DISQUS

Paul Simister · 1 year ago

Hi John

This blog reminds me of echoes of your E Myth days in terms of setting both your Primary Aim and Strategic Objective so that your business supports your life plan.

When the two are aligned, you don't have the conflicts that create the love/hate relationship which causes the confusion are causes procrastination on some issues but red hot devotion and commitment on others.

MarketingTwins-Randy · 1 year ago

In my recent years, I have wrestled with the identity and calling of what we on earth refer to as your job. Moving into having my own business was a natural step, but not an easy one. Moving FROM the identity of working for someone else, then transitioning to loving what I got to do (but someone else rewarding me for my hard work via this thing called salary), to now owning my own business - What a journey! I agree, even though the latter season has been more challenging than I ever imagined, I love having my own business. I love pursuing what I enjoy doing BECAUSE I know there's more to it than this. I love knowing that through my business, I can pursue greater things. Passion for what's truly important. Not that I couldn't (or didn't) have that before, I love having the responsibility of leading my company toward the pursuit of greater things!

Jan Marie Dore, The Profession · 1 year ago

Thanks for this wise post John! I'm in a place of letting go of so much control of my business and this reinforces that's it's the right thing for me to do right now.

John Jantsch · 1 year ago

@Jan - you bet, but it's the hardest thing to do isn't it?

LindaBusiness · 1 year ago

I have a brother who is a consultant in organizational ontologics. Through the years he has managed to help me understand that a business - not matter what size, 1 to 1000 - is made up of both human and "mechanical" systems and that to work successfully, it must have a balance between "leadership" and "management." To me, in my 1-person business, leadership is my vision [goals, dreams, directions, passions] and management is my daily "to-do's", the mechanical [technological] means of achieving the leadership visions and passions. It's the leadership part that a business owner must clarify so that, as you say John, the journey up the mountain is one of exhilaration, and not rude disappointment. - Linda

Steve · 1 year ago

Powerful post John. I LOVE this: "I’m talking about the strong, brave, intuitive kind of love that takes guts to live and more guts to acknowledge in a business."

May we all live that way.

Bill Warner · 1 year ago

I thought your article was very thoughtful. I meet a lot of business owners and I often see a special passion for what they are doing. If I don't see the passion in their eyes and feel it when we interact, I question whether or not they are going to succeed. The passion is sometimes the only thing that keeps a business owner going. When you really get to know them, you often find out that their business actually has a very important significance in their lives. They are truly filling a need they have, so their business really is part of them and their success has much more meaning than just a lot of money and fame. I thoroughly enjoyed your article. Keep it coming.

John Jantsch · 1 year ago

@Paul - you are right about the e-myth connection. I have been and still am very influenced by the connection of life and business. In fact, Duct Tape Marketing and E-Myth Worldwide are co-presenting a 2-day workshop in November that will bring life to leadership and marketing a business.

John Jantsch · 1 year ago

@Linda, Steve and Bill - thanks, I'm glad this post touched you. I have to admit, it's a little personal for me so it's a little scary to put it out there too.

Laurie Englert · 1 year ago

Thanks John, I am just starting a business and can already tell you I struggle with this problem...mostly the unknown. In just a few short months we've already had our ups and downs and I'm looking forward to getting to the part where I enjoy it and wouldn't trade it for anything!

Mark Truman · 1 year ago

This post is great, John. I really enjoyed hearing a bit of a personal note from you on the subject of business. Keep up the awesome work!

pamslim · 1 year ago

You hit it John, there is nothing like owning your own business to truly face your greatest fears.

Letting go and trusting is often seen as weak behavior in the business world, but, under the right conditions, it is the most powerful.

The leaders I love the most are those that never take their position for granted and develop both their businesses and themselves. You are a great example of this!

Can't wait to see what comes of this powerful introspection.

-Pam