Business founders, owners, and leaders: consider the following two sets of statements. Which set describes you best?
Set #1:
- I typically check into the office around 8:00 and leave work by 6:00 Monday through Friday.
- I regularly enjoy uninterrupted time in the evenings and on the weekends for myself, family, and friends.
- I usually have a manageable level of business-related stress; sometimes it is higher, but only for short intervals.
Set #2:
- I am at the office or on-call 24/7.
- People actually have uninterrupted time in the evenings or on the weekends?
- I live on a cocktail of adrenaline and cortisol.
If the first set of statements is true for you, congratulations! You are in a much-envied position. But if, like a vast number of business founders, owners, and leaders, you felt like you were looking in the proverbial mirror when you read the second set of statements, then your business is controlling you rather than the other way around.
When your work is consuming your life, there are two places to look for the source of both problems and solutions:
Something in you needs to be addressed
and/or
something in your business operations needs to be addressed.
In this blog, we will probe how to assess what might need to be addressed in you. In our next blog, we will turn to areas that may need to be addressed in your business.
Four Transformational Questions
One proven way to discern whether something within yourself needs to be addressed is by seeking insight through targeted questions. Following are four questions for your consideration.
Question #1: “What is the life I want to live?”
Gino Wickman, founder of the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®), declared “First, you have to believe that you are worthy of living your ideal life.” You can’t live your ideal life unless you know what it looks like. In the stress-filled world of business leadership, it is easy to let the image of your ideal life become clouded or distorted.
So, take the time to envision life as you would like it to be. What would “work-life balance” look like? What would a great work day entail? What would not be in it? How would you relate to your family and friends? What hobbies or interests would you pursue? Be clear. Your ideal life will not fall into your lap; you have to strive for it. Knowing your goal is the first step in reaching it.
Question #2: "What work-related personal issues are preventing me from having the life I want to live?"
With the image of the life you want to live firmly in mind, identify the work-related personal issues that are creating gaps between the ideal and the real. There will likely be systemic business issues, too, but it is helpful to start with the personal issues since these are predominantly within your control. Business issues typically involve more people and processes and hence are more complex to resolve.
Work-related personal issues can be very wide ranging, including:
- Difficulty in setting boundaries between work and personal life
- Striving for perfection in every task
- Overcommitting or taking on too many responsibilities within the business
- Burnout caused by persistent stress and pressure
- Lack of prioritization and “the tyranny of the urgent”
- Reluctance or difficulty in delegating tasks to others
- Inefficient time management
- An overwhelming fear of failure
- Imposter syndrome
- Constant connectivity through technology
- Lack of conflict management skills
- Micromanaging tasks rather than trusting colleagues and employees
Question #3: "Why do these issues exist?"
Before attempting to solve for the issues, be sure to get to the root of the problems. This will help you create targeted and effective solutions. One method for drilling down is the “five whys.”
The "five whys" method is a problem-solving technique aimed at identifying the root cause of an issue by asking the question "why" repeatedly. The premise is that by asking "why" five times, you can uncover deeper layers of causation and address the fundamental source of a problem rather than just its symptoms.
Consider how this might unfold with one of the issues listed in Question #2: "Overcommitting or taking on too many responsibilities within the business."
- Why do I overcommit and take on too many responsibilities in the business?
Because I feel pressured to prove the business's capabilities.
- Why do I feel pressured to prove the business's capabilities?
Because I worry about my reputation.
- Why do I worry about my reputation?
Because any perceived shortcomings in the business feel like a reflection on me.
- Why do any perceived shortcomings in the business feel like a reflection on me?
Because I have a deep-seated belief that my personal worth is directly tied to the success of the business, leading me to seek validation through its achievements.
- Why do I have a deep-seated belief that my personal worth is directly tied to the success of the business, leading me to seek validation through its achievements?
Because I have not developed a strong sense of personal identity and self-worth independent of the business.
In this example, the "five whys" method has uncovered a deeper issue related to the individual's belief system and the potential lack of a robust personal identity, emphasizing the need to explore and nurture various aspects of life for overall well-being and fulfillment beyond the business's success.
Remember, the effectiveness of the "five whys" method lies in its simplicity and iterative nature. It encourages a thoughtful exploration of the underlying factors contributing to a problem, fostering a more comprehensive understanding for effective problem resolution.
Question #4: "What am I going to do to address these issues?"
Having brought the issues and their root causes into the light, you are now prepared to seek solutions. If you have multiple issues to address, it is beneficial to prioritize them so that you focus your energies. This will help you achieve noticeable wins faster, building momentum and hope.
To address the issues effectively, consider involving others in your journey. Seek counsel, support, and accountability from trusted individuals. That may include family members, friends, professional colleagues, a counselor, or an executive coach. These external perspectives can provide valuable insights and a broader viewpoint on potential solutions. And, by enlisting the support of others, you create a network that reinforces your commitment to change.
As you develop solutions, be sure to establish a plan that includes actionable steps, timelines, and mechanisms for tracking progress. Embrace the journey with the understanding that small, consistent efforts can lead to significant improvements over time.
Take the First Step
Recognizing and addressing personal work-related issues is a pivotal step toward creating the life you envision. As you move forward, keep in mind that transformation is a gradual process, and each positive change contributes to a more fulfilling existence. Ultimately, you are taking control of your narrative and steering yourself toward a more balanced and satisfying life.
Tired of having work consume your life?
Contact me today; I will be glad to help you regain control!
