Tired?
Lost the love?
Don't feel like yourself?
Something feel off?
Maybe you've found yourself asking: “Did I waste time? Why has this become so hard?”
Most entrepreneurs wouldn't describe themselves as regretful or resentful.
But I think those emotions sit underneath a lot more of our thinking than we'd like to admit.
I'm about to spend five weeks away from my business. Over breakfast this morning I said to my wife-to-be:
"I don't want to get home and regret not looking at the business at all while we're away. But I also don't want to resent having to work while we're away."
It struck me that this is the entrepreneur's dilemma in miniature.
Whatever choice we make, we're often worrying about what we're giving up.
If you run a business, I suspect you've felt some version of this before.
You regret not being more present with your children. Not making more time for your relationship. Not looking after your health. Because the business came first.
Or perhaps you've built a successful business and now realise that you actually enjoy running it anymore.
The thing that was supposed to create freedom now creates pressure. You resent the obligations, the responsibility, the people who depend on you.
Or you’ve not yet built a successful business and think you should have started sooner, should have taken the risk, should be further ahead by now.
So what do we actually want?
I think we want to be at peace with the decisions we've made and take ownership of the decisions we need to make next.
And I think our medicine is gratitude, pride and presence.
Because it's remarkably difficult to feel regret or resentment when you're fully present.
The practical thing I’ve done is simple. I’ve blocked out work days and holiday days in my calendar. I created a structure.
Not because it's a practical problem, but because practical structure gives me something to anchor my mindset to.
My real challenge is to be present whether I'm working or on holiday.
That's what I'll be practising. Journaling each morning to remind myself that presence (and regret and resentment) is a choice.
You won't hear from me for a few weeks.
Until then, try this:
Where in your life are you denying yourself presence because you're dwelling on regret or resentment?
And what would happen if you chose differently today?
See you on the other side.
