspects better. But, we do take time off and we just “do it”. The hardest part is letting ourselves relax and not think about what we left at home!
Hey Cassie,
It’s a tough balancing act. One thing I’m feeling stronger and stronger about is the importance of looking to hire things out as you grow the business. One of my favorite books, The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, talks all about this.
There are 3 types of people: the technician, the manager and the entrepreneur. If we’re always the “technician” doing all the day to day jobs, eventually we’ll burn ourselves out. Managers watch the numbers, maintain the day to day stuff, and set up the policies and procedures. Entrepreneurs are what we really want to be (in my opinion). They are all about the GROWTH! They look for new opportunities while overseeing the rest of the stuff.
If we aren’t entrepreneurs, eventually our new businesses will fizzle out and we’ll be back to a JOB (Just Over Broke) and even more stressed because it’s our own.
You absolutely have the 3 parts right. Vacation is not the only reason either, if sickness strikes and you do not want to go under than you are forced to hire out and this is a real eye opener. You know how you think it always happens to the other guy? Better to have all bases covered.
Stress is never a good thing.
Amen Linda! Stress usually equals dropping the ball in some aspect of life. I love entrepreneurship for the freedom if offers – but it’s based on a good plan and detailed performance goals too.
Thanks so much for the comment!
All I can say is you have to have some sort of balance. If you let it, your business can be your life rather than part of your life.
For sure – running a business can be so overwhelming if you let it – especially online since it never “shuts down” or goes on vacation. I’m in the process right now of putting together an independent contractors packet to start expanding the businesses for that very reason: I can’t do it all and stay sane!
Let me know if there are things you recommend to stay away from the time demands of running a business.
Thanks for the comment!
Nate, I agree that everyone needs self care, especially when developing a business. If you don’t take time for yourself you can burn out. Even if you are doing what you love, taking time for family and friends helps to keep balance in your life. Hiring others to help seems like a positive way to go. Relationships are so important. For myself I always put family 1st. Maintaining relationships, and keeping your life in balance can only support your own personal growth!
Great comment Nancy. Prioritizing and putting first things first is important to maintain balance. What specific things are you doing to balance your new online endeavor and your personal growth?
Nate, I am waiting for a new computer to come. It should be here tomorrow. Right now about all I can do on line is check email my gmail and aol. I was hoping I could keep my old computer going for a bit longer, but it crashed again. I got it back up and running. but I can’t print, can’t get into my hotmail I can’t listen to anything on line.
Right now I am grieving. A cat that I had had for almost 15 years passed away a few days ago. It was a real shcok to find him dead, especially when he didn’t seem to have any health issues, except for a touch of arthritis. Even though he was cat, he was like a member of the family.
Anyway, once I get my new computer I can get back onto my site and begin updating it on a dailey basis, just one of the goals I had set before my computer crashed. I tried going to the local library, but getting computer time was almost impossible. I didn’t realize so many people use the computers at the library.
Nancy