| Greetings! It's ironic that those of you who could most benefit from reading this email might think you're too busy to take the time to read it. Too many mission-based entrepreneurs fall into the trap of letting their work take over their lives and eat up all their time. Instead of experiencing the freedom and joy they hoped their business would bring them, they suffer from not enough time, flexibility, or freedom to enjoy their lives.
People who are passionate about their mission often get so busy that they don't take vacations any more, and they work nights and weekends. If this continues long enough, they lose touch with that part of themselves that knows how to really play and enjoy life, they forget how they used to love to spend their time, and they lose touch with their personal goals. They become so identified with their business or non-profit venture, that it literally becomes their identity, and they cease to see the possibility of having the life they once dreamed of living.
Can you relate at all? Most entrepreneurs I know seem to suffer with this to some degree.
Even though I've taught hundreds of entrepreneurs how manage their time better, and how to be more proactive, productive, efficient, and balanced in their lives, I still struggle with this myself.
Just ask my girlfriend, Nok. She can get pretty frustrated with my workaholic tendencies.
I'd like to propose a radical solution for this common problem. It's called "starting with the end in mind".
Let's start by designing the life you want to live, then your business can support that vision.
I suggest that you start with your "Ultimate Goal" in mind - the life you want to live. Then, working backwards from there, you can design your business so that it leads towards that objective. It sets the bar high, where it should be. It forces you to design your business so it actually has the potential to take you where you really want to go.
What are your highest priorities? What is truly important to you in life? This will form the basis of your "life vision", which should precede the vision for your business. Ultimately, your business is just a vehicle to take you where you want to go.
In addition to making a big contribution to the transformation needed on our planet today, I envision a life of balance, joy, peace, and adventure. A healthy life.
So, in honor of that vision, I now plan my vacations WAY in advance. So, no matter how absorbed I might get with my business, I know I'll be taking some needed breaks.
My girlfriend and I are taking the entire month of August to go on an extended road trip. We'll be traveling to the Bay Area, Santa Cruz, Yosemite, Brice Canyon, Zion, the Grand Canyon, Disneyland, etc.
Hopefully I'll find time to share some videos, pictures, and stories from the road. Nok is from Thailand and she has never experienced any of these places. We're looking forward to an adventure!
What is your life vision?
What tangible steps are you taking to actualize that vision?
Are you treating your business as a vehicle to take you where you want to go?
If we want a more healthy, just, sustainable planet, we need to be healthy and sustainable ourselves.
Here's to creating businesses that serve a triple bottom line (People, Planet, and Profit) while also empowering beautiful, healthy, balanced lives! |
