Serious-minded people have few ideas. People with ideas are never serious. ~Paul Valery
A few days ago, I posted this video about whether you are serious when it comes to your business. The point was that too many business “owners” aren’t really treating their business like, well, a business.
Instead, it’s a glorified hobby – one where they are not tracking key metrics, holding themselves to deadlines or consistently, systematically seeking clients. You know, some of the tried and true hallmarks of a business owner. No matter how un-glamorous they may seem, these basics are classic business activities that must be done.
That doesn’t mean that your business shouldn’t be fun. It doesn’t mean that you need to lose your passion and have all the energy sucked out of you by the “business-y” stuff. It doesn’t mean that you have to get all pinch-faced and start wearing a green eyeshade.
Some of the most energized, fun, engaging and exciting people I know are business owners who are not just running a business but who are building a legacy. These businesses are far more serious than what many small business owners intend to create (which is a nice income with some flexibility and a great group of customers) when you look at it in terms of the time, capital and creativity demands.
They can also be the most fulfilling thing that their owners have ever done. Being serious is about making solid plans, taking action and tweaking or changing to make it better. It’s about watching the metrics. It’s about getting the right people beside and behind you. It is NOT about losing the fun.
The Big Question:: What does “taking your business seriously” mean to you? If it’s about not having any fun, slaving away at a desk all day and missing life, you need a serious (pun intended) overhaul on your viewpoint. Challenge yourself to take your business seriously but not yourself as much. Look for the fun while you focus on the business success. Keep an eye on the store – while you wow the customers.
Being serious in what matters to your business success often means more progress in a shorter amount of time. Less spinning wheels, more solid traction. Less money woes, more newfound income. Less doubt, more confidence. In short, a quick recipe to make that business work.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
So very true. It’s easy to get too serious and simultaneously too broke in business. The balancing act of fun AND accountability make for profits.
That’s what I like. Why would you want to spend so much of your life working at something you don’t like doing? Being intentional about your business and being serious about business don’t have to be in the same sentence. Tweaking that perspective is what it can be about!
Sue Bock
http://couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com
Jennifer, what a great reminder to stay balanced in your business . . . I know that I need to take action to reach my goals, but I find that the more playfulness I bring to my day, the more easily everything gets done. Seriousness has its place when assessing results, setting intentions and planning actions, but then I have to treat it all with a lightness and detachment that allows things to unfold as they should.
This is excellent! Thank you for the reminder to integrate some fun into our business
Finding the balance for fun and hustling is extremely important and as entrepreneurs its easy to forget about our need for a little relaxation.
Hi Jennifer,
As the self proclaimed Queen of FUN, No Matter What! I could probably stand to take my business a lil more seriously. I launched my website 6 months into my year long road trip. Soon I’ll be celebrating my one year of travel and kicking off my first tele-class. It is possible to have FUN and do business at the same time. However, I’m looking forward to giving In Her Element its due diligence once I land in Phoenix this fall.
Thanks for bringing balance to this often lopsided equation — xo
I love this – redefining what being “serious” about your business means. I’ll admit when I first started, I wasn’t treating it like a business. I thought I was, but I wasn’t. I wasn’t putting myself out there with consistency, and I was just waiting for people to come to me. When I questioned myself to find out why, I realized I had a fear of getting too busy… so busy that I would be consumed by my business and wouldn’t be able to handle it all. I reminded myself that I’m in charge of booking my calendar, and I can spread out my appointments as much as I need to! Phew – what a relief =)
What a great reminder. It really is a careful balance in business – passion & creativity vs ‘the serious stuff’! I agree that the serious stuff really does matter and is key to a successful and profitable business, as long as you also remember to have fun with what you do!
Yes!! Thank you — this is always a balancing act for me. I’m off to play a little tonight and will do it with you and this post in mind. Big love!
This is such a great reminder, finding the balance between taking your business seriously and having fun is so imperative. After pouring my energy into launching my first business and then finding along the way that a lot of it needed to change, I lost a bit of the fun in the process. Things started to feel more like a chore. I think I need to reclaim that fun back and get more serious. Thanks for this!
ahhhhhhhhhh… such power in this wisdom… one that has taken me this year to even begin to come to. First I took it so seriously that it made me ill. I was completely gripped! and not having any fun! scrambling instead to learn the HOW. And then the moment hit where I was actually able to PLAY… to do my webinars and my program = THE MOST ECSTATIC FUN EVA! and yet.. without all the effort and discipline to learn the platforms and endless programs and the Tao of online Biz from the pros, I wouldn’t be here.
This is the excerpt from your piece I am printing out! Thank you, Jennifer. I always feel strengthened and wizened by your work!
“What does “taking your business seriously” mean to you? If it’s about not having any fun, slaving away at a desk all day and missing life, you need a serious (pun intended) overhaul on your viewpoint. Challenge yourself to take your business seriously but not yourself as much. Look for the fun while you focus on the business success. Keep an eye on the store – while you wow the customers.”
Jennifer, this is music to my ears my friend! Excellent as always! ! I totally agree with you that you must treat your business like a business and find the sweet spot between fun & business. It definitely takes some trial and error but its so worth it and key to being successful and feel more balanced while dancing in the madness. Great reminder! xo