Business Addiction

Adventurelife · 31-05-09, 22:13

I have always had an addictive nature. For 18 years I was addicted to physical training doing around 6 hours a day. When I went into the corporate world I became addicted and worked flat out 6 days a week early rise to late at night. Resulted in senior positions and large bucks but also crap lifestyle.

Avoided drugs all my life due to my nature, I though they might prove to be a very wrong road to go down, and although I like a beer I do not go out on a regular basis as I can drink a stupid amount.

Last 6 years have been a great balance of good business with great life style and not getting to addicted to anything.

I now find myself getting a bit addicted again to business, I have purchased a new one and started another new one this year so far and have 2 more lined up to take on.

Trying to figure out why? The money I am investing would have paid of the mortgage

or have let me take a lot of time off.

I have never been that focused on making £ it just seems to be a by product, although one that is required and as such is measured in detail

If I had been focsed on £ I would have bought and started businesses in a different industry from what I am in.

So there it is I am stating that at present I am addicted to business, starting them, buying them, building them. I wonder how long this addiction will last.

Anyone else feel this way about their business?

emmatoye · 09-06-09, 18:47

Obviously your 'addiction' has brought you much deserved success, and I think that being as committed as you are is an admirable quality.

I myself am just starting up in my own book-keeping business, and I am committing as much time as possible to it, however I am also a Contracts Manager full time for an Industrial Cleaning company and could sometimes see myself working 7 days a week, its my friends company and have been working alongside her for the last two years trying to expand the customer base and now that we have finally secured contracts with 6 of the UK's major house builders and gained some other public sector contracts, I can now free up some time to concentrate on my own business. As well as this I have not long completed an Accounting course with the Open University to back up my on-the-job experience and have now started another course with the Open University in Business Management. So my addiction seems to be kept busy at all times! If there were more hours in the day I am sure I would try and fit something else in.

abs · 10-06-09, 15:29

Well done Emma and join the club. I think our "addiction" is a nice one!

I too have been very busy (hence the reason for not many posts in the last 9months) and just today have finished at College, coming out with HND Administration and IT, HNC Accounting, PDA Business and PDA Advanced Medical Administration, all achieved since September last year - what on earth am I going to do with my time?

I think it's good to keep learning as much as possible.

Theresia

Adventurelife · 11-06-09, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmatoye

Obviously your 'addiction' has brought you much deserved success, and I think that being as committed as you are is an admirable quality.

I myself am just starting up in my own book-keeping business, and I am committing as much time as possible to it, however I am also a Contracts Manager full time for an Industrial Cleaning company and could sometimes see myself working 7 days a week, its my friends company and have been working alongside her for the last two years trying to expand the customer base and now that we have finally secured contracts with 6 of the UK's major house builders and gained some other public sector contracts, I can now free up some time to concentrate on my own business. As well as this I have not long completed an Accounting course with the Open University to back up my on-the-job experience and have now started another course with the Open University in Business Management. So my addiction seems to be kept busy at all times! If there were more hours in the day I am sure I would try and fit something else in.

You should do well if you can sell your bookkeeping service. The amount of small businesses who need a book keeper and do not use one is scary!!

Adventurelife · 11-06-09, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by abs

Well done Emma and join the club. I think our "addiction" is a nice one!

I too have been very busy (hence the reason for not many posts in the last 9months) and just today have finished at College, coming out with HND Administration and IT, HNC Accounting, PDA Business and PDA Advanced Medical Administration, all achieved since September last year - what on earth am I going to do with my time?

I think it's good to keep learning as much as possible.

Theresia

What not breeding the GWP's anymore? Lacey is still going strong but Lana has added yet another German breed to the pack. This time a minature wirehaired dachs!!

Well done on all of above

abs · 12-06-09, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adventurelife

What not breeding the GWP's anymore? Lacey is still going strong but Lana has added yet another German breed to the pack. This time a minature wirehaired dachs!!

Well done on all of above

No, not breeding dogs at all now, we still have four GWPs including Lacey's mother and sister, a Labrador and a Golden Retriever. I must admit, I have always had a hankering after a wirehaired dachshund but the bigger type.

I'm so pleased that your business is doing well and please give Lana my regards - we may meet up again sometime.

Theresia

johnthesearcher · 12-06-09, 22:40

Business Addiction.........long may it last!

Hi Peter,

You have put into words what most of us struggle with and that is trying to define the line between 100% committment to our business, particularly during the 'incubation' phase of a new venture or project - and letting it take over our lives completely.

I think the comments from the girls above got it spot on ....... that a controlled addiction is indeed an admirable quality and a contributing factor to your success.

Shetlanders have a philosophy.....which is 'work a bit......rest a bit (but not too long) before you work a bit more.'

I refer back to a quote from Earl Nightingale which states that 'some people believe they are sucessful if they make a lot of money ......whilst the truth is that you can only make a lot of money after you are successful'

I believe it is almost impossible to try and define the line and determine the point at which committment becomes addiction as the common denominator in both categories would be 'YOU'

I had a similar conversation with a business colleague earlier this year who was experiencing a problem with 'balance' in his approach to his new venture.

His concern was that he needed to learn so much more than he thought and couldn't afford to outsource the bits he was having trouble with so I suggested he take on a part time study course.

His response was funny in that he felt he would need at least a couple of years to learn all he required and he wasn't getting any younger.

I closed with a well used adage and stated that ......... yes! it was true that it would take a couple of years but how old would he be in a couple of years if he decided not to take the course........

John

Adventurelife · 17-06-09, 16:32

John

I have told you before about posting good advice and comon sense on the forum

You will get yourself a reputation

Peter

johnthesearcher · 17-06-09, 17:53

Hi Peter

Thank you..... but despite your good advice, I still haven't got a 'handle' on it yet!

I'm going to try hypnotism next and if that doesn't work, then I guess I'll just have to try and live with the rep and hope it doesn't damage my 'street cred' too much.

John

barryhynd · 18-06-09, 20:51

I guess part of what you're doing Peter is building income streams and I think that's a very sensible move so that theres no dependence as such on any one business.

I'm probably at the other end of the spectrum in terms of just starting out but if I can achieve even half of what you have then i'll be more than happy.

It's great to have a few people on the forums to aspire to and i'm sure you've learned many business lessons and have many business stories you could recollect.

I think if the balance is good then I would keep going but making sure you keep good control over it and that you also have good people around you is very important.

John as always great advice too

Theresia - That's a mightly lot of work to get through in just one year and I really hope that this opens up many opportunities for you.