For many of us, this phrase is a reminder of that classic movie Karate Kid, and brings up images of Daniel-san painting the fence and waxing the car. For me the images are more personal, and I now add an addition to the end of the phrase – “and Live”. Too many of us are living to work, and we forget to take a deep breath and enjoy life.
My reminder came about 2 seconds after the Semi crashed into the back of my car at 65mph on the Interstate. I was simply driving to work like I always do, thinking about all the meetings on my schedule, focused on doing all it takes to run a business, when reality crashed into me, sending me spinning into a concrete wall. It felt like forever, but it was over in about 3 seconds, and when I looked up to see I was facing backwards in the median and checked that I could still move everything, I realized I was still holding my breath. I exhaled, took another deep breath and exhaled again before I could start thinking clearly, and the first thought was, “Good, I’m alive and nothing is broken”. And a new life perspective was born.
It is really easy to get caught up in the drudgery of owning and running a business. It is easy to allow our business to run our life, yet how easy is it to simply stop, take a couple of deep breaths, and look at how our entwined our business is with our life? Is your Business supporting your Life or is your Life supporting your Business?
If you’re feeling bogged down by the daily grind, it’s time to change that and remember to breathe. Here are a few tips:
1. Reassess your vision and goals.
Take some time to reflect on why you started your business in the first place. What were your initial goals and aspirations? Have they changed over time? Reconnecting with your original vision, or re-defining if needed, can help you refocus and reenergize your efforts. As a coach, I often take my clients through an alignment process, to make sure their vision for their business supports the life they want.
2. Seek inspiration and support.
Surround yourself with positive and inspiring people who understand the challenges of entrepreneurship. Join a business networking group, attend industry events, or find a mentor who can offer guidance and support.
3. Embrace change and be willing to adapt.
If your business is running you, it’s time for a change. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new ideas and take calculated risks. Identify your pain points and come up with a plan to do something different.
4. Invest in yourself and your business.
Continually learn and develop new skills to get a fresh perspective. Invest in professional development opportunities, attend workshops, and read books and articles on business and entrepreneurship. Continuously learning will help you stay confident, more refreshed and open to change.
Remember, you are the captain of your own ship. Take the helm, chart your course, and navigate your way to a fulfilling business journey that doesn’t suck the life out of you.
Along the way, take time to smell the roses, hug your kids, kiss your spouse/significant other – Don’t Forget to Breathe and Live! That’s what owning a business should be doing for you. If it’s not, you might be doing it wrong. Let me know if we can help.
Author, Mark McNulty, Business Coach