I loved, I mean LOVED, this movie when it came out! My grandma was a HUGE Dolly Parton fan. If you haven’t seen it, you should! “There’s a better life and you dream about it don’t you? It’s a rich man’s game, don’t matter what they call it- Dolly Parton”

Are you working to live? Or living to work? I mean the point of being an entrepreneur is not having anyone else to answer to right? You get to set the rules and make the rules. So why do we think we have to work the hours that society has imposed upon us? That’s part of the joy of having our own business. Yes, we have to generate our own income, but we also can go to the pool if the feeling strikes us, right?

Have you ever watched the show Undercover Boss? Talk about heart-warming. I dare to watch that show and not cry! Go on, I dare you! At least you will be touched. What do all of those entrepreneurs have in common? I’ve noticed a couple of things.

One, they all make time for family. They work hard when they need to, but they also play hard. They enjoy what they’ve worked for thoroughly. Why shouldn’t you enjoy what you work for as well? Yes, I know, especially Americans, we’re told we have to work and we’ve got to work hard! I disagree. I would always prefer to work smarter, not harder!

Two, they give back. These owners are going back into their businesses to see what is working and what is not working on a basic level. In the midst of doing this, they’re running across people who are working in underling positions in their company, but are doing a stellar job. In some cases, they’re doing an abysmal job, but you get the point. They go onto this show, ready to give back to these employees that are doing great work and reward them. Some of the owners REALLY go out of their way too. You’re nothing without good people working underneath you.

Three, they’re ready to change what is not working. Not only do they want to see who is doing well and who is not doing well on an employee level, but they also want to see what minute details in their business might be slipping through the cracks. I use a hashtag (#reducerecyclereuse) a lot with content. It has a double meaning. It’s okay to recycle, not EVERYONE saw it the first time you posted it. Plus, it’s a popular catchphrase and might bring people to your page that wouldn’t normally be there.

Four, this is possibly the biggest thing for entrepreneurs to remember, is to take time off. I work from my phone A LOT and I could be checking it every 30 seconds and probably find something new to attend to, but I would make myself crazy and I would probably never see my family. That’s the purpose right? So we can spend more time with our family. So, take time off. I might have clients text me on the weekend, but I do take longer to get back to them, because I usually leave my ringer off. Between certain hours, or if I’m somewhere with family, I turn off my ringer. I do still check every few hours, but that’s it.

Lastly, I would say these entrepreneurs know the value of having good employees. They reward these good employees. People who feel appreciated and valued will always go above and beyond! This is what you want. People you trust to take care of things for you. Delegate!

What would you add to this list?

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