Executive Business Coach Chuck Boyce’s Blog: Spending Life in Your Own Way“There is only one success, to be able to spend your life in your own way.” –Christopher Morley It was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, nearly 20 years ago. I was working as a project manager for a small technical writing and publishing firm. I had a note on my desk informing me that the owner of the firm wanted to see me and to review my project files. So I spent the morning putting things in order to make sure that I could give an accurate and thorough update on my projects. I was still wet behind the ears and eager to make a good impression. I had developed a knack for taking all of the projects that got sold, with no hope of being profitable and turning them out on-time and under budget. I had been with the firm for just under a year, and I knew a performance review was not too far off in the future. The engineer in me carefully tracked the numbers, and I could show very specifically how much money my losers had made for the firm. I was destined to be a hero. Or so I thought.. I walked into the meeting and give a very detailed account of all of my projects, how much they were billing, and how I had worked the numbers and our contractors to deliver them at break even or better. After 40 minutes of my report, the owner thanked me for the information and my hard work. Then she dropped the bomb. My services at the firm would no longer be necessary and I was to gather up my personal effects and leave the office immediately. My manager greeted me at my desk with an empty box, and watched as I collected up my stuff and left the building. The success of bringing turning these projects around didn’t belong to me, and it was made clear on that Wednesday afternoon. I was compensated for the time I spent working on these projects, but there was no reward for the success. This taught me an important lesson, one that unfortunately would fade and have to be reminded of again later in my career. If you define success as Christopher Morley stated. Then it can only truly be achieved when you have taken control of your financial security which in turn grants you the ability to live your life on your own terms. In these uncertain economic times, the truest way to find success is through entrepreneurship for those that are so inclined. Independent Executive Chuck Boyce is an expert small business coach who can help you get the most out of your business. For more information on how you achieve your goals, go to www.breakingfreeblog.com Leave a Reply |
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