How to Play the Balancing Act of Entrepreneurs in South Africa
How far are you prepared to go to achieve success? Entrepreneurs are often so driven to achieve business success that they lose sight of the advantages of having a balanced life. The big question is whether it is possible to achieve a balanced life and still be a super successful entrepreneur. I suppose it all depends on what you define as a success.
“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget making a life.”
This quote from Dolly Parton, the famous American Country singer, is probably a good take on the mere act of losing yourself while making a living. But then again, you could be so busy making a life that you forget to make a living. It remains a fine balancing act.
In fact, one of Dolly Parton’s most famous quotes remains: “If you want a rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.”
The Sacrifice of Success in South Africa
This is a topic that one could have unlimited late-night conversations. Is it possible to enjoy solid success without the sacrifices it takes? I was brought up in a home where the importance of dedication was instilled in us from the beginning. That no success of any nature will come to you without the sacrifice. But then there is sacrifice, and there is sacrifice.
Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, to name but a few of his companies, is probably on the extreme end of the scale when it comes to sacrifice. He has been hovering in and out of the top spot for the world’s richest man for a number of years now. Known for his intense work ethic, Musk is proud of the fact that he often works over 80 hours a week.
He believes in immersing himself in work to achieve innovation and success, which can lead to sacrifices in personal life. Yes, Musk’s personal life is definitely not ideal for the average family man. His approach [i]often leaves little room for traditional work-life balance, as he prioritizes his companies’ needs.
Is this all worth it? A very good question to discuss!
Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, advocates for prioritizing health and relationships. He emphasizes the importance of spending time with family and friends while managing his workload effectively. Buffett’s philosophy includes enjoying life beyond work, which aligns more closely with traditional views of work-life balance[ii].
And then there is Richard Branson, who is probably my favourite amongst this trio. Richard Branson: The Virgin Group founder stresses the importance of fun and enjoyment in both work and personal life. He believes in delegating his tasks to free up time for other interests, promoting a healthier balance between professional and personal pursuits.[iii]
Choosing your Entrepreneurship Balance
Your business life encompasses a lot of choices. I grew up in a home where my dad was busy building homes throughout the day and had meetings with prospective clients in the evenings. There was very little time to fav around. He did not believe, like most builders nowadays, that he was only on-site to keep inspection and to manage. He was physically building every day. The AHI Business Forum meetings were held in the evenings. Seeing clients build their homes was kept for the evenings. Saturdays were however golf days and Sundays were church days.
Likewise, we all have a choice how we plan on spending out days. The scary part is that time does not stand still. A day waisted is a day waisted. If you have not planned and executed the tasks that will push you forward into tomorrow, your day is pretty much a waste. And wasting too many days, can become a massive problem.
The Eight Spokes of a Balanced Life
I often find that my new clients believe that business coaching and brand building coaching is all about getting the job done. The How-to’s of marketing your business. The percentage is probably debatable, but I believe that your personal life and aspirations have got a good 60 – 70% influence on your success as an entrepreneur or not.
A big chunk of my book The Ultimate Roadmap to Rediscover your Business Adventures revolve around your personal life and the influence that it plays on your everyday to-dos. More specifically, I do believe that keeping your eight spokes of your life in a working and running condition, plays a massive part. We have discussed the Eight Spokes of a Balanced Life previously and you could check out the components applicable here. I do however advise that you sign up for our focus articles on each section of the Balanced Wheel within the next month or two. Sign up for our newsletter here, to insure that you do not miss out.
[i] https://www.africanews.com/2024/05/03/top-10-richest-people-in-the-world-as-of-may-1-2024/
[ii] https://clockit.io/5-work-life-balance-tips-billionaire-entrepreneurs/
[iii] https://money.com/richard-branson-work-life-balance-work-from-home-career-advice/#:~:text=Branson%20says%20he%20still%20works,hard%20but%20also%20play%20hard.%22
