If You Work All Day, You Have No Time To Make Any Money!

It is Saturday, weekend - here in the UK a long weekend as we have public or bank holiday on Monday - for me always a time to reflect on the week gone by and of the weeks ahead. For many small business owners it’s time to work and catch up with admin or other work, but ask yourself this, “Is this what I wanted from my small business?” Or did you want to be with your family, have some time off - have a life?

This morning I was reminded of a gentleman I met almost thirty years ago while working in the US, he was from Florida and extremely wealthy. He had made all his money in nylon-stockings after the second world war. I was still looking for my first break to make my mark and money, so I asked him how he made it to become so wealthy. His answer was:

Remember always, if you work all day, then you have no time to make any money, you are too busy.

As you can well imagine, here I was, about 20 years old and this guy came out with a statement like this, I thought he was completely mad and insane. Unfortunately I was stupid enough not to ask him what he means - otherwise I would have learned one of the most important business success lessons of my business live very early on.

He was absolutely right of course, you may very well already know that. He was talking about having time to have a vision and dream, think about your small business and not about your products, standing back and getting out of the proverbial forrest, so the trees are not in the way.

So why not use this weekend, stop working and do some dreaming about what could be - nurture your vision for your small business and see where it takes you. Vision is one of the most important ingredient for small business success.

Take the time to make money - stop being so busy. But now you have to excuse me ……. Have a great weekend!

6 Responses to “If You Work All Day, You Have No Time To Make Any Money!”

1. Stuart Jones
   http://www.3ca.co.uk
   
   Said on August 26th, 2007 at 10:36 am

   Thanks Stefan. i was looking for the “meaning of life” and that has really helped.

   I was brought up to believe if you worked hard you would be successful. It may have worked 60 years ago but it certainly doesn’t now. I know.

   This weekend (as well as decorating & gardening ) I shall develop my vision and you’ll be pleased to know that Winweb is part of it.

2. Stefan Töpfer
   http://www.winweb.com
   
   Said on August 26th, 2007 at 12:27 pm

   Hi Stuart,

   Well all I can say is thank you.

   BTW, I was brought up the same way, but had to learn some harsh lessons - hard work is certainly part of the way to success, but only part.

   Have a great weekend.

   ST

3. Pauline Goodal
   http://www.evechocolatier.com
   
   Said on August 29th, 2007 at 7:53 pm

   Stefan,

   I just stumbled onto your blog today and am only disappointed that I hadn’t discovered it earlier! Great insight and very informative. I am a young business owner and have had great difficulty getting off the treadmill of the “day-to-day”. I enjoyed reading your post and have taken it to heart. Any suggestions on how to get out of the cycle when resources are scarce?

   P. E. Goodal

4. Stefan Töpfer
   http://www.winweb.com
   
   Said on August 29th, 2007 at 9:25 pm

   Hi Pauline,

   Funny that you should ask that, firstly you could read my blog a little more and get more information on how to do that - you knew I would say that, didn’t you.

   Secondly, I’m reading a great book - got it today - called “Bootstrapping Your Business” by Greg Gianforte and Marcus Gibson (ISBN 978-1-4196-6955-2). As you know I’m a fan of bootstrapping and cash-flow planning.

   Hope this is of a little help.

   ST

5. Pauline Goodal
   http://www.evechocolatier.com
   
   Said on August 30th, 2007 at 3:34 am

   Thanks Stefan,

   After posting the question, I had thought more about what I was asking and realized that the answer was in the question… That’s running a business, finding a way when there seems to be no way. I will absolutely be reading more within your blog.

   P.E. Goodal

6. Stefan Töpfer
   http://www.winweb.com
   
   Said on August 30th, 2007 at 7:23 am

   Pauline,

   You already sound like a “bootstrapper”, good on you.

   I live by the maxim that every problem can be solved, but even more than that “Every problem is an opportunity”. You just need to find it - don’t worry too much, that will not help. Walk out of your “woods” and look at the trees. Then you will see the ones you could or should cut down.

   If you want to send me some specific questions then you can email me: stefan AT winweb.net.

   ST

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