As our nation celebrates its 235th year of independence, I’m reminded of the reason many creative entrepreneurs give for starting a business: freedom. Whether it’s freedom to set their own schedules, independence from the 9-5 or relief from crazy bosses, freedom ranks heavily among the reasons my clients give for opening a photography or arts business.
I remember feeling the same when I opened my first business. I was tired of “having” to be at the office from 8-6 every day, of tracking my time in 15-minute increments, of doing things my boss’s way. But, as I’ve learned in the years that followed, with freedom comes responsibility.
The future first lady, in 1898
Eleanor Roosevelt said that. As a civil rights activist who opposed the Equal Rights Amendment, I think she knew a little something about the marriage of freedom and responsibility, don’t you?
When you’re a small business owner, it’s all up to numero uno. When no one is tracking your hours or setting priorities, it can be a real challenge to stay focused on long-term goals among the myriad distractions. Whether it’s Facebook and Twitter, obsessively checking email for new inquiries, or focusing on what needs to be done today at the expense of the long-term, goals and strategy often fall to the wayside.
And then there’s the requirement to make hard decisions, the ones that hurt. I’m not talking about choosing where to spend your money — although that’s an important decision in itself — I’m talking about taking the actions you know must be taken in order to be successful: marketing, networking and selling yourself…
Most creative entrepreneurs abhor those elements of business, and yet they are absolutely required for success. As much as you’d love to, you can’t create art all day, every day. I know how you feel.
So, in honor of America’s 235 years of independence, what action are you going to take today to secure your own independence?
Is the pain of marketing your services or making an important call worth the exhilaration of freedom and possible success? Only you can decide… I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Cheers,
