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Why Work Life Balance Is A Serious Issue For Small Business

Written by: Susan Regier

Article Overview: While effective marketing is the main key to business growth, a proper work-life balance is the key to good health and long term prosperity and content.

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Why Work Life Balance Is A Serious Issue For Small Business

While effective marketing is the main key to business growth, a proper work-life balance is the key to good health and long term prosperity and content.

In his book “So You Want To Start a Business?”, Alan Williams wrote that the reason for about 55% of Australian small businesses failing is due to their owner's ill health!

A healthy work and life balance is vital to your physical and mental well being.

Perhaps the following story I received recently will make the point more eloquently…

The Tale Of The Fisherman

A tourist boat docked in a tiny fishing village. A vacationing business executive complimented one of the fishermen on -the-quality of his fish, and asked how long it took him to catch them. “Not very long,” answered the fisherman.

“But then, why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” asked the executive.

The fisherman explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The executive asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs... I have a full life.”

The executive interrupted: “Hang on here, I have an MBA and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch.”

“OK, what would I do with the money?” asked the fisherman.

“With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat”, enthused the executive. With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one, and a third and so on, until you have a whole fleet of trawlers...

“And then, instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can negotiate directly with the processing plants … maybe even open your own plant. Then you can leave this little village and move to the big city! From there, you can direct your huge new enterprise.”

“How long would that take?” asked the fisherman.

“20, perhaps 25 years,” replied the executive.

“And after that?”

“Afterwards? That’s when it gets really interesting,” answered the executive, laughing. “When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!”

“Millions? Really? And after that?”

“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta, and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends!”

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Home > Marketing > Susan Regier > Why Work Life Balance Is A Serious Issue For Small Business
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About the Author: Susan Regier
RSS for Susan's articles - Visit Susan's website

Susan Regier has helped hundreds of businesses find their authentic voice and get the word out. As the owner/head writer of Vantage One Writing (www.vantageonewriting.com )Susan works directly with entrepreneurs to find their core essence and develop a compelling marketing message for various mediums, including brochures, Web site content, media releases, articles, and professional profiles/bios. In 2009, she launched www.SusanRegier.com to sell how-to informational products based on her successful hands-on workshops. These products are invaluable for entrepreneurs starting their business or for those who would simply prefer to do the work themselves. They are essential for freelance writers, virtual assistants, coaches and marketers who are in the business to help others achieve exponential results. Susan is committed to connecting people to one another and to valuable business resources. Networking has been a way of life for Susan, President of Networking Today Franchise Inc.(www.networkingtoday.com ) and the publisher/editor of Networking Today London, Ontario (established 1998); Canada’s fastest growing ezine.

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