A Servant of Circumstance

Sunday, August 10, 2008

As I sit here watching the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie with my wife on a Sunday afternoon it makes me think about how time passes for the entrepreneur. Many people wish they could do more with their time. See more movies, play with their kids, go on vacation- just get more out or our lives.

I don't think it's unfair to say that it is critically more important though for those of us trying to build our own businesses, to be more proficient with our time. If you get down to the bottom level of why EVERYONE starts a business, one of the first two things to come out of their mouth is some version of "I want to be able to have more free time."

This translates into I want to work less hours and make more money, so I can do what I want to do, when I want to do it, with whom I want to do it with. We have each made a proclamation to the corporate world, our friends, and our families that we are smart enough to handle our own time. I suggest that the real question is not are you smart enough it's 'Are you disciplined enough'

I'm not going to sit here and tell you that you have to be this army drill sergeant barking off orders and time frames to yourself, but I sorta am!

One of the most eye opening exercises I ever did was when I was a personal trainer with one of your large gym chains, and would give my clients a journal assignment. I wanted everyone who trained with me to go home the first week we started and write down each and every piece of food, and gulp of liquid they put in their mouth. I don't know if you've ever tried anything like this, but it's a convicting exercise to see what actually ends up in your body after a week. If you wanted an even more entertaining read you could write down the times you ate or drank the items.

The point of this was obviously to keep people aware of why they were working out with me 3-5 days a week and still not losing weight or putting on the muscle they wanted. It was much more effective than any diet or pill that anyone could subscribe. Why? Because we are are own best critics and cheerleaders.

So are you letting life's circumstances happen to you and your business? Do me a favor and take a journal or notebook with you this week and write down what actions you take in your business for five days. Does your notebook look like that of a successful business owner, or does it look like one that is a servant of circumstance?

Jake