Don’t Let Your Business Blur Your Priorities
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It’s not really about the money.
It is…but it isn’t.
I’ve built an entire consulting company that is solely focused on increasing a company’s revenue, profit, and valuation.
Yes, that’s money.
But what am I actually trying to accomplish? I’m trying to help entrepreneurs and their teams live great lives.
In my opinion, that requires money. Money gives you options, flexibility, choice, freedom.
In order to fulfill the mission of your business (and your team) — and most entrepreneurs have some good they’re trying to do for the world — you need to make money.
Financially successful companies help entrepreneurs (and their teams) achieve their own goals.
But the money isn’t an end unto itself.
Neither is the mission of the business.
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What does it actually mean to live a great life?
The answer is personal, yes. And I’m not here to deliver a sermon on how you choose to live.
But I will say this.
It’s helpful, now and then, to take stock of your priorities.
(So why not now, it’s as good a time as any?)
Are you connecting the dots between what you do and why you do it? And who you do it for?
Many of us are motivated not just by the feeling of accomplishment, but by a desire to take care of the ones we love.
There’s always another thing you could do for your business. There’s always something more your business needs. It will take as much time and energy as you are willing to give it.
Be careful.
Don’t get so caught up that you miss out on the moments with the ones you love.
What you do in your business may be FOR them.
But that’s not the same as being WITH them.
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The circle of people I must spend time with is small: my family.
Allyson, my wife of over 20 years. She has supported me through the wild ride of entrepreneurship - and she has modeled many character traits I admire and aspire to (hard work, discipline, always doing what she says she’s going to do, putting her family first, etc…).
My two kids, who are growing up right before my eyes. I’m so proud of who they are and who they are becoming.
All the money in the world can’t take their place.
The pursuit of growing a company without the balance of other things— especially people— you love is a life of potential regret.
Whoever those people are for you: take a moment today to look them in the eye. Tell them you care. Make a plan to spend quality time together.
I have plenty of regrets in business—bad decisions, chances not taken, lessons I learned the hard way.
But I never regret choosing to be with the people I love.
I’m confident: neither will you.
