Breaking the “Rules”
Last week I did something that goes against all the business advice ever given.
Six months ago I re-structured my business, created specific service offerings and declared to the world my new super-specialized status. Since then, I’ve played within the “rules”, only accepting clients and projects that fit my definition and referring others to folks that could help.
And now I’ve broken my “rule”.
I decided to work with a client on projects that don’t fit my definition. It’s a long story, and the decision wasn’t made lightly. But in working through it, I learned some important things about myself and my business.
- It’s my business: As a service professional, I need to run my business the way that works for me. I don’t have shareholders that I’m responsible to. I don’t have employees that I’m responsible for. It’s just me. I’m responsible to me. I am the boss. I can make these important decisions. And I need to do what feels right for me.
- Rules are made to be broken: Rules are there for a reason. To help guide and shape. To protect us. To keep us safe. Yet, some rules need to be flexible. There are always extenuating circumstances. And when I’m the one who wrote the rule to begin with, surely I can break it. Or at least bend it a little.
- Change is a good thing: I’m not throwing away six months of business building. Hey, things are going too good to do that. But variety is the spice of life, so they say, and mixing it up a little never hurt anyone. As long as I can ensure that my standard of excellence is able to be met across the board, we’re good.
So now that the decision has been made, how do I feel? Relieved, happy, and… free. Free? Yes, free. Because I’ve learned that the rules I created are not set in concrete. I am a flexible person and so thus should be my rules. Will I throw them to the wind and do whatever? Of course not. They are a solid guide for the growth of my business. But if you can’t do something you want to do, just for fun or just because, then what’s the point?
I am experiencing freedom in my business this month. And excited to see what the future holds.
Well, I for one am thrilled you decided to break the rules and do what you felt is best for you in your business. (For more than 1 reason!!) If I’ve learned anything about running my own business it’s that the only rules that truly apply are your own and those of your best moral compass. As long as you’re doing good work, helping people, and enjoying what you do, then by all means — go for it! You’ll find a way to make it all fit and work within those simple contexts.
I myself am in the same place. There have been some avenues I’ve wanted to explore and I finally decided what the heck!? Why not?? It’s what I’m good at, it’s what I like to do, I’ll be helping people, and too bad if someone else doesn’t approve. It’s why I’m “rebranding” my business under my own name. After all, it’s all me no matter what it has to do with and I’m ok with that.
Being free to do what we want and who we want to do it for is why we have our own businesses!! So yay you