Took my daughters to their swim lesson today.
And proceeded to feel like I got my butt kicked.
During the whole lesson the oldest refused to do anything and then started crying.
The younger one who was enjoying the lesson then took the cue from her sibling and refused to participate any further and start crying too.
I turned to my wife… “Now I know how Ben Johhnson felt taking the Bears to Detroit and watching a disaster unfold before his eyes.”
So my daughters’ meltdown and the Bears… what does any of that have to do with what I’ve been talking about this week…?
Everything.
Because here’s what I realised as I sat on that pool bench watching it all fall apart — I wasn’t angry.
I wasn’t yelling.
I wasn’t feeling the pressure to “fix” it all.
A year ago, I would’ve been furious.
Not because of them.
But because my tank was empty.
I would’ve brought my business stress into the swim class, and made things much worse by telling them off about the money we had wasted to just watch them cry.
Just like Scott from yesterday’s story — the business would’ve followed me into the car, the pool, and the bedroom.
But not today.
Because I’ve been building something different.
A business that doesn’t need me to be a firefighter 24/7.
One that runs, grows, and gives back without demanding my soul in return.
That’s what we’re talking about this week.
Not just profits.
Not just scale.
But freedom in both life and from burnout.
The freedom to show up to your kids’ swimming lesson and be there — even if it goes off the rails.
Because when your business finally gives you space, your life starts to breathe again.
The real question is this:
If everything went sideways tomorrow — a meltdown, a crisis, chaos — would you have the clarity to stay calm… or would your business explode through you like a landmine?
If it’s the latter, you already know something needs to change.
And it isn’t the crying children with goofy swimwear.
——————-
P.S. I’m not the “systems guy,” “process guy,” or “finance guy.”
I’m the “make your business valuable” guy—so you can start living your best life now and exit on your own terms later.
Want to run your business, not let it run you?
Sign up here to join my mailing list for real actionable advice on building a business that can thrive without you.