Tightrope: Working too hard? Time for some Management 101
— -- Hi, Gladys, I am doing extremely well in my travel business. But in order to maintain my current level of success I find myself working long and hard, 12 and 14 hour days. I would love to bring more balance into my life, especially since my husband constantly complains that I'm never home and my kids ages 10, 12 and 14 are becoming disobedient and not getting good grades in school. My husband says it's because I'm not home enough. How do I continue to have a successful business and pull my family back together? —C.T.
Long hours and hard work do not equal success. You don't have to work hard to be successful; you have to work smart. Working smart can help you reduce your hours and let you achieve a healthier balance between business and personal matters.
Many presumably successful business people I meet complain that their children are misbehaving and their marriages are coming apart because they are spending too much time with the business.
Family is the highest priority. We go to work to make a living in order to provide for ourselves and the family. But your business activity should not cause harm for your family.
Sometimes we get programmed with things that are said about entrepreneurs, such as the need to work long hours, the need to work hard or the idea that small business owners like to do everything themselves just to make sure that it gets done right. Sometimes these things are true, but most times they aren't. The ability to manage well is one of the foundations of being a good business person.
Before we can successfully manage a business, we should be able to manage ourselves. How are you managing yourself? It might help for you to take a closer look at your own ideas and behavior; it could help you discover and make needed changes. Take a bit of time and make an assessment of yourself. Start by becoming aware of your actions and even your thoughts.
You didn't give very much detail in your e-mail. However, here are a few steps to take a look at that might help to bring more balance, peace and harmony into your life.
