From time to time, I send out information and announcements related to business development.
Well…today is a bit different.
I want to pull back the curtain and share something more personal.
So here goes. I was recently speaking with my good buddy, Michael Margolis (www.GetStoried.com). My business is about freedom for entrepreneurs: The freedom to be who you really are, rather than who you think you “should” be to be accepted and “fit in.” The freedom to contribute your gifts, talents, wisdom, and experiences in ways to touch other people’s lives, however big or small. The freedom to define what prosperity means to you – and live it.
Heck, freedom (or lack thereof) is why I retired from the practice of plastic surgery when I was 40 years old. I felt trapped, unfulfilled, and alone. Leaving a career that I devoted my entire early adult life toward was very challenging in many ways – mentally and emotionally. Yet, my collective experiences — the good, the sad, the bad, the ugly — contributed to who I am today and what I have to contribute and share with others.
What I never told you is that I made this year the year of “Brilliant Revelation.”
I’m serious.
To me, “brilliant revelation” means sharing and giving of myself in ways that shine light, insight, and inspiration with those whose paths cross with mine. It means giving everything I’ve got, in support of my purpose in this lifetime.
And frankly, this has been a challenging theme to fulfill on for me, at least at the level I believe is possible.
But….(the infamous “But”)…
Along these lines, there is one REALLY BIG request I’ve heard from people who know me that I’ve been holding back on – for years, despite their strong requests, pleadings, and demands.
I’ve been working through this internal resistance and I’m contemplating changing my mind and giving what I’ve got, even if it’s “not perfect.”
I hate to admit this, but I’m super nervous because it means sharing with you more of myself in ways that I haven’t in the past.
The part that scares me the most, is that I’m also going to need your help. And I don’t even like to telling you that, either.
Anyway, enough for now… (stay tuned until next time)
George
P.S. I’ll be back with more details in a couple of days, while I gather my thoughts. But until then, tell me in the comments what “business freedom” means to you.
Hi George, nice website and meaninfull words to me.
I got to know you thru MMargolis’s twitter..
I wonder what do you mean by business freedom? Free of working.
Sorry but as Im an ARGENTINIAN sometimes some expressions of phrases take some time to ring the bell.
Im going to sign up right away to your freedom pack..!
Cheers and hasta la vista!
Teo from Argentina
Teo,
Thanks for your question for clarification; it’s a really important one!
“Business freedom” means building a business where you are able to fully express who you are, to fulfill on the greater purpose of your life by showcasing your gifts, talents, abilities and wisdom in support of a vision that is greater than you alone.
“Business freedom”also means that your business is optimized for making a lasting, meaningful contribution to others, while being a model and champion of prosperity, in every sense of the word.
Said differently, “business freedom” means you follow your heart, your mind says “yes” to your heart, and you ride that energy wave through all the ups and downs, bumps and bruises to success (however way you define “success”).
What do you think? Does this ring any bells for you?
I’d love to hear about how you’d define “business freedom”. 🙂
George
Business Freedom to me means being able to be fully present and myself in my interactions. both with my clients and my support team. It also means not being attached at the hip to my business.. time available to spend with friends and family and to explore other creative expressions.
Eileen,
I agree wholeheartedly!
The pursuit of freedom certainly does come with its own set of challenges, though!
In my personal experience and observation of others, freedom starts from within. Isn’t that the key: To unlock our greatest abilities, talents, and gifts, and shine them where they can be best appreciated and used?
George
Go for it George.
You and I both retired from medicine about 12 years ago now for the simple reason that we were not being authentic. We were living someone else’s dream. We were going for it by playing a part in someone else’s vision.
And being a entrepreneur has stages in my experience.
The first is simply starting your first business. There is so much involved in those first couple years in just learning how to be an independent business person, there isn’t much room for a real expression of who you are and there is a feeling that you have to act and be a certain way to be taken seriously as a business person.
And at this point, several businesses down the road (so successful, some not so much) I think you and I are at the same place.
If we are going to do the work to be an entrepreneur … let’s cut the bullshit of roles and playing by the rules and follow the Dr. Seuss quote:
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter”
My new business is built on my own experiences of surviving and recreation through the process of a functional Midlife Crisis. I am being me, telling it like it is and it all feels better than ever. With the added bonus that when I am really me, the people who become my clients are doing so because they want to work with me and not some role I am playing.
Reminds me of the Sally Fields Oscar Acceptance speech. “You like me, you really like me!”
So I say BRING IT ON GEORGE and your people will be there to support you.
My two cents in the early morning,
Dike
Dike Drummond MD
http://www.threehourmidlifecrisis.com
Dike,
You said it: Business freedom is living your own dream, fulfilling on your own grander purpose and vision, isn’t it.
Over the years, our journeys have intersected, run in parallel, sometimes on the same path! And lots of times, this path has been and is really nerve-wracking, confronting, and scary.
You know as doctors, we are “supposed” to have all the answers. I may know a lot, but I don’t have all the answers. (But I do like to fantasize that I do.)
I started this post because I’ve got some ideas, some of them make a difference. And lots of people have encouraged me to get them out into the world, to allow them to germinate and grow. But in the background, I wonder if anyone really cares. If anyone is really listening. It’s silly, when I look back I what I just wrote!
There’s the rub for me: Being open to receiving support. Wanting to be supported, while at the same time, attempting to appear to have all the answers.
That Dr. Seuss quotation is spot on!
I appreciate your sensitivity to what I’m all about and your support.
George
Thanks for the encouragement!!!
Business Freedom; The ability to fully “BE” me in all of my interactions. The courage to allow all of me to be seen in the light of business and to be willing to hold to what I know to be right and correct for me and shine that to the world.
“Being” the light in business and showing the way for others to know that they too can “BE” all of who they are and never need to compromise for the almighty dollar. To know that prosperity is an inside job and when you follow your heart, prosperity must be manifest.
To know that your dreams are right and true and valid.
This is (Business) FREEDOM!
Lorayne,
I really like your visual about “being” the light in business and showing the way for others to know that they too can “BE”…
There are so many different interpretations about what “business freedom” means to each of us; I really enjoy hearing and reading them, as these different perspectives allow me to challenge and expand my own.
One thing I wonder, though, is whether “profitability” gets lost in the umbrella of “prosperity.” The concept of prosperity is such an expansive term, that unless one is specific, including profitability frequently gets overlooked.
What do you think about that?
And now I’m curious: In the context of “business freedom,” how do YOU describe what “prosperity” means to you? (if you don’t mind sharing) 🙂
George
To me “Business Freedom” means I am in a position to have a major positive impact on my clients, who love working with me, and vice-versa. We are able to “do the math” to show that our work together produces hard-dollar measureable outcomes that benefit my client, THEIR clients, and me. I work ONLY with the best clients and let go of marginal clients. I make business decisions that are focused solely on what is best for my clients and me — not on any financial concerns. In fact, I live each day without a thought about revenue. It simply comes out of the work I do with clients. I have seen “glimpses” of this “business freedom” goal throughout my lifetime. SUSTAINING that business freedom . . . ah, there’s the rub for me. 🙂 Bill Metcalf
Bill,
Thanks for your insight!
When you wrote about “SUSTAINING that business freedom…” and “In fact, I live each day without a thought about revenue.”, you nailed some key issues.
Said differently, what I think you are saying is that you work with clients because they are a good match for you – you “resonate” with them, there’s good chemistry – not because you need the money.
So Bill, here’s a question for you:
How do you know who your “best” clients are?
How do you identify your “marginal” clients?
Having clear selection criteria and specific guidelines or measures for “best” clients and “marginal” clients are critical building blocks to sustaining business freedom.
George
George
What? You had me click through from your newsletter teaser to find a longer teaser? Isn’t that like taking an add to send people to a commercial!? Ah George, you left me hanging! (I do see you’ve just posted your follow-up, but wanted to razz you in the meantime!)
Ah, yeah, I knew I was setting myself up for this! But it was worth it in a devilish kind of way!
George, although I can’t say I know you all that well, I can say I regard you as an authentic person – and your presence with your family is always a delight. Can’t wait to read more!