Which of these two statements do you think applies to most restaurant owners?
- They don’t work enough hours and, if they worked more, they could experience more success.
- They work too many hours and, if they didn’t, they would have much more rewarding lives.
After decades of working with successful owners of multi-unit independent restaurant companies, I guarantee the big issue is number 2: the work ethic (or paranoia) that leads to working too many hours.
The Spring Break Example
In Texas this week, we enjoy spring break, with entire neighborhoods of families with school-age kids empty because they’re on vacation.
But not everyone sets themselves up to leave, so their kids stare at screens in the house all day long.
By Wednesday, it is going to be ugly.
Solving People’s Problems
In the past month, I connected with a successful business owner who has operated for 40 years, works 60 hours in a seven-day week, and will become a grandparent in September. Something has to give.
Another 40-year multi-unit operator I met seldom sees their family on the other side of the world, and they’ve realized that they have to let go of operations now so they can enjoy the freedom they’ve earned.
But even if you’re not old enough to get the $2 senior citizens discount at the movies, you can still create your own freedom.
One of my favorite success stories is my client who bought a house in Hawaii but never had the chance to use it—until we recreated their company so he could be gone for weeks (or months) at a time.
And an operator I work with just turned 40—part of a generation that has a healthier view of personal priorities. We work to get the people in their company ready to carry the load so the owner can spend time with their children while they start elementary school.
Take Advantage of Your Opportunities
As a business owner, you have the opportunity to create your own freedom. So many people who work their whole lives will never have the freedom that’s available to you, and they would be shocked that you don’t take advantage of it. To them, it looks like you’re throwing away a winning lottery ticket every day.
When I started my practice, it surprised me how much of my work shows successful people how to organize their companies so they can get away.
In my career, I have spent much more time convincing people to leave work and enjoy the success they have achieved than I have spent trying to convince others to work more.
My invitation to you? Start by envisioning your perfect desired schedule, with you working only at your place of highest use or on your favorite things. Organize your company so you can do what you want with your family, friends, hobbies, charities, or at your vacation home.
