Time flies when you’re having fun!
My two week vacation in Sri Lanka has come and gone with a blur. I was able to get away from my business entirely (not a single email checked nor tweet sent!) for the entire time – a big success.
Although I had plenty of time to reflect on things, I managed to switch off for the vast majority of the time. Getting away from my business gave me a great deal of perspective, and I have returned with a more concrete idea of where I want to go from here.
If you’re interested to know what I have planned next for my online business, read on!
Automating My Business
Before my vacation, I revealed how I planned to automate my business to an extent that it could continue to operate without me being present to manage it on a day-to-day basis. I somewhat dramatically claimed that this step could change my business and my life.
It may have been a dramatic claim, but I was probably right. Getting away from my business for two weeks not only revealed to me the value of being able to get away every now and then, but also demonstrated that being disconnected from the minutiae of your business enables you to focus more on growth than maintenance.
I’ve been spinning my wheels for so long – earning a pleasing yet generally static figure month on month – that I’d gotten used to it. But getting away from my business has demonstrated to me that I need to get away from the “grunt work” and focus more on strategy. Not only will I find this more rewarding, it will enable me to step away from the business at times and make more money.
I had already done this to an extent by hiring writers for my writing business, but the steps I took in preparation for my trip to Sri Lanka has served as just a preview of what is possible.
My First Hire
So here’s the big reveal for this post: I intend to hire my first employee very soon. That’s right – a real life human being to sit in an office with me and help me run my business.
This is a huge step. I recognize the enormous difference between using contractors and employees. One is a no-strings attached, flexible affair, while the other one ties you down and commits you.
So why am I hiring someone? Simple: I think it’s the best decision, both for me and my business.
Let me explain why. For many months I have been getting progressively more fed up with simply sitting in front of a computer for hours every weekday. It’s simply not what I want to be doing for the rest of my life. I want my working days to be more dynamic and varied.
While staring at a screen for eight hours and working with remote workers might be the most efficient way of doing business, I don’t think it’s the most efficient way for me. On the contrary, I believe that working with people in the same physical environment will be of huge benefit in terms of:
- creating a dynamic working environment,
- ensuring that my only means of communication is not just through a screen, and
- make me feel that I’m not alone in my endeavors.
In other words, I crave human contact. Not just sitting with other people in a coworking space (which I already do), but having legitimate cause to communicate with others in achieving common goals.
I want to build a ‘real’ business. I don’t feel that I currently have that. What I have is a bunch of self-minded contractors working for themselves. I don’t mean that to be taken in a derogatory manner – of course they’re working for themselves, as they should! But it is impossible to create a team spirit when you’re (a) just another client, and (b) thousands of miles away.
What Does This All Mean?
Right now I’m making no firm statements, but stepping away from the daily ‘grind’ of my business will obviously result in significant changes on all fronts.
I’m sure I will continue to work with remote contractors in the long term, but I if my first hire goes well, I will seek to expand my ‘real life’ team.
In terms of Leaving Work Behind, at this point I plan to hire a staff writer who will start posting every fortnight, with my contributions coming every other week. Gina did a cracking job while I was gone – both of her posts were well received – would you like to see more content from her?
And while I don’t intend to disappear overnight, getting away from the ‘ground level’ of work relating to my business would eventually require me to step away from writing for the blog on a regular basis (i.e. I would be free to write for LWB when I actually wanted to, rather than feeling obliged to do so). I feel closely attached to this blog, and the prospect of ‘letting go’ makes me feel uncomfortable, but in reality, I believe it’s what I need to do to generate growth in my business.
I’m not sure what the future holds right now. My plan at this stage is hire someone, then figure out what to do with them 😉 But one thing is for sure: the next few months won’t be boring!
Hi,
Good on you for deciding what you need and doing it. Some of us can work alone and others need people around for company.
Perhaps even hiring full time VAs – eg overseas people, would be an additional move as they are then more connected to you than just contractors.
Freedom to do what you want is a great thing once you have the systems in place.
Dale.
Thanks Dale!
Sounds like you had a great time! And I like your idea of hiring someone to work with in an office setting. Ideally it’s something I would like to do as well, but financially I can’t see myself ever being in a position to do so unfortunately. I’ll be interested to see how you get on.
Laura
The other thing you can look into if you need company is working in a colocation office space. There are lots of these being formed around the world now and they give the chance for you to rent a desk in a shared office and sometimes share a receptionist.
That way you can make friends, get company but not have much expense. Then work with foreign VAs to keep employee costs down.
Dale.
Hi Tom
I exactly thought the same as Dale recommended. It can really be very rewarding to be in an office with other People which aren’t in ‘your business’…
…btw… I like the idea seeing you as an entrepreneur! 😉
Harry
Thanks Harry!
I’m looking to take part in an internship scheme which will keep my costs very low for the first three months, after which hopefully the employee will be able to justify their wage!
Glad you were able to unplug during your vacation and welcome back!
I think it’s so interesting that you’re wanting to have a real employee in an office setting. That’s kind of what I ran away from, but I can see how after a period of time of going it alone that could start to sound appealing again – especially since it’s still YOUR business (major difference).
Is the staff writer position going to be a contract position or “in person”?
I’m not planning on hiring writers as employees anytime soon Beth – they’ll still be remote contractors.
Here, here! Yes having an employee will be good for the delegation of work and interaction. Sitting all day in front of the screen is depleting. I feel most alive and productive when I’m out and about. Something good usually happens: take pics, see people, or an idea gets fleshed out. Ultimately, my body feels better from the walking, the air and the sun.
Sounds good to me Akosua!
Hi, Tom,
so great you had awesome holidays and managed to disconect. I see you getting closer to 4-hours workweek.
Looking forward for more update. I am sure there is lots of interesting to come. At the moment wishing you to find someone who believes in what you believe, and will help you to go further. All the best!
“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go farther, go together.” – African proverb
Hey Diana,
I’ve got no interest in the four hour workweek – where’s the fun in that? 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
So glad you had a good time away and it looks as though it gave you some valuable ‘thinking time’. I guess it must be quite hard to think about taking a step back from the day-to-day running of LWB. But I believe you’re right when you say you need the time to think and act more strategically. You’ll be able to focus on the important and not just the urgent.
I really enjoyed Gina’s posts and I’d love to read more.
Great, thanks Elizabeth!
When you are retired, your whole life is a vacation. By the way, I loved Sri Lanka.
Me too 🙂
Hi Tom,
New reader here—simply wanted to chime in that I thought Gina’s posts were great! I’m even trying out a new productivity approach, thanks to her recommendations in her second post about starting your workday off on the right foot.
Best of luck in your new endeavors with a FT employee on board!
Thanks Adam!
Hi Tom,
Thanks for your post. You have inspired me to start freelance writing, which is life changing for me.
Keep the great content coming.
Matt
You’re welcome Matt – I’ll do my best! 🙂
Good for you!
I have a question, when you hire someone will you have a contract signed and everything?
I have never hired anyone, how do you do it?
What are the steps in having a bunch of employees and an office and all that?
To answer your questions in order:
Looks like a big step on your business. Good luck with your hiring, hope you’ll find the perfect employee. A bit difficult these days but anyway, a new beginning.
Thank you Mihai!
Hey Tom!
This is awesome news! I actually went in the reverse direction of you. I had 2 employees last year and I decided to get rid of them. Not because they were bad at what they do, but because I was not ready to manage people yet. I think in another year or so I may be ready, but it just want not for me.
I love the internship idea! That was one thing that bothered me at first, was both people had families. I dont get very scared trying to provide for my family, but making sure I kept the work in to provide for those families as well was stressful!
Can’t wait to hear how the internship idea goes!
Chris
Thanks for sharing your experiences Chris! In what way were you not ready to manage people?
Hey Tom, welcome back!
I enjoyed Gina’s posts and wouldn’t mind seeing more content from her at all.
Glad you enjoyed your holiday – I am excited to see how it goes with your first hire.
Leandro
Thanks Leandro!
Tom,
Delighted you’re back; It appears the trip was a raving success!
Yes; more posts from Gina will be appreciated; she, too, is well worth the read!
I’ve benefitted from your posts and guidance all these months. Thank you, and now Sergio for steering me through the ‘maze’. I hope to prove worthy of your efforts and produce some quality posts and writing.
Nancy
Thanks for the feedback Nancy 🙂