Starting a company and taking on nearly more work than you can handle is, to say the least, time consuming. Combine that with a full time (40 hour+) job and you end up with a problem – you’re working constantly.
We here at 10kThings (I say that like we are more than 4 people) are all feeling the strain, some more than others. We are on the cusp of being able to quit our “real” jobs (if we wanted to) and report to no one but ourselves. This, however, will only lead to more work (and stress) as we will have time to take on more clients and actively go after accounts we want.
It is a very exciting time right now but the problem is we are always working. Since we are all good friends even when we’re just hanging out at the bar we are discussing work. We have to find a balance but where do you draw the line?
The problem when you are working for yourself is knowing when you should take a break. Obviously the goal is to make as much money as possible and so when your office is literally your home – when do you say enough is enough and take a break?
There are no “weekends” or “holidays” when you are just starting to grow your business. You started your company (or freelance lifestyle) because you love what you do and part of you knew that you would never get rich working for someone else.
That paycheck isn’t going to be the same every two weeks – with every bit of work that you put in, with every client you sign – that paycheck is going to go up if you work hard and down if you don’t. Because of this you have that drive to work constantly – to bring in enough money to be secure with not knowing if next month will be as profitable – to achieve your dream that made you start your own business in the first place.
Our dream is financial security, running a company and not being employees of someone else – not being told where to be for 8 hours a day – freedom. In the pursuit of this dream we are going to work harder than we ever have but we can come out of it with having actually accomplished something.
When so much is on the line taking a break from it all, and letting yourself relax, is hard to do but is necessary. Without it you will burn yourself out, begin to hate what you once loved, and maybe, cause you to give up on your dreams all together.
Tags: break · free time · time-off9 Comments
Congrats on the new venture lets hope you have enough success to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Just keep your eyes on the prize. One day you’ll be able to look back on this and say that it was all worth it.
I feel you on the burnout, Dave. Before I left my last job… it was totally grueling the amount of work I had to put in after hours and on the weekends. I almost had a breakdown…
I have no doubt you can do very well in SEO / SMM. You definitely got the chops and the right kind of personality. Keep your eyes on the prize and know that it’s well, well worth it.
wishing you the best!
I agree with you…It’s always very important to know how to balance your time between your work and your personal life..always make sure that you don’t tire yourself too much because in the end both your business and your personal life will suffer.
As someone looking to start his own company in the next two months I find this post to be perfectly timed. I’ve been feeling the stress lately working a full time job and then for myself on the side. It’s an unsustainable situation, really. Some nights I just have to crack open a beer and mellow out for a few hours. Not easy to do when there’s plenty burning to be done.
I lost any semblance of the idea that owning my own company will give me more freedom, though. Sure, I’ll be my own boss, but when it’s my company I’ll bringing a lot more home with me than I am from my current day job. There will be many sleepless nights no doubt. Where I now leave at 5:30 from my day job when I’m running my own show I’m sure I’ll be putting in 12 hours days regularly. After all is said and done, though, I think it can be worth it.
I wish you guys the best of luck.
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