Recently, I had the opportunity to exchange emails with a business prospect—a potential new member of PRO, the peer advisory boards I facilitate for business owners. I had invited him to attend a board meeting, so he could experience the benefits firsthand. He told me he would be unable to attend because he is very busy and works 60 hours per week.
Being in a reflective mood, I wondered why someone would want to work 60 hours per week. Do they think they must set an example for others? Do they feel that because they own their own business, they must work harder than others do? Do they think that no one else could do it as well? Is it a matter of trust…do they fear an employee would screw up the job?
Or, do they think that it's "macho" to work 60 hours per week? That they’re possibly saving money by doing it themselves? Then again, some people are compulsive obsessive and have a psychological need to do it all.
In my early years in business, I too believed I had to work 60 hours per week—that the business was built around me. That I was the engine that made it run. Over time, I learned this wasn't true. I learned one of my favorite all-time expressions: don’t do well what you shouldn’t do at all.
I realized that my employees were the value and strength of my company. Yes, I did play a major part, but the implementation, maintenance of systems, and day-to-day activities had to be handled by the employee team. I came to the realization that if I only worked on the small stuff, we would never get to the big stuff!
This reminds me of another business owner I knew who never had time to make it to a PRO meeting. When I asked him why, he explained that he was busy making deliveries. I then asked what salary his delivery people were paid. He responded that he paid them about $10.00 per hour. Unable to keep my mouth shut, I asked him if he thought he was a $10.00 per hour employee. I’ve observed that many business owners are busy, busy, busy doing low level work that is only worth $10 to $15 per hour. The key question is…why?
Do you fall into this trap? Think about what value you could bring your business and life if you worked only in areas that would bring you the greatest return and pleasure. Do you work primarily in your areas of strength? Have you thought about the opportunities you are missing because you are too involved in work you should not be doing? Ask yourself: are you getting bigger clients, discovering breakthrough ideas, and observing industrial or technological trends that can make or break your business? Or are you too "busy" for that?
Personally, I find that the most fun and satisfaction I get from business comes from doing new things and learning new skills and concepts. Doing the same work over and over again isn't fun or satisfying--at least, not to me.
An example of working on your strength is writing this and other articles. English was never my forte in school. I couldn’t spell or punctuate worth a damn, and I still can't. I was very good in concept, but not the mechanics. So how am I able to do this? I write the rough draft—the concepts, ideas, and examples—and have a very good team clean up my work. Find ways to overcome your weaknesses, and you can better utilize your strengths.
The adage of "working on your business and not in your business" is powerful. It will propel your business to the next level. Delegation is a risk, but it is also a necessity. To work less, hire people better than you. Do not hire mediocrity.
If you would like to get out of the grind of excessive work hours and enjoy life more, consider joining a PRO peer advisory board or even getting some personal coaching. Please email or call me 800 818-0150 to discuss how I can be of help in setting goals, creating action plans, and getting email me you where you want to be by maximizing your strengths.
Life's is too short not to fully enjoy its benefits. If working 60 hours fulfills you--don't stop, work more. But if you would like to "smell the flowers," we can help you clear your nose.
