Recently I was in a corporate setting for a few hours a day for a few days in a row consulting by conducting leadership training for a group of executives and managers. There were various moments where I passed people in the hallways, or were near people in the elevators or the coffee area or rest rooms. A common greeting for a number of people at the workplace I heard was
“How Are Things With You?”
“Okay, Working Hard, You?”
“Yes, more like hardly working” or
“You know Same Old, Same Old”
Now you recognize as I did these are not the C-Suite folks having these conversations. Corporate Level Executives have their own methods of greeting each other. A topic for another day.
Isn’t it great as an entrepreneur, a small business owner or a solo-preneur we are not even remotely thinking this way? Right?
Here is my question for you – do you feel you are working too hard? Do you actually view how you work as hard? Or are you working effectively and efficiently? Do you identify the areas which you should not be spending your time and effort on and seeking to find the right person to perform these tasks and activities for you? Are you creating systems to leverage your repeatable activities?
If you were in a corporate position before isn’t it great to never think about the clock moving or hardly working due to a slow down? You may have even felt you were just putting in your time to collect your check and your health insurance coverage. Is this what you were meant to do with your life? What is your purpose and meaningful contribution to society?
We as entrepreneurs, small business owners, solo-preneurs owe it to ourselves and our business to take action, to grow, to continue to learn, to work with mentors, coaches and people who will challenge us to excel. Keep us fresh. Participate in Mastermind Groups to be with peers and hear from them how they are working and conducting their business and solving tough issues that arise.
If you are in a rut and feeling the blues, find someone who works in a corporate office and have them give you a tour. This may be all it takes to help you snap out it!
Are you in a corporate role now and you identify with what is being said here? There is an entire universe you may want to become a part of now and you may want to get in touch with me.
September 15, 2010 by
Mitch you made me laugh with your suggestion to get a tour of a corporate office to snap you out of the blues!
I used to be a truck driver, and all I need is to see a truck and I’m reminded of the joy of being an entrepreneur!
Mitch,
This is so true. I count my blessing every day — and am proud to say I broke the mold and started living on my own terms as my business takes on a life of its own.
I believe I am completely unemployable now and I’m perfectly fine with that because I far prefer my own terms. AND I’m looking forward to seeing you next week.
Write on!~
Lisa
Mitch,
Great comparison of corporate vs. entreprenuer attitudes. Even on my worst day as a business owner–i’d NEVER trade it for one hour working for another. Great article. Thanks.
Kiyla Fenell
Kiyla,
What exactly would happen if a group of us went into a corporate setting to conduct a turnaround.
Now that, that is a reality show waiting to happen! It was so cool to spend time with you and Dr. Bob
in the desert. Speak with you soon, Mitch
Mitch,
I loved the elevator exchange. I haven’t thought of those conversations for a long time, but you’re right, they are the norm. So glad we’re entrepreneurs choosing what we do.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Linda
Linda,
You know you just can’t make this stuff up! It was really special to get to know you better in Arizona.
I hope you feel more comfortable reaching out to me in the future, Mitch
Ahhhhh, the good ole ‘working hard to out-do someone else mentality’….I remember that from many moons past when I was in the corporate world which I why I didn’t last. I can’t imagine ever going back to that (even when I want to pack it in at times to become the Walmart greeter….:) Thanks for another thought-provoking post!
Jennifer,
Now that would be a camera ready moment! I love to think about stories like this to remind me of how lucky we really are, all of us. It was good to sit with you and chat even though among a group. Hope to spend a bit more time one on one with you soon, Mitch
I tried working for someone else once. Waaay back when.
After a couple of weeks I tried to tell the boss how the office could be run more effectively and efficiently…..hmmm, Never could understand why it was met with the very opposite of enthusiasm!
I’ve also never liked being told what to do, just ask my parents. From a very young age I could only be bossed by one person, me. Hooray for entrepreneurial DNA!
Lynn
Lynn,
Hah, Now you made me laugh. I can just picture you doing just that with your boss.
Glad to have visited with you in Scottsdale, Mitch
Your post gives me a smile. I’ve BEEN in those corporate hallways and God willing, never again! I thank my stars that I do what I do, and how I do it. Thanks, Mitch, for the reminder.
Sue Painter
Glad to bring you a smile Sue. Anyone who needed a reminder should have seen how happy you were showing us your new photos! OMG, they are so great. In corporate, imagine the ID badge photo and, next in line!
Great to be with you in the desert, Mitch
Yes — it works for being around most people (not just corporate) who are not entrepreneurs! 🙂 Most of my friends and family hate their jobs. That’s why I feel so blessed to live, work and be ME, 24/7. Well, maybe 8/5 is more like it! 🙂
Carmen,
I doubt you have ever worked from 8/5! Well maybe in the military. I will give you that one.
We are really blessed aren’t we. Your presence is missed, we need to talk once in awhile, Mitch
Excellent advice Mitch. I especially like the suggestion of finding someone who works in a corporate office and have them give you a tour. Yep that would snap me right out of the entrepreneur blues.
Debbie,
I was actually thinking of speaking with Disney about a new style of amusement park……………..
Happy you made it to Arizona, Mitch
Mitch,
Great article. If most of these corporate guys got a taste of entrepreneurship–they’d never look back! Life is good–especially living it on my terms.
Dr. Robert Fenell
Dr. Bob,
So true my friend. The key word is ‘if’. It is so easy for some to just stay on the treadmill of what they believe to be the safe way to live. Great to meet with you a few days ago and very happy for you, Mitch
Mitch –
This article made me laugh out loud! Brought back a ton of memories from my decade in the corporate world. I never understood why I felt such angst being confined in that environment. Then I discovered entrepreneurship and have never looked back. I value freedom WAY too much to be told what to do, when. Just not my thing …
Thanks for the reminder of how good we have it, even on the tough days.
See you soon!
Jenny
Jenny,
So cool, happy to make you lol! It is just the corporate refugees who have this ability to hear or read about this for two seconds and we are so thankful and grateful not to be in that environment any longer. Great to see you and you look great btw, Mitch
Great article Mitch I love your light hearted approach – soooo needed in the corporate world.
You are spot on that we owe it to ourselves and our business to take action, to grow, to continue to learn, to work with mentors, coaches and people who will challenge us to excel, participate in Mastermind Groups to be with peers and hear from them how they are working and conducting their business and solving tough issues that arise.
As a former corporate refuge I can so relate.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights.
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
The Living Leader’s Advocate
Heidi,
Thank you for seeing my light hearted approach. I loved seeing you last week! Maybe one day you will organize an event where I will be speaking for you in Australia. I really need to get back there it is so wonderful. All The Best, Mitch