Embarking on a Journey of Growth, Fulfillment, and Enjoyment
Written by Mike Jones at Better Happy
A business will go from feeling like a lonely uphill battle to a challenging but rewarding and enjoyable journey.
What I’m sharing with you here has not only transformed my life and business but the lives, careers and businesses of hundreds of others - it works.
Firstly, it’s important to understand the meaning in the context. I do what was taught to me whilst living with Buddhist monks in Thailand and Nepal. The meaning of life is to be happy and true happiness is the sense of fulfilment you experience through helping others.
Secondly, you have to understand the notion of being sensibly selfish. In order for you to be of service to others - and be able to help other people - you need to be the healthiest and happiest version of yourself.
When you are a passion or purpose driven entrepreneur, you run the risk of making yourself miserable in your pursuit to help others. You place such a high premium on growing your business and helping others that you neglect your health, your relationships and even your own personal finances. You justify this behaviour by telling yourself you’re creating a better future. It’s a poor strategy that doesn’t work. You end up stressed, unhealthy and burnt out.
What you want/need from your business is just as important as what your clients want/need from your business because business is a team sport. It’s a game of give and take. If you let it become all give for too long, you end up resenting your business and that’s a lose/lose situation.
What I’ve realised is all businesses go through four distinct ‘levels’. At each of those levels what the owner wants and needs changes. If you adapt to those levels you and your business will continue to grow. If you don’t you get fed up and resentful which leads to you closing the business.
Here they are:
Level 1 - Startup - At this level you’re excited to be your own boss, to be free and to make a difference. You’re happy to work all the hours god sends for little in return. All you need to stay motivated is some traction, some clients and some results. This level can last for around 6-12 months max.
Level 2 - Success/Slog - At this level, you’ve proven your concept, have a client list and probably a small team. You’re making money and making a difference but everything is heavily reliant on you, the owner. At first, that feels good but when this goes on for too long you start to feel trapped by your business. This stage can go on for years and is the most common sticking point for business owners.
Level 3 - Systems - This is the stage that takes your business to the next level but most business owners struggle to do. Systems are a win/win because they free up the owner, make life easier for the team and provide the customer a more consistent experience. BUT they required the owner to step back and let their perfect standards slip slightly (in the short term). Many owners just can’t accept that so they instead stay stuck in the slog phase with no way out.
Level 4 - Sale or Scale - Once the business is well systemised it can easily go through sale or scale. Scale is where the business expands its reach (through acquisitions, affiliates, franchise model, licensing etc).
Sale is as the name suggests when the business is sold.
A common problem I see is business owners staying stuck in the slog until they’re fed up then they trying to skip the ‘systems’ level to get to sales. It doesn't work.
It’s as important that your business makes you happy as it is for your clients. What motivates you at the start will change. Don’t fall victim to getting stuck at the level you’re at and waking up one morning hating the business you once loved. By thinking about and planning for the next level you and your business will continue to grow, together, with happiness and fulfilment.
Remember, life and business are Better Happy
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