The Three Step Plan To Freedom

Perhaps I get reflective when I am crazy busy. The past few months have been the busiest for our consulting and accounting/tax businesses, which I am thankful for. Growth is always welcome but it has a way of stretching us and presenting us with challenges that we didn't have last year.

I know that the ideal is that you are always working ON your business as opposed to IN your business. There are times, however, such as with tax season or a consulting project, when you just need to put your head down and get the work done. Delivery becomes the most important core value to your business.

In the midst of a very busy time I called a client of mine to find out how he was doing and to ask a quick favour. When I called the business he wasn't there. I thought that was strange because he is always there. He "isn't in a lot anymore", said the team member. I reached him later that morning from his home office. "You remember that I set a goal a year ago to be working less in the business. Well, instead of talking about it, I am actually doing it. Eventually this business will run without me."

Frankly, what is interesting about this is that I don't think that I really believed that he would ever do it. I know we have talked about it but my healthy skepticism reigned supreme. I should have given him more of a chance of success that I did. My mistake!

What is interesting is how he has chosen to execute his plan. "The solution is rather simple 3 step plan. Firstly, I had to recognize that I had great people in place who were more than capable of doing a great job. Second, I had to convince myself that I needed to let my team do what I did - even if that meant that they made mistakes along the way - that is part of learning. Thirdly, I needed to commit to being away from the business so I told the staff initially that I would not be coming in on Fridays anymore and that, unless it was an emergency, they were to handle things on their own."

"As a result of having great people, I am hardly there now. Sure I work from my home office behind the scenes but I am not feeling the need to be at the business like I used to be. Things are great."

Let's think about this story as it applies to your business. Ask yourself three questions:

1. Do you have great people that can do a great job for you?
   
2. Are you ready to let go of what you do in the business?
   
3. Are you able to start small, with one day off a week?

If the answers to the above questions are not so positive, you have your work cut out for you. Perhaps this is a 3 to 5 year plan for your business. On the other hand, if you have great people, are willing to let go and are able to start small, perhaps you can put this simple 3 Step Plan to Freedom into ACTION in your business - NOW!

Steve Burns, CA, CMC, CFP, is the President and CEO of Burns Innovation Group Inc. (www.burnsinnovation.com) and Steve Burns Inc. Chartered Accountant (www.steveburns.ca), which provide consulting and accounting services to entrepreneurs. You can reach Steve at 763-4716

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