photo credit:OliverN5 via flickr
I love the world of the entrepreneur…I also love roller coasters.
This is my second go ’round as an entrepreneur. To tell you the truth,all of my jobs have had an entrepreneurial aspect to them. That’s what drew me to them.
Being an entrepreneur can be as thrilling as riding a roller coaster. There is the anticipation of what’s around the corner,days the fly by and even moments of terror when you don’t think you’ll make it,but then you pull through in the end.
A Roller Coaster Ride Ends In About 3 Minutes
Entrepreneurs can become addicted to the thrill. When you are addicted to the entrepreneurial rush,the lull between hills can seem boring. So you search for the next hill and create scenarios to keep the adrenaline pumping. I hate to break it to you,but you can’t do this forever.
I learned the hard way that staying in adrenaline mode 24/7 doesn’t energize. It does the opposite. It drains you.
To Avoid Burning Out,Pace Yourself
Even roller coasters don’t run 24/7. Cars are taken down for maintenance,the park closes,and even the entire ride is shut down from time to time.
You need to do the same. Downtime or maintenance time for you could be doing the books,upgrading your computer system,cleaning out your contact list or organizing the office. You might even consider vacation or a personal day off.
Breaking the addiction can be hard,but when you do you’ll find your business will grow healthier and stronger…and so will you.
There Will Still Be Roller Coaster Moments
Don’t worry there will still be the roller coaster moments such as designing a new product,gaining a new client/customer,or growing. When you take some downtime,you’re much more prepared for the up’s and down’s to come.
Jen Vondenbrink is a business life coach who helps small businesses put the systems in place to grow while still finding time to enjoy life. She 
