Entrepreneurs want it all. Freedom. Autonomy. Good money. Great work. Creative expression. Downtime. And more.
Can you really have it all?
In today’s Build Your Business Challenge, Actionable Advice in 60 Seconds or Less, I have the answer for you in a simple 8-letter word.
I can’t wait for you to watch my controversial opinion and tell me what you think!
Are you accepting this week’s action challenge?
First, tweet about it!
Then, declare it in the comments below and go take action!
If you have insights, experiences, or stories about this week’s challenge, please share them in the comments as well.
I want to build a thriving business – BUT – switching off my email and phone after 7pm on most nights (esp when I’m with my stepson) are a total Must Happen. I appreciate that this means I’ll grow slower than if I was on call 24/7 – but I’m ok with that!
I have to say, Jenny, you are an inspiration in this field – that you only have certain days where you coach etc. I’m making those rules NOW, early on, so that I can stick to them.
Thank you!!
Love that you know what you want, Marsha! It’s fully empowering to take this approach and recognize the tradeoffs you choose to make. Way to go!!
I absolutely love that you’ve shared this! Back in my former life, I believed I could “do it all”…all the time. The result? Total exhaustion, frustration, overwhelm and burnout. Thankfully, I got a wake up call and realized there’s more to life. Now, tradeoffs ooze through my pores and I make choices that reflect self-love and self-care; and, words like balance, stillness, and restoration infuse my life. And, yes, the tradeoff is my business doesn’t evolve as quickly as I’d like but I’m okay with that….well, at least most days. 🙂
I certainly can relate to believing I could do it all, too! Dare I confess that I still wish I could!! 🙂 But the reality is that we can’t have it all right now, so we must take care of ourselves and make tradeoffs. Sometimes that means business goes slower, but that’s a-okay. Thank you for chiming in here!
I love this framing of the question! We need to remember that “having” it all also entails “taking care of” or “focusing on” it all. When it’s stated that way, it becomes pretty clear that we wouldn’t want “it all” at the same time — we want to be able to do lots of amazing things in our lives, but we want to feel deeply connected to them all, which means giving them our focus in turn, not simultaneously! Seen that way, “trade-offs” sounds less like “compromise” and more like “intention”, “attention”, and “being grounded”. Thanks for this awesome way to think about such a core issue for entrepreneurs (and I think especially women entrepreneurs…)!
That is profound Megan. We choose to turn our attention toward whatever we want to whenever we want to. That is the gift of being an entrepreneur and definitely not a compromise.
Love your rephrase, Karlie. “The gift of being an entrepreneur is that we have choice!” Thanks for that!
Love the way you put that, Megan! You got it right that we often think of tradeoffs as a bad word. I think it’s empowering to realize that it’s all a matter of choosing what’s important to us — as opposed to trying to achieve the impossible all at once. Thanks for being here!
I’m willing to trade hours of “freedom” (and a few volunteer activities I LOVE) for long hours of focused work at my desk, if it means I can support my family while sharing my talents and vision.
Yay for claiming what you want for yourself! Thanks for sharing your tradeoff reality check here with us, Lisa!
I was just telling a friend today that I’ve given up on finding balance–it’s all about juggling, and some balls WILL drop. Those are tradeoffs!! I need more time to focus on a recent re-brand and new offerings AND spending quality time with my boys while they’re on summer break. The tradeoff? I’m taking a “Tabbatical” in July, not accepting new clients or projects. It will be hard, but worth it!
That’s so funny, a Tabbatical!! Love that you see your choices for what they are — choices! And you’re making the smart tradeoffs for you. Way to go!
Thanks, Jenny! I had a lot of catching up to do once we were back to school July 21 (early, I know) but it was well worth it to have time to refocus and rest!
I want a booming business, full of amazing clients and products, bringing me a multi 6 figure income. I want to be the best Mum I can be, to the baby girl I waited so long for, more though so my trade off is that my business is growing much slower than I hoped and dreamed it would. Some days I struggle with that, most days I just enjoy the freedom to do both in different measures, depending on what the day brings.
I love and appreciate your honesty! We do want all of those amazing things, but trade offs are reality. High five for acknowledging your conscious choice here. You can create what you want in due time. Thanks for sharing here!