Funny thing…

I just looked up “personal freedom” on Google and came up with 1,290,000 results. I then looked up “personal business freedom” and came up with just 11 (milana.com being at the very top).

Perhaps no one is talking about it. Or perhaps no one calls it that way.

While personal freedom to most people means financial freedom (you’ll also find many references to religious and political freedom), I am talking about entrepreneurial freedom.

What many business owners experience I would call becoming a victim of “entrepreneurial mirage”.

Quoting  “Business Week” at Entrepreneurial “Freedom” Equals “Enslavement…

People start their own businesses and become entrepreneurs because they dream of having the freedom and rewards that can come from being their own boss. However, after observing thousands of entrepreneurs over the years, I’ve found the rule—not the exception—is that, after a period of time, businesses become enslaving rather than freedom-giving!

Most [entrepreneurs] loved the jobs they were doing and thought they would be happier, healthier, and wealthier if they did it on their own. What happens over time, however, is that they begin to be swallowed up by all of the hundreds of details associated with running a business, and the parts of the business they truly loved when they started get put on the back burner in favor of all the urgent and necessary tasks that have to be done.

While it’s often a badge of honor for businessmen to brag about how many hours they work per week, in the long run no one can truly work at peak efficiency and enjoy long-term health and life balance working such a grueling and stressful schedule. “Enslavement” by your business is ultimately a choice. If you choose to be free again, you can do it.

Free…

What does it really mean to be free from the chains of your business?

Here are just a couple of examples of entrepreneurs changing their business models and their mindset to achieve personal business freedom:

• Letting go half of her clients to create more time and do less travel. She used this time to create a subscription-based program and can now enjoy new revenue stream without doing hourly work or leaving her home. This required a serious mind shift (heck, most people would say, “Let go half of my clients? Are you nuts?!”) and a true desire to change her lifestyle.

• Creating a certification program and passing off some of his clients to the consultants he certified. This required an important mind shift - accepting that he is not the only one who can deliver value to his clients in his company, and being willing to let go some of the income to create more free time and improve his lifestyle.

• Partnering with another company to deliver services she could offer herself. Some might think, “But aren’t I leaving money on the table? Aren’t I giving business away??” She decided that it’s not the best investment of her time AND that someone else can do it much better.

ACTION WANTED - PLEASE, POST YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS QUESTION:

What have you done in the last 12 months to create more “personal business freedom?”

Please, please, share! I’d love more examples, because it seems that a great majority of entrepreneurs just work, work, work… and have become slaves to their income!

And  I don’t mean “being your own boss”, or “being able to work from home”, etc. I am talking about creating ways for your business to exist and thrive without you being chained to it…or, ideally, without you even being there!

22 Comments

• By Marc Dagenais, December 1, 2008 @ 11:58 pm

  I have hired a student in sports marketing and trained him to do a lot of my daily web 2.0 internet marketing stuff like manage my facebook account (wishing b-days, asking for friends, posting tips, etc.), doing my social bookmarking for me, writing and posting articles, etc.

  This has been a great return on investment.
• By Shawn Driscoll, December 2, 2008 @ 11:05 am

  This is not just the last 12 months…but from the start I have asked myself this question….How can I have the most impact, the most fun and make the most money while working under 24 hours a week?

  I have never worked more than that…it’s been a strict boundary. But that question forces me to think creatively and so NO to alot of ‘good ideas’ that aren’t right for me.

  In the last 12 months that has meant:
  –Doing a JV with another leading coach and creating a group mastermind program that other coaches also coach…coaching 1 to many
  –Creating some ‘foundational’ educational programs and products that ground clients in core principles so I don’t have to do that 1:1 or in our groups
  –Repackaging and refocusing my ENTIRE business ready for launch in January 2009…
  –Having my artistic 6 year old create a lovely CLOSED sign that gets hung on my shut laptop the minute they come in the door from school so I don’t let a ’sneak peak’ turn into a slippery slope of email and ‘busy work’.

  Shawn Driscoll
  Your Vision. Your Voice. Your Path.
• By Lillian Cauldwell, December 2, 2008 @ 11:11 am

  I own and operate an Internet talk radio station. Completing my 3rd year and loving it. In my “free” time, I write paranormal mysteries for young adults, mentor junior and senior high school students in writing their first novel, write Black comedies and theatre of the Absurd plays, and speak. I’ve arranged my schedule so that I don’t start working on my company until 4 p.m. In between recording sessions, I work on other things. My station doesn’t run or rule me. I learned a long time ago that one must work smart, and so arrange my work days like that.
  On Friday afternoons, my time is my own until the station starts running “live” programming at 3:30 p.m.
  Lillian S. Cauldwell
  Passionate Internet Voices Talk Radio, Inc.
  Voices of the People - United We Roar! TM
• By Susan Daffron, December 2, 2008 @ 11:13 am

  Set up a long-term plan to transition our business to becoming a small publishing company. We have published 9 books and a software product so far, which provide residual income streams. On a personal level, thanks to virtual outsourcing and better scheduling, we now do our weekly errands on Friday, which frees up the entire weekend for us to do whatever we want. For years, we went to the grocery store, etc on Saturdays, leaving us only one day to ourselves; now we have the entire weekend. At some point, we plan to take Fridays off completely. The next step will be to start taking Mondays off.
• By Virtual Lucinda, December 2, 2008 @ 11:15 am

  I have created 2 clones that I have spent time with during the summer to train and work with two other virtual assistants with a “marketing mindset”. I also created a funnel system that allows me to have more time on product creation.
• By Jaynine, December 2, 2008 @ 11:24 am

  Milana, this is such an easy question to answer. I was introduced to your book in June or July of this year. I immediately decided it was my bible on how I should run my business. Since then I have been busy designing my products for my product funnel and see the brilliance in having passive revenue generating products. I am now working smarter and less thanks to being introduced to you!

  Yours truly…turning dreams into reality,
  Jaynine Howard
• By Dr. Adams, III, December 2, 2008 @ 11:31 am

  Milana,

  This is a fantastic question! In fact, it’s one of those questions that cause you to stop and think, “what have I REALLY done to create personal business freedom in the last 12 months.”

  In my case, I’d answer the question by saying there is so much more I need to do. I will look at this question as a challenge, monitor the posts, and at some point respond with some great results.

  Thanks for asking!

  Dr. Adams, III
• By Marquita, December 2, 2008 @ 11:35 am

  One of the biggest ways I give myself more personal freedom is by managing my calendar better. I addd workout times to my daily schedule and get a reminder just as if I was meeting with a client.

  Last week, I went through my 2009 calendar and scheduled a full month off next summer as well as a week in the spring and a week at Christmas. I also try not to schedule work on Fridays.

  I am my most important product and I need to take care of that.

  So schedule time for personal freedom, you’ll actually be more productive the rest of the year!

  Marquita
• By Leelo Bush, December 2, 2008 @ 11:47 am

  The way I have created more freedom, is to delegate more. Sometimes we just need to force ourselves to let go and let someone else take care of something.
  Second, I have become more disciplined at making myself take time off. When we love our work, it feels more like fun than a job, so we need to set parameters and then keep them. Even in the ministry we can get burnt out if we don’t learn to take care of ourselves.
  Discipline is key to staying on track. How does one establish better discipline? Isn’t accountability a huge part of what we provide as coaches?
• By Gwynne Warner, December 2, 2008 @ 1:46 pm

  #1 I have been modeling my business more and more on folks who are living that business freedom–such as yourself, Ali Brown, Kendall Summerhawk…

  #2 Now have four people I delegate too–whoo hoo!

  #3 Schedule yummy things for myself inside of my work week such as refelxology, acupuncture, visits to our Chinese Gardens where there’s a fabulous tea room

  Great post, thank you!
  Gwynne
• By Gregg Swanson, December 2, 2008 @ 2:03 pm

  I’ve developed the mental strength to focus on one task at a time until completion. Multitasking sometimes can be beneficial, but my experience has been to focus, complete and move on.
  To Your Inner Strength!
  Gregg Swanson
• By Wilf Archer, December 2, 2008 @ 2:07 pm

  Hi Milana
  Over the past four years I have gone from my death bed to life and over the past year I have grown from Life to abundance. Several years ago I was exposed to a toxic dust in an industrial accident and this caused a gradual deterioration in my lungs capacity to exchange oxygen. By 2003 my lungs were so badly affected that I was unable to even walk more than a few steps without stopping for breath and as a result I was unable to work. My immune system was shot and any exposure to even the mildest pollutant would induce life threatening seizures. Without going into medical details, my family were called to the foot of my hospital bed, on several occasions, to say their final farewells to their father.

  I loved my life and I loved my gamily so I wasn’t giving in without a fight. Then in February 2004 I felt a seizure coming on and I turned to my wife and said that I had had enough of the pain and distress and I was not going to come through this one.

  I closed my eyes and for the first time in four years I was at peace. I felt no pain or hurt, the quiet and darkness was beautiful.

  In the silence I heard a voice, I don’t know who or where it came from but it spoke directly to me. There was no other sound but this voice that filled my very being. “It is not your time. Go back and deny this illness. Return and reject the damage. Learn what you need to learn and do what you need to do.”

  I opened my eyes and the pain came rushing back yet I was filled with hope and faith. I could still hear the echo of that voice and I knew that everything would work out.

  Anyway that is the background to what I have achieved this year. Well I am in great health. I am off all medication and live a happy, active life and this year I have set up my Health Coaching practice helping others overcome their personal and relationship problems. I have coached three couples who were having difficulties conceiving to becoming pregnant, two have delivered beautiful babies and one is due in a few weeks. I run health coaching sessions for individuals and groups online via my virtual coaching office and online video coaching suite.

  I am not a healer but I help people unlock the healer that is within themselves. I do not charge for this service but accept donations.

  However to earn a living, I have found myself helping other coaches tap into the power of delivering sessions via an online video coaching suite. It’s great to meet face to face with clients around the world.

  My website is http://www.mindskills.co.uk

  Information on my online coaching facility can be found at

  http://www.globalpreneurs.com/mindskills

  In the past year – life has been good to me.

  Wilf Archer
• By Gabrielle, December 2, 2008 @ 2:35 pm

  I’ve done a couple of new things to gain some personal freedom. One, I hire temporary help as needed. Second, I hired a tax accountant. Third, I simply chose to reclaim some personal time by stopping work daily at 6pm and rarely working weekends.
• By Frances, December 2, 2008 @ 4:02 pm

  I hired a student and I’m looking to hire more.

  I taped some of my workshops to turn into products.

  I’m on AWeber now.
• By Revka, December 2, 2008 @ 4:29 pm

  I own a website and blog design business. I am in the process of making some drastic changes in an effort to avoid this very thing.

  *signed up with ebizac.com which will help automate many administrative tasks, like autoresponders, sending newsletters, managing subscriptions, etc.
  *I am in the process of creating a subscription-based product so I can have recurring income for doing the work once.
  *I am looking for someone to whom I can outsource some smaller projects.
  * I am letting my co-designer handle more of the marketing and promotion aspect.

  In short, I am trying to find the areas where I am just wasting my time and am creating better solutions to the problems in those areas.
• By Geraldine, December 2, 2008 @ 7:34 pm

  I hired a business coach to help me repackage my business. However, she refused to help me until I’d taken 3 months off work to focus on “being”, not “doing”. I eventually agreed (my husband
  immediately agreed - “I’ve never seen you relaxed”, he said - and 3 months turned into 7 months off!!

  What I learned, was to build in daily habits of slowing down and listening to myself and the “flow” around me. The more I stayed away from my business (pushing, struggling) the better the business is! The more connected I am with myself and the “flow”, the more opportunities arrive.

  Interestingly, I found my new life approach paralleled with my new niche within a niche - working with independent professionals who want to overcome speaking fears to speak with ease and authenticity - I found the techniques are one and the same - so there’s a lovely integrity and sense of “rightness” there which is restful and means, I don’t have to work so hard at being me or running my business. I generally work about 4-5 hours a day unless I have a big event on. And sometimes, I just take the day off.
• By helen, December 3, 2008 @ 6:19 am

  This is actually the most important thing I tell my clients. ‘Improve your life’ is the slogan of oberon coaching. I make it my goal to introduce people to finding a perfect balance between work and pleasure. And what is more rewarding than making your passion into your daily job. That’s what I’m doing now. Just finding a few more clients and I’m all set. I work just 10 hours a week and read a lot during my free time. just playing with the kids. Just use the slogan that my gynacologist once told me: ‘a happy mommy makes a happy baby’. It’s the same for an employee ‘happy workers make happy money (and a lot more)’
• By Aunice, December 7, 2008 @ 10:48 am

  Ok. Everybody is going to die from laughter, but what I’ve done in the last 12 months to free myself up is to create an autoresponder for my clients. I feel like a dinosaur, but for the longest time I was actually answering lots of emails…personally. As you can probably guess it ate up lots of time.

  The other thing I did was stop doing the newsletter thing. I now do an e-course instead which has freed me up sooo much! (thanks to your book, “Coaching Millions”)
• By Ken, December 8, 2008 @ 10:11 pm

  Wow..it is refreshing to see so many people taking control of their lives and enjoying a life of freedom !!

  Earlier this year I left a career that was not fulfilling and started my own company, Amazing Saint Coaching and Consulting. I have enjoyed being available to spend more time with my children - attending their activities and taking time to go have lunch with them.

  I am working to find more ways to automate activities - I discovered a great system for staying in touch with friends and clients.

  The year has had challenges…but, I am enjoying the freedom !!
• By Amanda Solomon, December 22, 2008 @ 5:24 pm

  GREAT QUESTION MILANA,
  I have takin my coaching business to the “next level” by first, acknowledging that I AM A COACH and this is an actual coaching business. I have been operating in the position of a life coach for over 10 years but, not taking it seriously enough to call it a business. In the last 12 months I have really “stepped it up” by taking thoughts off paper and implimenting them. I am now ficilitating a workshop at a Community College in town (from a class to a workshop) I am now working on a workbook(product) to offer in that workshop. I am working on my “niche” utilizing my years of theatre experience in my business, and I am daily plugging into entrepreneural training to increase my skills. I have learned to be passionate about my contribution to life. It’s SO COOL I get to do this.

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1. acupuncture job — December 7, 2008 @ 2:00 am

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