It’s not often (ever!) that I post twice in one day. But, today, just after posting an article about having “no excuses” I saw a news segment about a 16 year old boy at a local high school who’d been killed for being “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Driving home, the teenager was simply hit by the bullet of someone shooting randomly. While I know parents whose kids attend Norfolk Christian, I do not know this boy or his family. His funeral is scheduled for June 4th, and you can read more about him here.
I’m posting to say several things, inspired not only by this teen’s life and death, but by events leading up to this morning in my own life.
First, HERE I focus on profit, sales, success. While this is what you are likely here to read, my LIFE, my SCHEDULE, my FOCUS is so much broader than that. I do not shop, have expensive habits or care to “keep up with the Joneses.” Money for me is simple. It is about choice. It is about freedom. Money freedom = time freedom. And what REALLY drives me is the desire to live my life according to my own priorities.
The ENTIRE impetus behind my business is simple. I began working for myself so I could work my schedule around these guys. (See below.) I didn’t desire travel or fame or admiration. I wanted ONLY to be the primary care giver for the three most incredible kids in the universe– well, only one at the time, but three eventually. I didn’t want to have the bulk of their waking hours spent away from me. My commitment to them was non-negotiable. This simplicity in my drive was absolutely one of the contributing factors of my early success.
This is an old picture of them, but one I love. I believe they were 7, 9, and 11 here?
Fast forward a few years, and I found that I LOVED being a self-bosser. I loved that I could make more money when more was required. I ALSO loved that I was able to make TIME for homeschooling when I thought that was best and make MONEY for private school tuition when I thought that was best. I loved field trips and days off with my kids, farming with my Grandad and snuggling the kids when they were home from school for a day. Being my own boss was allowing me to be the MOM and WIFE I always wanted to be.
Put bluntly, at this stage, I was like a zealous new convert to Christianity. I LOVED my life and wanted EVERYONE AROUND ME to be a self-bosser too. I was a missionary for the entrepreneur movement. I believed EVERYONE should be their own boss. I mean, who wouldn’t want this??? =) I’ve since toned it down a bit.
My husband is an excellent employee. I have a very dear friend who works in marketing, but would never do her own thing. Her personality is opposite of mine, while our hearts are very united. I know this isn’t for everyone.
Right now, I’m rambling. But, my point is this:
There’s more to my business than just numbers and profit and sales goals. Being my own boss — PROFITABLY– provided me with the opportunity to live without sacrificing what’s most important. And sharing these profit hacks with others helps them do the same. THAT is what drives me.
YOu see, I KNOW that — like Mark Rodriguez’ example shows — this life doesn’t offer us a dress rehearsal. There’s no time to waste.
It’s funny. Last month, I mentioned to the Women Who WOW mastermind that I’d be sharing more of what I do in my time off. I wanted to show HOW MUCH TIME OFF I actually take. How short many of my “work days” are. In hopes of inspiring others. I’ll also be showing more of the realities… the disappointments, the early mornings, those very LONG days, the gut-wrenching, put it all on the line moments — you know, to keep it real. =)
While I pray for Mark’s family and friends, I vow to LIVE FULLY and to keep what’s most important FIRST. For me, this is Faith, Mister, Kids, Family, Friends, Ministry, and then finances. In that order.
Because anyone reading this is a self-bosser, I encourage you to go backwards and see WHY YOU’RE DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING. Life’s too short for anything that doesn’t truly matter. If you feel inclined, tell me why your business matters and what matters to you in business below.
