Owning a business. It’s not all Ferrari’s and swilling Champagne (I prefer Brewdog anyway). What you don’t see are them late nights, them tough decisions and life choices, which most are completely oblivious to. That’s fundamentally the difference between being an employee and owning a business. It’s what you don’t see, which is what actually makes the difference, gets things done and ensure there are jobs on offer in the future.

I’m sat at home, on my own writing this. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to paint a sad picture here. The stark reality is, that we’re (as in my business, Lucid Computer Solutions) short staffed at present due to holidays, training and waiting for a new starter to join us. A short family break for myself was booked for this week, which I’ve not been able to attend. It would simply leave the business too short, it would be a bad customer service move and put an extraordinary amount of pressure on the rest of the team. So off my partner and little girl have gone on holiday, whilst I stay at home to man the fort. Like I said, this is nothing to do with sympathy, I’m not after any and I don’t need it. I’m just pointing out this is one of many, many acts which millions of business owners make up and down the country, every day. People don’t see it, they don’t know about it – it just happens.

The actual point of this article though, isn’t for me to harp on about what you don’t see, it’s to point out what good has come from this. On the face of it, there shouldn’t be anything good. I’m home alone, whilst my family enjoy a break. However, given this situation, I’ve actually noticed a couple of small changes, which make a huge difference. I’m not sure I fully understand them, but we’ll give it a go anyway…

 

  • Working earlier, finishing earlier: I’m quite an early bird anyway (again what you don’t see is the work that goes on before the business you work in, opens the doors and phone lines for the day), but I’ve stepped up again on this. I arrived at the office for 0630. I’ve got lots done during my ‘core time’. However I promised myself, using an alarm that come 1600, that would be it, end of, no exceptions. I’ve stuck to this. The major difference here though, has been I’ve not continued any work at home. I normally would, do a little here, a little there, but I haven’t. I knew this week would be draining enough, without overworking myself and not getting the rest my body craves. So this begs the questions – why don’t I do this under “normal circumstances”. I don’t have a direct answer to that, but I do know that it’s something which should continue.
  • I’ve freed up some time in the evenings: Now don’t get my wrong, being the modern day Dad, most of my evenings are around feeding, walking, playing and then getting my little girl to bed – and that certainly isn’t going to change. However I think there can be something worked into this such as more outdoor time (as I’ve been going out for walks this week) and trying to have something to look forward to in the evenings for me and my partner in crime. It shouldn’t be a case of “back to it” and working again. I’m enjoying music even more than before and watching movies. Even if it’s on me tod.
  • Just having some time to think: This could well be tied to my last article about putting my mobile phone into semi-retirement, but also not rushing from one thing to another. It’s amazing what fifteen minutes of calm can do. Alone time goes a long way to anyone’s overall well being. Again something to be selfish about and continue. As pilots will tell you, you can’t help others till you’ve looked after yourself.

 

 

So there we go, a few thoughts on business ownership and life choices. Deep. Real deep.

 

Gavin Moorhouse is the owner of Lucid Computer Solutions, they provide IT Support in Pershore and the surrounding Worcestershire areas. He doesn’t actually like Champagne anyway.

 

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