What Is Time Freedom?
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”
— Henry David Thoreau
How do you define time freedom? As a result of the pandemic shifting priorities for nearly everyone on the planet, in the past 3 years the number of new business startups has exploded. For many, one main reason was to realize time freedom. We were tired of someone else deciding when we had to work and when/how much time we could take off. Time marched on, and without realizing it we created the very business we were trying to escape, working more hours than ever with blurred lines between work and leisure.
The past three months have sharpened my definition of time freedom and how I’m shifting the structure of my business so it can continue to support me.
In early November my dad went into the hospital. His journey for the last two months of his life included hospital, rehab, home care, hospital again, a horrible nursing home, and lastly a loving, supportive, caring, senior living facility. During this time, in early December my mom went into the hospital and passed away less than a week later. For three months, while my sister and I were caring and advocating for our parents in their last days, my business supported me in ways I didn’t know I needed. I worked at 10% capacity. In fact, two days before my mom passed away she said she had a bone to pick with me. This is my mom, so I thought for sure that I was in trouble. She insisted that I go back to work. ‘No, Ma, I have to be here. You and dad are more important than work’ I replied. I was willing to let my business burn down in exchange for caring for them. <—— That right there is the definition of a core value. Not knowing it would be the last time I spoke with her, to appease her I agreed and went to work the following day. In retrospect would I have worked that day? Fuck no. As the old adage goes, I’d give anything for just one more day with her. And also, that day was for her to spend laughing, crying and storytelling with her twin sister and nieces, not me.
So my question for you again is, what does time freedom mean to you? The answer will help define your business model, pricing structure and employee structure. For me, being able to walk away on a dime, for an indeterminate amount of time, is key. Whether it’s a family emergency, or a flare up of my autoimmune disease, time freedom to me means having the ability to put myself and my family first. For you it may mean having the ability to work from anywhere; allowing you to continue to work while you fly across the country to be with loved ones, or work from a seasonal home at the beach or in the jungle. Or perhaps you are best supported by having flexible rhythms to your day, working at non-traditional times; allowing you to follow your cycle or work when you are most productive.
With time freedom as a core tenant of my business, I’m using it as one (very large) brick in the foundation for future business decisions. Everything from pricing model to service and product offerings to employee benefits. The immediate shifts in my business include hiring people in a financially sustainable way, ie, full time, part time, or subcontractors. Expanding my team is a priority, and I’m doing it strategically. I do not want to grow my business broke. My mid term goal is adjusting my product suite to include group programs, as well as in person and virtual masterminds. This will allow me to help more people concurrently, reducing overall time spent repeating myself. It will also diversify my income stream by providing passive income. Long term, my goal is to own a building for office space that includes a ‘resting room’ for myself, staff and clients. I’m so super excited for it! I’ve been visioneering it since last summer. This space will be spa-like with an ergonomic acupuncture/massage table, meditation cushions and soothing peaceful music. Working through money stories can be stressful and I want to provide a luxurious space that allows people to support their nervous system while they expand their beliefs.
With the sharp rise in new business owners, the number of people living with burnout has increased dramatically. By defining what time freedom means to you, you’ll be better able to create a business model that supports you as the business owner. Growing my business in this way will ensure that it will not only survive when I take time away from it, but that it will thrive.
Is your business supporting you? What changes can you make to ensure it does?
Journaling is a big part of my daily life. It’s how I know what I think. Otherwise it gets all jumbled up in my head and influences my decisions unconsciously. Living life on purpose with intention is my goal. Journaling helps me get there. Free writing is my preferred method, but sometimes I need a little push in a direction to get started. I thought maybe you may need some inspiration as well.
Enter the question of the day writing prompts:
What areas of your life require courage and strength right now?
What have been your most creative or magical moments and what role did limits play in them?
What creative pursuits or projects do you feel inspired to explore during this season?
How can you open your heart more fully to love and compassion, both for yourself and others?
What activities or practices can you engage in to recharge your energy and feel more alive?
Question everything. And then move forward with grace and love.
Diane
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