Lesson 48: Peace
What are some reasons to see a therapist? Anxiety and other mental health issues could support your decision to see a therapist. A therapist could also help you deal with a significant life challenge. Maybe you feel fine, but you would like to better understand yourself and see personal growth. For all three reasons, everyone interested in owning and operating a business should consider seeing a therapist. It will help protect your peace.
Thankfully, my college offered free therapy services, and I started seeing a therapist to take care of myself. I learned in these therapy sessions how one barrier to peace was setting unreasonable expectations. As I continue to have regular check-ins with my therapist, I benefit from the reality check that I am human. There are only 24 hours in a day. 8 of those hours are for sleep. 1 hour is for exercise. Another hour is for journaling. I do not always fit everything in, but I am not my best self unless I take care of my peace.
I asked Alex Dulmage how he takes care of himself. He owns and operates FlagCo in Acworth, GA. He recommends balancing personal needs, family, and work. Imagine these three are the prongs of an outlet. If any prong becomes unplugged, then your own battery drains until you are empty. Without taking care of yourself, you cannot be your best self. Amid the stress of finding a deal, completing due diligence, and managing the business, this balance can fall out of its socket. When you notice something is unplugged, find that balance again.
This week, Steve Divitkos talked to the Booth ETA Group about mental health as an acquisition entrepreneur. He is a successful searcher turned search fund investor, and he founded Mineola Search Partners to invest in those looking to buy a great business. I asked him how do you identify and let go of unreasonable expectations as a CEO? He said, “Have others help set expectations.” When you acquire a company, your new team knows more than you about how the business operates. Take a seat and listen to what they can teach you about how to run this business. This serves two goals: 1) Builds trust with your new team and shows humility, and 2) Reduces your risk of setting too many goals too quickly, creating unreasonable expectations. Steve’s talk gave me some good tips on how to protect my peace while owning and operating a business.
My mission is to increase representation for Black leaders at the executive, investor, and board level. Executives, investors, and board members who join this mission will need to remain mindful of how they take care of themselves. We must never lose sight of how we deserve peace. Seeing a therapist, getting sleep, or consistent exercise are each ways to stay recharged and continue the rewarding yet challenging work of stewarding a business.
This is Lesson 48: Peace. Next week is Lesson 49: Preparation.
