Welcome to prison, how long will you be staying?

By: Nate Lindquist, CEO of Innerspire

Design a business not a cell

Two thirds of everyone working in the US thinks their work sucks.  So, you’re thinking, “Huh, really?  That can’t be, I love my job. I’m fulfilled.  I went to school to do this!  This is who I am. Plus – I get long weekends and can leave work at 4:30pm…” Gotcha!  More than likely on most occasions you’re living for the weekend baby!  Just like everyone else, you probably took career advice from a 17 to 23 year old. (Yah – I mean you.)  You can choose something else.

Here’s some advice that I try to live every day and I’ve gotten really good at it, but practice makes perfect.  It’s common knowledge.  I’ll slant it toward you business owners out there, since that’s the audience most likely to be reading this anyways.  Besides, everyone is his or her own personal services corporation – right?  Even employees are business owners, with a very small staff.  So here goes.  Take these 4 tips to heart and try ‘em in your own life (and business) today.

1. If you don’t like the way your business is treating you, then change how you treat your business. For example: If you’ve taught your business that it runs your life, then it will keep running your life.  If you carefully and consistently choose the highest and best use of your time, energy and focus by first choosing where you really want to go and what you want from your biz, then you’ll become the designer of your business and therefore of that large piece of your life.
2. Choose Adventure, it isn’t just for kids, the rich and Richard Branson. Tic, toc, tic, toc…. That’s the egg timer of your life.  Stop bitching about what you have and go get that something else.  Reminder to self… “YOU’RE THE BOSS” of every choice you make.  Every 9-year-old kid knows what’s exciting and how to make it exciting!  I cranked out lawn mowing, raking and chores to grow my juvenile enterprise.  After cashing in each day during my summers I’d report back to my friends at our clubhouse and share the adventures of the day!  (Then, we’d spy on my sister and her friends)  Want business to be an adventure?  Make it one.  Every 9 year old can tell you what they want.  Can you tell you?
3. Break FREE by shifting your focus. Are you focused on yourself and your problems?   Try looking outward for a change.  You have become one selfish son of a gun!  We all do this at times, so check yourself and when things don’t make sense, ask this question out loud.  “How may I serve?”  See what answers you get.  Then, pick a path and go for it.  The clock’s tickin’ to your legacy.  What will they say about your contribution to others and the world when you’ve kicked the last bucket?
4. Know that nothing is permanent. You’ve heard it and your ego denies it.  When making choices today or overcoming any challenge big or small, don’t get caught up in worrying and wondering if you’ll win.   Just do it and then adapt with flexibility to the changes and trials that come your way.  If you’re gonna fail, do it fast and with GUSTO!  The most successful people ever have failed more times than anyone else.  Swing for the fences!  Answer this question.  What would you do if you knew you could not fail?  Then, DO IT!