Do You Own Your Business or Does It Own You?

This post was most recently updated on March 26th, 2014

So you started an online business.  You put endless hours into it, and you enjoy doing so.  You have submersed yourself in free and paid tutorials.  You work harder than anyone you know, even though you may not be making money.  It has become a true labor of love.

You understand that an internet business is not a “get rich quick scheme,” and you have been plugging away for… how long?

You may have terrific engagement on your blog and social media.  Everyone thinks you are a “rock star” and maybe an authority or expert in your field.

You are striving with everything you have to “make it” in your business.  Hey, you may even made a few sales yet?  Maybe you’ve already become a successful affiliate marketer and commissions are rolling in.  Maybe you are really crushing it with your product and services.

Whatever stage you might be in with your business, my question to you is this: Do you own your business or does your business own you?

Remember When You First Started  

I am sure one of the reasons you wanted to start your own business was for “financial freedom,” or to be able to stay home with the kids, or have the ability to work when you want and be in charge of your own life.   Whatever prompted you to invest your time, money and effort into owning your own online business…  that is what needs to sustain you in working your business over the longer term.

But again my friends, my question to you is: Do you own your own business or has it gotten to a place where your business owns you?

Overwhelmed Yet?

The reason I ask this question is that some people get distracted by so many things that they start drowning in a pool of “overwhelm”.  Some people are in business for a year or two only to decide that it just might be too much work for the little or no return they’re getting.  

Are you doing one or more of these things?

• dragging your feet about getting to the next level of your goals.  
• dreading to write that next blog post.
• always purchasing the newest shiny object.
• carrying around your iPhone answering every call, even when it is family or play time.
• keeping a constant eye on your Skype that you leave open all day to answer every call.
• suspended in fear that you won’t “make it.”
• emulating the richest guru in the business?  And if so, are you dissatisfied that you are not making as much money as they are?
• putting in so many hours that you have ignored your healthy diet and exercise.
• shutting out your friends and family.
• following someone that gives you an exact blueprint of what you have to do, but somehow it doesn’t work for you.
• giving up the things that you used to enjoy so much.

The fastest way to have your business crash and burn is to try doing too many things at once, and expecting them all to work overnight.

Whose Time Is It?

Owning your own business is a very time consuming effort.  If you enjoy it, you are happy to spend your time doing what you do.  But if you are not enjoying it, you could feel like you are being robbed of your time by your own business.

It’s quite a task to lay the foundation of your online business, to get followers, develop an email list…  How much time are you spending on your business?  How much time are you reserving for personal enjoyment and fulfillment?

When you own your own business, it can easily dominate just about all of your time.

Take A Quick Survey

Before you spend another day making money or trying to make money in your business, I’d like you to take a quick survey… a little self-examination.

• When was the last time you took a vacation?
• If you have kids, how much time are your spending with them?  More because you work from home or less?
• Are you feeling anxious because your “big break” didn’t come yet?
• Do you take time every day for yourSELF?
• Is your time is flexible enough to allow for some spontaneity in your day?
• If life throws you a curve ball like an unexpected illness, or a surprise visit from the in-laws… is your business thrown for a loop, or can you just rearrange your time a bit to accommodate these sudden events?   
• Are you keeping up with your favorite exercise program, or did you give it up?
• Is your spouse or family member asking you to pay more attention to them?
• Are your family and friends questioning you why you are locked up in your home office too much?

Your answers to these questions will hopefully give you cause to examine more carefully just how much your Business Owns YOU!

If you think, in fact, that you’ve lost your “ownership” (or at least some of it) of the very business that was supposed to set you “free”, how are you going to fix it?  Well, stay tuned to part 2 in my next article on this subject, and we’ll explore some solutions.

In the meanwhile, I appreciate your feedback in the comments below!

Many Blessings,
-Donna

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Donna Merrill

Donna is a well known blogger and creator of "Blogging Magic" - an intensive guide to blogging. "Blogging Magic" is for beginners who are trying to figure out how to bring their blogs to life with tons of visits, comments and social media interaction. It's even for advanced bloggers looking to reach new levels of authority and engagement with their audience.