The New Normal

I’ve talked a lot about how the world of work is broken and the relationship between employer and employee is sadly in need of a make over.  For some a make over may not be enough…they just need to strike out on their own.  Today’s guest blog post from Meghan M. Biro talks about being an entrepreneur.  They why’s, the how’s, the balance of it all.   And why that may be the most important decision you make in business – whether as an entrepreneur or employee.

People come to this blog to hear about the new normal, to get affirmation for their conviction that working in a cube in an atmosphere of distrust is not effective, and to think about ways in which to balance life and work so that no one gets short shrift.  When Leanne asked me to contribute my thoughts on why I chose to become an entrepreneur, it was obvious that this forum is a perfect place to have the discussion. So here goes.

There are many reasons to become an entrepreneur. Maybe that cube is just too small and confining. Maybe the sense that you’re not being treated as an adult, a trusted member of a team, has eroded your trust in the benefits of conventional employment. Or maybe you just always wanted to run your own business.

I chose the path of the entrepreneur because I wanted to make a difference in my work and in my life. I was pretty much born this way. I also wanted to manage my own company, and those who joined me in the enterprise, with work-life balance as a priority. To do that requires an appetite for risk and a commitment to quality. Keeping those forces in balance has occupied most of my time in the past 12 months.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned as an entrepreneur:

§   This life is not for everyone. The costs are not just fiscal but also emotional, and they are much higher than you can anticipate and plan for.

§   While start up costs are a huge issue, quality is equally important. If you can’t commit to running a quality business – putting the business, your clients’ and your employees’ interests ahead of yours on occasion – then find a way to achieve work-life balance while working for someone else.

§   Know what work-life balance means to you. Is it time to exercise? dance? read? Time with the kids? Dinner with the whole family? These are all qualitative, not quantitative, components of work-life balance. Focus on quality and you’re on the way to work-life balance, whether you are an entrepreneur or an employee.

§   If you’ve decided you aren’t a natural entrepreneur, no harm/no foul. Refocus and look for employers with a business model that focuses on quality over quantity.

§   If you decide to be an entrepreneur, be prepared to be alone a lot of the time. You have made a choice to lead, not follow, which means you will be in front of the organization, on an uncharted path, most of the time. Find your peace in knowing you are the guide.

Work-life balance comes to us when we seek it, when we insist on it. You don’t need to be an entrepreneur to find it – you just have to be really sure about what matters most to you.

Celebrate your choices. Commit to quality. Seek balance. Rinse, repeat, and tell us how things worked out for you.

Meghan M. Biro is the founder of TalentCulture a career, branding, and  new media consulting firm focused on connecting the right people with  the right organizational culture. TalentCulture is a diverse social  community that engages in creating and sharing the latest perspectives on finding meaningful careers and using them to grow. They are focused on building a culture of innovation, awareness and understanding.  Meghan believes strongly that culture is very much a part of our careers and vice versa and included in that culture is the work/life struggle and juggle.