Small business owners know that more often times than not, your business becomes a major part of your life. You’re always working on and thinking about your business – whether you want to be or not.
Though there are many positives to owning your own business, the “positives” don’t always tend to work out in your favor.
An example is planning a vacation. Most people would think that because you work for yourself, you can take off as much time as you want whenever you want. Unfortunately, that is very rarely the reality.
If an emergency comes up or if business just so happens to be very busy, small business owners know they may have to cancel their vacation plans to meet the needs of the business.
If you want your small business to be successful, you have to work when the business is there.
Time Off is Minimal
Vacation time isn’t the only family event that may be impacted by your small business.
It’s difficult to take time off, meaning it’s difficult to make family functions such as kid’s school events or sporting games. You may have to cancel date night with your spouse, miss the annual friend’s Thanksgiving lunch or show up late to your son’s soccer game.
As the following article shows, what about bigger family stresses, such as the death of a family member or reuniting with the baby you put up for adoption?
A death of a family member, especially if it was an immediate family member, may cause your business to go into a tailspin. You’ll possibly need months of time off to allow yourself to grieve and be there for support to the remaining family members.
Hopefully, you have a good business support system in place that will allow for your much-needed time off.
Making Up for Lost Time
If you are reuniting with the baby you put up for adoption, you should plan on taking some time off to get reacquainted and make up for lost time. It’s also best to fully understand the motives as to why both you and the child you put up for adoption want to reunite.
Make sure that the child isn’t just looking to get a piece of your business pie, especially if you have seen recent success and growth.
While most likely it will not be the case that the child just wants a part of your business, it’s always best to cover all of your bases.
Owning a small business and working for you is the American dream, but those that are in that situation know just how much work it actually is.
You have to sacrifice time with precious loved ones, you miss family functions and vacations and you may end up working weekends and holidays.
Many things affect your business, too, such as the birth of a baby, the death of a family member or reuniting with a child you put up for adoption.
If you’re going to run a small business, be as prepared as possible and know in advance the sacrifices that you are going to need to make.
About the Author: Sarah Brooks is a freelance writer living in Charlotte, NC. She writes on a variety of topics including small businesses, social media and personal finance.
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