During this week of the 4th of July, I’ve been reflecting on my relationship with time off. It’s an important topic, especially for those of us running businesses.

What’s your relationship with time off? There are a few common approaches that you might find familiar:

The Non-Stop Worker

Some people don’t take time off at all. They see the absence of others as an opportunity to catch up on work. They feel grateful for the quiet time that allows them to get ahead. While this might seem productive, it can be detrimental in the long run.

The Halfway Vacationer

Others manage to take time off but stay connected. They check emails, respond to texts, and remain available to their teams. Physically, they might be away, but mentally, they never truly disconnect. This approach prevents them from fully recharging.

The True Escapist

Then there are those who genuinely get away. I recently worked with a client who went to Europe for two weeks with her family. She checked in with work only once. This true disconnection allowed her to reset and return refreshed.

The Necessity of Stepping Away

Taking time off is crucial for your brain and overall well-being. It helps you break out of the constant stress response, where you’re always in crisis mode. When you genuinely relax and reset, your thoughts shift. You see possibilities that you wouldn’t normally notice.

Not A Productivity Hack

I’m not suggesting you use rest as a tool to become more productive or creative. It doesn’t work that way. However, when you truly step back, unexpected insights emerge. These moments can change how you see the world, yourself, potential investors, clients, or employees.

Embrace the Opportunity

This week might not be the perfect time for everyone to step away due to the holiday’s timing. But summer offers plenty of opportunities to get away. The more you embrace these moments, the more relaxed, refreshed, and insightful you’ll be when you return to your business.

Going Deeper

Does this resonate with you? Let’s continue this conversation. Reach out and let’s explore how you can find the balance between work and truly recharging.

And if you’re a founder who is within three years of an exit, let me know. We have a special event coming up September 17 that you will want to be part of.

#founder #founders #exit

If you’re not asking these questions now, you will certainly be asking them later.

1. Why did you get into your business in the first place?
2. How has that changed?
3. How is leading your business different now than what you originally expected?
4. How easy or difficult has it been?
5. What do you continue to struggle with?
6. How is your marriage? Your relationships? Your health?
7. What does your dream exit look like?
8. What problems will your dream exit solve for you?
9. What will it be like the day after your exit?
10. What will you be doing one year after your exit? Five years? Ten?

What if…

What if you KNEW how other founders, post-exit, answer these questions?

What if you could ASK those founders anything you’d like?

A Special Event is Coming in September

On Tuesday September 17 at noon eastern, I will be moderating a panel of founders who have had and advised dozens of exits between them.

Would you like to make sure you get an invitation?

Respond “FOUNDER” below and I or someone on my team will send you the info and make sure you’re include.

And be sure to keep an eye on my posts between now and then—hit the bell to make sure you don’t miss any! I’ll be talking with lots of founders about all of these topics.

#founder #founders #exit

SPECIAL EVENT on July 9!

For most founders, acquisition of their company is the ultimate goal.

Whether for financial gain, outward accomplishment, or internal fulfillment, the dream of growth and exit is a powerful force.

But what is really on the other side of that dream?

Does an exit truly deliver what founders envision?

Is the journey worth the sacrifice?

Does it need to be so difficult?

Join us on Tuesday, July 9th, at 12 pm Eastern for After the Exit: Is There Happiness Beyond the Deal?

This panel discussion will feature successful serial entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals who serve founders before and after their exits.

This will be a unique opportunity to learn from those who have been to the other side and to get a real sense of what awaits.

You will hear directly from experts with hundreds of exits among them.

Join us if you want to:

⁃ Get a backstage pass to what life looks like after an exit.

⁃ Walk away with strategies for maximizing satisfaction.

⁃ Learn ways to navigate the emotional ups and downs of the process.

⁃ Explore the possibility of finding joy along the journey AND afterwards.

Live attendance is limited, with preference given to founders currently on the path to growth and exit, as well as those who have recently exited. A replay will be available for all.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain invaluable insights that will prepare you for a fulfilling journey during and after your exit.

Please comment “Otherside” below to receive the registration link via DM.

I’m looking forward to this great conversation.

#founder #founders #exit

I work with a lot of founders who think that a big check will fix everything.

But it’s simply not true.

Yes, the work of building a business is tough. And it is, in many ways, admirable.

But the idea that a big exit will make it all worthwhile is simply wrong.

Here are some key ways that I’ve seen founders let down by their exits.

You Feel Like You Got Screwed

The actual process of getting to the deal is hard. Compromises are made. Founders are getting more money than they have ever had, but have this nagging suspicion that they could have gotten more, and it haunts them.

You Don’t Know Your Family Anymore

Most founders lose themselves in the business. They do it because they love it, because it gives them rewards in a way that nothing else does.

The cost of this is their relationships.

Your kids don’t understand why you aren’t around, why you missed their recitals and games. And they probably blame themselves.

Your spouse doesn’t admire your sacrifice. Your spouse is angry at your absence.

Coming back to that, after years or even decades, is a stark reminder of all the difficult conversations you’ve been avoiding.

You Still Feel Like A Fraud

Almost every overachiever I work with has a deep desire to prove themselves, fueled by a deep suspicion that there is something wrong with them.

I struggled with this myself for the better part of four decades, and it still rears its ugly head from time to time. There was no title or amount of money that could make it go away.

The founder who gets the exit gets hit with this twice—first in thinking that they really don’t know what they are doing in the business, and second that they got a big check for their efforts and yet they “know” that they really don’t deserve it.

You’re Addicted To Stress

What do you do when you no longer own the business? You’ve been in firefighting mode for so long it’s hard to put the hose down.

After a week of golf you’re scratching your eyes out.

How do you learn to enjoy what you have created?

How do you learn to be comfortable again?

Can You Be Happy Now?

If you create a business that you love working with people you love, you won’t need an exit to fix you.

And, if you get an exit, you will actually enjoy it.

Are you interested in hearing more?

I’m moderating an invitation-only event for founders on July 9 at noon eastern time. If you’re a founder who’s within two years of an exit, you won’t want to miss it.

The Art of the Exit: Is There Happiness Beyond the Deal?

If you have a sneaking suspicion a big exit won’t fix everything in your life, comment “Invite, please” below or send me a DM for a personal invitation to this event.

A distinguished panel of founders with multiple exits and others who have advised founders through exits will share their observations and learning.

It’s guaranteed to be thought-provoking and to give you ideas you can put into action today.

You don’t have to go through the exit letdown. In fact, you might even start getting what you have been looking for BEFORE the exit.

I look forward to hearing from you.