There’s a lot of things that I could talk about today.
I could talk about more of the details that are so important on the Federal Legislation that has passed. I could talk about the efforts by the State, Counties, and various Municipalities to help us get through this insanity. I could get into the details that are so important in a response to this nightmare. But none of that matters, if I don’t talk about what is really important in all of this.
Today, I’m going to talk about you.
People who don’t Entrepreneur for a living don’t realize what a lonely job it truly is. We are constantly surrounded by people. Our employees encircle us. Our clients engulf us. Our suppliers envelop us. There is always someone to talk to.
But is there really?
When you have a bad day, can you really talk to your employees? Of course not. If you do, they’ll start interviewing and will leave you. Then your day will get worse. What about your customers? Unloading on them will really put them in the mood to buy from you. There goes another order, one that you could use. What about your suppliers? It has to be okay to talk to them, right? But if you spend too much time being totally honest with them they will start to worry about your ability to pay them, and will cut off any credit and supply that you might have established. There’s a truly bad day.
What about your spouse? You’ve got to be able to be honest with your partner in this life. So after a difficult day, you sit down with them and are brutally honest. What happens next? They are going to tell you to stop the insanity of you trying to be an entrepreneur. By dinner time they will already have you asking a family member that’s a manager somewhere for a job. Why? Because everything is just fine as long as they aren’t worried about their credit cards working. The second that happens, the entire world is going to come to an abrupt halt.
Can you talk to your children? Hell no. If you make that mistake, your kids won’t be able to sleep at night. What about your insurance agent? They probably don’t have a policy to cover what you need? Your doctor? They don’t have a prescription that will solve the problem. Maybe your attorney? Once your done talking to them for 45 minutes, they will send you a bill for $300 and ask you who you would like to sue. Why? Because at the end of the day, the only thing an attorney can actually due is to sue someone.
Entrepreneuring is a truly, lonely job.
When things are falling apart, you need to paint on a happy face, and do your job reassuring all of the people that constantly surround you that everything is going to be alright. Your employees, your clients, your suppliers, your spouse, your kids, everyone needs that firm and steady hand at the wheel that gets them to stop worrying.
Because that’s the job. Like it or not, this is simply how it is.
And it takes an emotional and physical toll. We have to give, and give, and give. We give until it hurts, even when they ask for more. If they only knew…
My point today, is that you need to recharge your batteries, so that you can do the job. You can’t give and give, if there isn’t anything left in the tank.
First and foremost, we have to take care of ourselves.
The weekend is coming and you need to do something for yourself. Whatever calms your nerves or feeds your character is what is absolutely necessary.
I don’t know what that is. If you like to read, then pick up that book that has been gathering dust on the nightstand and give it a whirl. If you like to shoot pool, then grab your cue and try not to scratch on the break. If you like to knit, paint, or just listen to old records, then take whatever time is necessary for yourself and get it done.
In other words, feed your soul.
In the past week, I have been able to talk to many of you, and there is an enormous amount of fear and despair in your voices.
To my Sister up north with the Internet Marketing Agency who has lost 80% of her clients because she handles mostly restaurants…
To my Brother in the Western Suburbs in the Toner Business who has laid off almost all of his workers…
To my Brother the Optometrist who needed to shut down because his practice is in a mall…
To all of my Brother and Sister Entrepreneurs that are going through the most difficult circumstances, I hear you.
But mostly know that you are not alone…
Entrepreneuring is a lonely job. Leadership is impossibly difficult. Any position of true responsibility where we have the power, strength, and courage to affect the lives of others will always be solitary. But know this.
We are all in this thing together.
And when you are done feeding your soul this weekend put your arm around your spouse or significant other, and let them know how much you love them. Put your arms around your children and let them know that they are your sun, your moon, and the stars of your universe. Let your loved ones know how much they are loved. Let them know that they are not alone. In other words…
Lead.
I’m going to sign off now, because I have a ton of business tax returns to handle. They may have extended the season, but that doesn’t mean that you still don’t have to file. After that, I have even more sets of financial statements that need to go out. It seems that my customers actually listened to me yesterday, and would like to be first in line for the lending bonanza on the horizon.
Accounting Solutions Ltd. stands ready to fulfill its mission and purpose to protect you, your family, and your business. If you would like to subscribe to these meandering scribblings of a humble scribe, please forward your email address so that I can add you to the list. If I have touched you in any way, good or bad, please let me know.
Because helping and serving others is what feeds my soul.
I hear you, I stand with you, and I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Chris Amundson
President
Accounting Solutions Ltd.
773-267-7500
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773-267-7500
chris@accountingsolutionsltd.com
