Entrepreneurship is a spiritual journey like anything else. In many cases, you need to make promises that go beyond what you promised to your employees, vendors, and customers. It also includes the commitments we make to ourselves. This inner commitment is the basis of personal integrity, moves us toward our goals, shapes our work ethic, and ultimately determines our success. But in the chaos of running a business, it’s easy to leave it off your to-do list. You may end up neglecting personal commitments like having a life outside of work, spending time with family and friends, or making doctor’s appointments. Sometimes we allow them to be hidden by external demands. So the question arises, are you keeping the promises you made to yourself?
At the heart of this study is the concept of self-responsibility. As business owners, we set a variety of goals, including financial goals, professional milestones, and business growth goals. These efforts act as a guiding star to guide and motivate our efforts. But the path to delivering on these promises can be filled with obstacles, distractions, and competing priorities.
Consider an entrepreneur who vows to devote a certain amount of time each week to sales and strategic planning. At first, that determination ignites and drives you to carve out time in your busy schedule. But as deadlines loom, emails flood in, and crises occur, that resolve can waver. It’s tempting to postpone personal efforts in favor of the task at hand, rationalizing that there will always be time later. But each time a commitment is postponed, the foundation of health, sleep, confidence, and discipline is chipped away.
Additionally, a breakdown in internal commitment can have far-reaching implications for business effectiveness. If we ignore our personal goals, we risk stagnation and complacency, which can hinder innovation and the health crisis. Businesses grow when leaders continually push the limits of their capabilities and seek to improve and adapt. By honoring our commitments to ourselves, we not only strengthen our own skill sets, but also the resilience and agility of our companies.
So how can entrepreneurs ensure they keep their personal commitments amidst the chaos of entrepreneurship? It starts with cultivating self-discipline and a mindset of priorities. Recognize that keeping personal commitments is not a luxury, but a necessity for long-term success. Just like you wouldn’t get frustrated during an important meeting with a client, treat your commitments to yourself with the same level of importance. If you need to go to a therapist appointment or have a date night with your significant other, don’t put your priorities above that.
Practical strategies like setting time limits, setting SMART goals, and establishing accountability mechanisms can help you stay on time. Block out dedicated slots for personal time and reflection from your schedule and treat them as non-negotiable. Break down larger goals into actionable steps and track your progress by setting specific, measurable goals. Additionally, seek the support of a mentor, colleague, or coach who can provide guidance and hold you accountable to your commitments.
Regularly reassess and realign your personal goals and business initiatives as priorities and circumstances change. As your business evolves, your personal goals and aspirations may change as well. Regularly reflect on whether your commitments remain relevant and meaningful, and adjust as necessary to align with your overall vision.
After all, keeping your promises to yourself isn’t just about achieving specific revenue results. It’s about cultivating integrity, resilience, and a growth mindset. By prioritizing your personal endeavors, you can lay the foundation for continued success and fulfillment, both personally and professionally. If you want to get the most out of your life, it’s important to prioritize what’s really important and pursue it wholeheartedly. This may involve:
Embrace fearlessness: Fear can prevent you from taking risks and pursuing your passions. By facing our fears head-on, we can unlock new possibilities and experiences that enrich our lives.
Prioritize relationships: Cultivating meaningful connections with friends, family, and loved ones is essential to a fulfilling life. Investing time and energy in these relationships can bring immense joy and support.
Immerse yourself in pleasure: Life is too short to deny yourself the simple pleasures that bring us happiness. Whether it’s indulging in a decadent cake or treating yourself to luxuries like expensive sheets, it’s important to savor the joys in life.
Explore new experiences: Stepping outside of our comfort zone and embracing new experiences expands our horizons and deepens our appreciation for life. Each new experience brings richness to our lives, whether it’s traveling to a new destination, trying a new hobby, or reuniting with an old friend.
Cultivate gratitude: Taking time to reflect on the blessings in your life and express gratitude will shift your perspective and give you a greater sense of contentment. Gratitude allows us to appreciate the beauty and abundance that surrounds us every day.
Your business shouldn’t be the reason you can’t live a fulfilling life. Embrace authenticity, seek joy, and cultivate the connections that make life meaningful. It’s important to find a balance between work and play, responsibility and spontaneity. And above all, it’s important to cherish every moment and make the most of the time you have left. So let us all heed the call to live more, love more, and embrace with open arms the fullness of life.
Don’t waste your time. Keep your promises to yourself and focus on what really matters. The Bible says in Mark 8:36: “Don’t just think about making money. Be a seeker. Start living more. Grab more opportunities in your personal life. Start loving your life more. Let’s go see a friend from college. Get into the part of yourself that is alive, not the part of you that is consumed by fear.
So ask yourself again. Do you keep your business commitments to yourself?
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