Are You In The Business Of Misery?
June 10, 2008
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Did you ever meet a successful unhappy person? The two don’t really go hand in hand do they? You couldn’t really describe yourself as a success if you were constantly miserable.
Yet so many people set themselves up to be miserable, simply because they choose the type of business that they think will be successful as opposed to the right type of business for them. And believe me, making more money doesn’t make you happy when you’re doing something you don’t enjoy.
Trouble is - there’s plenty of people and books out there preaching the tale that you can’t build a successful business unless you systemize everything, concentrate on building the business and employ dozens of people. Often -they’ll quote people like Richard Branson, when the truth is - none of this advisors are, or ever will be anything like Richard Branson.
I believed a lot of this hype and bullshit for a while. But, I learned the hard way that there is no set way to run a business. If you’re a craftsperson or a painter and you love doing it, you’re liable to get little joy from employing other people to do it.
If the idea of having heaps of people working for you is terrifying, you might be far better off outsourcing and automating some of the workload instead.
If you hate working alone, becoming a freelancer may not be the best move for you.
What is important is that you do what is right for you. The sole business person who employs nobody, loves his work and lives a happy life is a far greater success than a multi-millionaire who has thousands of people working for him and is as miserable as sin.
Why do you think people believe that someone who achieves huge financial goals is successful? What does success mean to you? Do you get tired of people telling you that you need to do XYZ to build a successful business?
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18 Responses to “Are You In The Business Of Misery?”
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This is such an important and over-looked topic. Too often people equate “succcess” with money, fame, or power. Those things are fine if that’s what important to you … but not at the expense of happiness. I have owned a business with employees - that was right for me at the time. But as my interests and health condition changed, freelancing is right for me now. I haven’t achieved wealth or fame or power in either of these endeavors, but I’ve been very happy in both.
Lillie Ammann’s last blog post..Research
Hi Catherine,
As you know we are self employed. My husband likes to get his hands dirty and be involved in the daily operations of the work itself, and I love to be working behind the scenes, doing the paperwork and accounting (and working on my blogs). We make a great team.
We’re a small business. We’ve been bigger, and had more employees. With more employees, more jobs, more money, it became more of a headache. Our stress levels were higher, and even though we made more money, we worked so many hours we couldn’t enjoy life.
Although many do equate success with money, all the money in the world will not buy happiness (or, in some instances, health). That’s something that comes from within.
. .
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..NBOTW Promotes Living Green
Love this topic, you’re so right! I’ve preached about it constantly over the years - the best business is the one that works for YOUR personality and YOUR preferences, not the Richard Bransons of the world (did you know he’s dyslexic? A very inspiring man indeed!).
I’d starve if I followed the camp that espouses face to face selling - that’s just not me.
Great post, Barbara
Barbara Ling’s last blog post..6/10 Gourmet Blogger Breakfast! Eggs Benedict with Canadian Back Bacon and a
“What is important is that you do what is right for you.”
I totally agree with that. People are so different, we can’t presume that something we think is a good idea is going to be the right move for everyone.
For example, people sometimes tell me that I shouldn’t want to work alone, that it’s not normal. But their opinions don’t have to be mine!
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..I’m In “The Last Lecture,” Page 184
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Hi Lillie - That is great that you’ve found happiness doing what you enjoy. And as you say - health is far more important than material things.
Hi Barbara - I know where you’re coming from. And when you’re not getting time to enjoy life it really isn’t worth it. In fact - much of the time, you spend a whole heap of money just trying to make a little extra time for yourself.
Hi BarbaraL - Exactly and Richard B is amazing. But he really really enjoys what he does - and I’m guessing many people wouldn’t feel the same level of enjoyment in his position. I think a lot of the time, people aiming for the same levels of achievement take themselves too seriously and forget to have fun. And Branson and the Virgin company is all about fun.
Hi Hunter - It sounds like folk are trying to put their fears on you. And it’s smart to ignore them. As you say - just cos it isn’t right for them - doesn’t mean it isn’t right for you.
You are so right on this one. I started an insurance business and I was making a lot of money but I really didn’t like it so I closed shop. Just imagine if educators make a lot of money from teaching, I would be a millionare.
Chris Austria’s last blog post..The Best of Times and The Worst of Times
Hi Chris - I’m betting that teaching is far more rewarding than the insurance business though. Good for you packing in something you didn’t enjoy. Some people just keep going because they want to keep their income.
Good article. As a business coach I find that people confuse the outcomes of success with success itself.
Success simply means to take action. If you are clear about what is important to you, taking action is easy and fun. When you take the right action, success, regardless of how you define it, can be achieved.
When you are working on what is important to you, the more (or car or house) are simply byproducts of being successful. The true success is taking aciton and working on what you lvoe.
Ron Finklesteiin
Hi Ron That is so true. I used to make that very same mistake. But focusing on the end result when you’re not having a lot of fun getting there can be soul destroying.
Sometimes we went so far for the success and money that we forget the reasons why we are doing this. A well written article, thanks!
Tamal Anwar’s last blog post..Your millionaire mind
Hi Cath,
Success to me is not about money, but about enjoying what I do. Don’t get me wrong you need money to pay the bills and having savings for a rainy day is a nice feeling.
On the other hand I think my partner thinks success is how much money you have.
You are only here once, make the most of it and be happy, healthy and content with yourself. -Easier said than done, I know -.
Regards.
jsanderz’s last blog post..10 Essential Wireless Networking Tips
I comepletely agree with you. The point of being your own boss is being able to design a business that deleivers what you want and works the way you want.
You and only you define your rules for success.
Paul Simister’s last blog post..Common Marketing Mistakes Part 4 - Ignoring Customers, No Referral System
Hi Tamal - You are welcome.
Hi Jeff - It is a shame that some people measure their success by money. I think it sometimes happens when they don’t define their goals clearly.
Hi Paul - Thanks for dropping by.
Cath,
Touche! I teach, and now I blog. I love what I do in both arenas. For that, I am happy. My students come back years later to say “hi,” share a story, tell me of how I’ve helped them, or just to say “thanks.” I get to indulge in my passion of writing.
I may not be able to afford all of the material luxuries of life, but who cares? I feel that I am successful at what I do, and that’s what has made a tremendous difference in my outlook on life. That’s where the happiness comes in!
Rita’s last blog post..It’s Time to Go Back to School - NOW
Hi Rita - That is brilliant - especially being able to enjoy two things that you love. And it must be so rewarding when those students come back to you years later.
And as you point out - material things aren’t important. Although so many people do want material things, if it came down to it, I doubt whether many would be foolish enough to trade things that make them happy in order to have them.
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