Hello SOTGC community,
It comes as no surprise that launching a startup requires a great commitment of time, energy, and financial resources. Let’s put the financial resources aside for a second – we know that it takes money to make money. Let’s talk about the time commitment required to start a business or a new product/company and how that fits into your personal life … if it even fits at all!
I’m not going to sugar coat it: Having my own business, whether it was a start-up product or a consulting firm, has always been a delicate juggle between my family and work. Forget about ME time. Some days stink and some days are awesome … it’s all about finding that balance between the two that will keep you sane. On a daily basis, it’s pretty much a tug-of-war between spending time with my family and feeling like I’m neglecting work, or, on the other hand, focusing on work and feeling like I’m not there for my family. If you’ve ever been in these hot red shoes, you know the feeling.
So, as important as it is to prioritize the launch of your business, you absolutely need to prioritize the launch of yourself as a business owner! That means you have to play secretary for yourself and make a list on a daily AND weekly basis, prioritize, and stick to it!!! Then the hard part: Clock out and let it go. Listen, I know it’s easier said than done, and I’m guilty too. I struggle with this concept all the time. But the truth is, you CAN have it all … you simply have to hire yourself as your own secretary!
What that means is stepping away for a minute from being you and creating a fair schedule that you would create for somebody else that you care about. No, I don’t mean writing a list in the morning of 30 things that you expect to be done in one day that should really require one week.
You must have realistic expectations! Realistic meaning what fits into your life, while maintaining your sanity … much like not trying to fit a size 9 foot into a size 7 shoe no matter how badly you want them. It just doesn’t work!
Plan your schedule and life to allow time for realistic business hours, family, creativity – and, most importantly, YOU! Make sure to replenish your well so you have enough to give back. You’ll know if you’re on the right track if, on this crazy road of launching a business, you still have passion for it, you love it, your family is not complaining, and you look and feel happy and healthy.
If you can do that and truly have time for it all, then trust me, launching your company will be a piece of cake …or as easy as putting on a pair of Louboutins or Jimmy Choo’s or Birkenstocks or whatever your happy is! Cheers to you!
Till next time … Think it. Dream it. Do it.
Kelli
