What Works: Are you being a bad boss to yourself?

This morning, I was made aware of one issue that may affect 10 out of 10 entrepreneurs. It’s caused by all the good stuff entrepreneurs are: visionary, risk-takers, and people who believe in what they do and the quality of it. I am calling it Bad Boss Syndrome.

And it’s not bad boss in the cubicle farm, endless meetings, I want to leave this company sense of the word. I’m talking about the one bad boss you can’t escape by saying take this job and shove it. It’s you.

Do you treat yourself well in your business? Answer the following questions as honestly as you allow yourself to.
Do you work long hours?
Do you skip meals while working or eat at your desk?
Do you take breaks?
Do you allow yourself time off?
Do you criticize your work performance?
Do you apply constant pressure to yourself solely on the basis of your own expectations?
Do you verbally abuse yourself when you don’t live up to your own expectations?
Do you provide yourself with enough time to do what you need to do?

I think by now you get the idea. Imagine if you had boss in the 9 to 5 world who forced you to work long hours, didn’t give you enough time to complete the projects you were given, made you skip meals and breaks, criticized you, applied constant pressure, and verbally abused you. What would you do? You’d start looking for a new job or quit. Right?

So why is it, as business owners and entrepreneurs, as leaders of organizations or people, do we put ourselves through this? Why don’t we say enough is enough? Why don’t we tell the bad boss within to take that attitude and shove it?

Maybe it’s because we are afraid. Maybe it’s because we feel alone. Maybe we don’t have a support system or a team. Maybe we haven’t infused our vision and our values through or company. Maybe we can’t separate ourselves from our companies. In that case, what we have done is created a job for ourselves, not a business.

If you’ve been a bad boss to yourself, the first step is to realize it. Accept you’ve been rough on yourself and then look for solutions. If you need help finding those solutions, I’m right in here in Carson City.

LEARN AND GROW





Ongoing: Motivation Monday with Diane Dye Hansen at Adams Hub for Innovation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Email grow@adamshub.com to schedule an appointment).

March 21, 2017: How to Use LinkedIn to Build Your Business – Tuesday Lunchbox Training Noon – 1:00 pm at Adams Hub for Innovation.

March 27, 2017: What Works for Accountability, Carson Valley Chicks Connect, Bella Fiore Wine 11:30 am

April 8, 2017: Diane (Big) and Isabell (Little) speak at the Big Chefs, Big Gala for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada at the Grand Sierra Resort. https://bbbsnn.ejoinme.org/Gala2017

April 12, 2017: Diane mentors at Entrepreneurs Assembly (Occurs the 2nd Wednesday of each month in The Studio at Adams Hub for Innovation).

May 4, 2017: Diane speaks at the American Business Women’s Association, Reno-Tahoe Express Network, Atlantis Casino, Non-members: $25 includes lunch, Email diane@whatworkscoaching.com for an invitation and details.
Schedule your individual or group coaching session, including a free 30-minute consultation at www.whatworkscoaching.com.

June 20, 2017: What Works for Forward Momentum, Professional Saleswomen Network (PSN), Living the Good Life, 11:30 a.m.

Coming Summer 2017: 10 Steps to Business Success Workshop – 6 weeks or drop in – Sign up for the What Works for Inspiration newsletter to receive details when available. http://eepurl.com/G8Y69

What Works Coaching

Diane Dye Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, an individual and organizational coaching and consulting firm based in Carson City. She has 20 years of experience working with top corporations, growing businesses, motivated entrepreneurs, and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing from Cal State San Bernardino. She is also a candidate for a Master’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, in Carson Now.