When was the last time you cheated your family? You might ask, "What kind of question is that? Cheat my family? Never happened!" you exclaim!
But, think about it.
Wasn't there that time when your son was in the grade school play, and you couldn't make it because it was during the daytime, and you just couldn't get away from your business to see him stand on the stage as the talking tree? Or, maybe, it was your daughter who wanted you to come to her last middle school basketball game, but that emergency came up at your business that only you could handle so you missed her making the winning shot? Maybe it was your spouse who you had promised that nothing would keep you from that luncheon date the two of you set a month ago, only to have to cancel because one of your key team members didn't show up for work?
Remember, the question dealt with cheating your family, not cheating on your family. There is a big difference. Not being there for what should have been special moments, but instead, became disappointments -- that is cheating your family of something that could have lasted a lifetime; a precious memory, perhaps.
When was it that you lost control of your business and, as a result, lost control of your life? Was it the first day you decided to go into business for yourself, or did it come later after the business was a success that you, all of a sudden, found out that you worked for the business instead of the business working for you and that your family came after your business, not the other way around?
If any of this sounds familiar, it about time you took control; control of both your business and your life. Have you come to that point in your life where the business is not as much fun as it was because you are putting in unreasonable hours? Is cash flow (or lack thereof) a continuous headache because your business has been stretched to the max? Have you concluded that there is just no one out there to bring on board who could lift some of the burden from your shoulders and maybe even take over for you some day?
If you could answer 'yes' to any of the above, then you have reached that point that many business owners reach, where you have to decide to take one of the four avenues as you reach that fork on the road.
These four avenues are:
- You can try to sell out, and get a value that you think the business is worth, and go to work for someone else;
- You can try to downsize the business, so that you have more time (and likely an even greater cash flow problem than now);
- You can continue doing what you are doing, getting the same results, and maybe an even poorer family situation; or,
- You can change the way your business is structured, and run so that you can put your family before your business.
To change your business, however, you first have to change yourself. In order for you to change, in most cases, it will require help.
It will take someone to whom you are accountable, that someone who is uncompromising and will push you to make the changes, and make them permanent.
It will require someone who will take that very objective view of what you have to do differently, and be very honest with you at all times. This is where your ActionCOACH will enter, and help you take control of your life.
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