Be kind to yourself and others, take on challenges, and keep learning.
As a manager of a bowling center, Dennis Bartel worked more than eight hours a day. He was confined to working the typical nine to five job. That meant going to the office, and caught behind a desk in the same building, day after day.
Dennis changed careers and became a freelance graphic designer, after obtaining his bachelor of design. It allowed him to set my own hours outside 9 to 5. Even though he was working more than a 40 hour work week, Dennis was happier, more productive, and more creative. “I was able to work at any time in the day and work from anywhere. I took many long one-day train trips traveling back and forth to different cities, working and taking in the scenery. Creativity can hit me at night sometimes and not when I tell it to start or end. I also found that I could work a few hours in the morning, then later in the afternoon. I could also work long hours for a few days then shorter hours or even take a few days off. Not confined to Monday to Friday either”.
Today Dennis is the CEO of Biz Text which specializes in making contacting a business quick and easy. “At Biz Text we allow customers different ways to contact companies by text message. They can avoid being on hold, leaving a long voice message, or not hearing or understanding the person on the other end of the call. Each business has a Biz Text Number, and through a console or pc, can receive and reply. I enjoy producing testing, adding features, and ensuring we make it quick and easy for someone to contact a business”.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The escape from the corporate world has its advantages and disadvantages. The benefits are being able to set your hours, make your own decisions, and take risks a corporation may not want to take. The disadvantages are being responsible for your actions, having to handle everything yourself, and not being able to clock out (stop at 5 pm). Originally Dennis didn’t always take breaks as often as he should. But now he goes to the gym at least 3-4 times per week, or for walks when the weather is good. “I have had to learn to take care of my mental health by exercising and shutting work down. I found that I want to work more and do more, which can consume my day and time. For that, I am a member of Toastmasters. I make sure to attend meetings and allow myself to separate from work”.
Although Dennis listed them as disadvantages of escaping the corporate world, at the same time they make his life more fulfilling, exciting and allow him to grow by leaps and bounds.
A Little Light Reading
“I found the book, Calm the F**k Down: How to Control What You Can and Accept What You Can’t So You Can Stop Freaking Out and Get On With Your Life by Sarah Knight, to be great resources. Working for myself means more worries, more work, and more that can go wrong. This book gave me tools for focusing on what I should worry about and be more productive and efficient. I ask myself, do I have control over this? If the answer is no, then I don’t worry about, or a least try not to”.
Like many entrepreneurs, Dennis Bartel values the flexibility of time the most. He doesn’t have a long commute and can work at any time of the day. He decides how he uses his time. “If I want to relax or reenergize I can, without feeling constraint or tie to my “work hours”.
Advice for Others
Dennis Bartel is very conscious of his time. He cautions others to be careful with their time and use it wisely. It is your most valuable asset. He recommends entrepreneurs build relationships that give then a return on the time they have invested in them and that don’t take away from your vision. Do an audit every day or week. See if you are spending your time wisely, and change those relationships quickly with little or no return.
These may be with your clients, employees, or vendors. “Some clients will get all try to get what they can from you, drain your energy, time, and money. Don’t be afraid to fire them. They will be toxic to your overall success. Don’t feel you have to work for everyone and take everything just because you need money and need the work. That will not only devalue you, but take away from your growth. It will also discourage you, drain you, but most importantly take away from your time!”
Primary URL: www.biztextsolutions.com
