When I started my business, MedRecruit, I set a standard for the results I wanted to achieve and the impact I wanted to have in the industry. To do this I worked 12-14 hours a day, seven days a week, for years. We became the fastest growing service business in the country and outgrew all our competitors by many multiples.
A standard means that it’s a must, that in the end if you haven’t achieved it then it’s not the end.
When we got pregnant with our first daughter Zara I realised that I didn’t want to be a father who was always at the office, so in the nine months Claire was carrying Zara I hired a management team and built systems so that we could continue to achieve the results I wanted, and this could happen without me working all waking hours.
Essentially at the start I set a standard for outcomes, then I added in a standard for input.
And I think this is the right order. Too often I talk with business owners just getting started, or established owners going through a major crisis that threatens the existence of their business, who are talking about work-life balance.
Forget about it. When you’re in the traction phase or fighting for your survival you need a standard for outcomes, whatever the input required.
But, once you are getting the results you want I do believe that it’s critical to add a standard for input, because otherwise you are likely to burn out and forget why you’re doing it in the first place.
The key is to be conscious about it and get the timing right.
A while ago we were at a horse show. Zara and I walked the course, and I read the jump off and told Zara what it was.
Observing many people and many businesses over time, I’ve observed two factors within your control that lead to much great returns.
Every morning, I meditate with Ernie resting his head on my lap. It’s a special time.
We should eat more leafy greens, go plant based, eat fish not red meat, don’t eat dairy…