Hey everyone,
I hope you are enjoying yourselves today. It is early here is my part of the USA as I write this post. And today is my son’s 6th birthday. My firstborn baby is growing up and maturing right before my eyes. I cannot believe 6 years of my life have passed in the blink of an eye. My precious one is learning how to be a man. As I reflected on how far I’ve come as a parent and he as a child my thoughts turned to business. I wouldn’t be me if they didn’t.
From the thought of conceiving a child through birth and then the nurturing of the last 6 years my son has grown into a fine young man. While he’s not always on his best behavior with mommy, when he is with others he behaves well, uses his manners and is a joy to be around. I know this because other parents tell me this is the case and they wouldn’t invite him back if he wasn’t! Therefore, we must be doing something right as parents.
This led me to think about what my husband and I have done to bring us to this point. Well, what came to mind were things that transferred over to how we run our businesses, which are our other children.
So many of us treat our businesses like babies and if we’re not maybe we should start. Here’s my thoughts on how they relate.
1. You get this brilliant idea that it’s time to have a child and then you start your planning. (Hmmm, sounds businesslike to me.)
2. Once pregnant and having committed to this child more planning goes into effect – setting up the nursery, making sure to take care of yourself so you can keep your energy up while you continue your planning and preparation for launching your baby to the world in 9 months. (I’ve never worked crazy hours in business or needed extra energy during my planning phases )
3. Once baby is launched those first few months are shocking. You don’t sleep much and you’re all consumed by this new, sometimes overwhelming situation in your life. (Never happened to me, you?)
4. You don’t always know what to do next and you seek the advice of other more seasoned people. People who have done this before, and while they may not have always done it right, they’ve made it through. (This is why I have my own coach)
5. By the time year 1 hits – you’re proud of yourself that you didn’t give up and now things seem to be easier and you have a flow. You take the ups and downs and the good and the bad in stride.
6. You spend your time nurturing and tending to your precious child, working with the child every day to help him or her grow.
7. About year 3 you think you’ve got everything under control. But in reality, the child has you wrapped around your finger and there isn’t much you wouldn’t do for him/her because you see so much of yourself in him/her. Your blood sweat and tears are thankful you’ve made it this far.
8. You continue to persevere, you know giving up is not an option. This child needs you and you will succeed. You don’t know what everyday will bring but you are committed to yourself and to the child to never give up.
9. More years pass and you realize that the decision and making a choice to have a child was the best thing you could have ever done and you wouldn’t trade parenthood for anything in the world.
See any signs or traits of business in there? My businesses are like my babies from idea through implementation.
While this was fun and lighthearted in honor of my son, I want you to think about how you are treating your business.
Is it just another J-O-B to you or are you passionate about your role as an entrepreneur?
Think about it.
Have a great weekend and Happy Birthday to my baby boy!
P.S. For more information or to find out how we can work together call me at 503-780-3203 or email me at vanessa@vanessaduplessie.com. View the video www.15toprofit.com/vanessa to learn more about creating freedom and flexibility in your life.
VaNessa: I am delighted that I read your BLOG post today. It is so relevant to what I am going through right now. I am in my third year of doing business as Rise to Excellence and while I love what I do and am passionate about my mission the vacillation of business (in other words contracts, opportunities hence receivables) feels like a roller coaster rise. Sometimes– I think it would be much easier if I could bottle or package what I do but I don’t believe an effective Consultant can create a one shoe size fits all. I am absolutely committed to providing optimal customer service to nonprofit’s, ministries and emerging businesses that a pre-fab product does not mesh well with my commitment to exemplify excellence. Today—I stand lovingly convicted (by you) of fruitless worry and doubt. Honestly–if I did not have the responsibility of raising three sons on my own or a mortgage to honor I would throw all caution to the wind. I am reminded by your BLOG that I made a proactive decision 19 years ago to have children when fertility specialists warned my husband and me that “it is impossible.” I had less than a 5% chance of conceiving and did so the old fashioned way without any drugs or help and now have three incredibly intelligent, compassionate, talented young men (19, 17, and 16) to send off to college very soon. You are absolutely right when you equate business with “raising children.” There are certainly plenty of long hours, middle of the night feedings and days when you want to scream “uncle” and yet— each and every time I meet with a new client, conduct a training, help others to coordinate events (like the recent Nonprofit Network SW Washington conference) I get totally STOKED! I am reminded that the three little boys, who I have nurtured in my womb, birthed, encouraged, protected — raised, have become incredible young gentle-men of integrity, strength and purpose. The truly ironic thing about all of this is your BLOG reminded me that my boys were the ones who gave me the idea for Rise to Excellence. One day, when I was about to give up on finding the “perfect” job my youngest Elijah said “hey mom your middle name is rising sun and you always teach us to rise to excellence—why not start your own company?” My middle son Samuel said “yeah you are really good about motivating people—you should do it.” My oldest Gabriel said “come on Mom you always make other people successful and rich—now it’s your turn.” Well I may not be rich, nor famous or even successful by some people’s definition –but I love what I do and I love the people I serve. Thank you VaNessa—you reminded me today —of all days to rise—keep on rising to excellence, 24-7-365 no matter the forecast, no matter the rigor or challenges. As I embark upon my third year of “doing business” I receive your advice with gratitude and will with enthusiasm “raise this child” too. Happy sixth birthday to your son. Enjoy these special times—they grow up way too fast.
Warmest Regards, Elizabeth
Elizabeth. Your words are beautiful and I am thankful for them. I am glad I could give you a piece
of what you needed for the day.
VaNessa
So true. This would totally explain why I feel like I did when I had Grayson. The good news is it gets better with time. Phew! Thank God for that. Great post!
Hey Kimberly – it so gets better with time and age! Agreed.