Since I was a kid, I could always pick out the icon of St. George in any Greek Orthodox church I visited.
He’s my patron saint — and let’s be honest — the image of him slaying a dragon? Not many saints could be on the cover of Lord of the Rings.
He didn’t actually kill a dragon, of course. George was a Roman soldier turned Christian martyr. Ordered to persecute Christians under Diocletian’s rule, he refused. Declared his faith publicly. Was tortured brutally. Executed in 303 AD.
His death inspired conversions. His relics are still honored. He became a legend.
Martyrdom makes sense in faith.
But in business?
It’s suicide.
And yet — most business owners are walking around like they’re St. George of the Spreadsheet — slaying imaginary beasts, bleeding out silently, and suffering in silence while wearing it all like a badge of honor.
They think they’re being noble.
That their sacrifice is what builds legacy.
Sure if the legacy is called BS.
Martyrdom in business doesn’t make you a saint. It makes you a sucker.
You’re still in the building at 9PM, while your team is home with their kids.
You’re jumping into every fire, putting out every flame, while the arsonists smile and cash your cheques.
You’re grinding yourself to the bone, missing dinners, birthdays, and your own life.
And for what?
A business that can’t run without you?
A “legacy” your kids will run away from faster than you ran toward it?
Martyrs in business don’t get relics. They get resentment, regret, and, if they’re lucky, a business that mightsell for scraps.
If you feel like someone should paint an icon of you curled under your desk, answering customer emails at 3AM — then it’s time to stop.
Stop being the fireman. Stop being the hero. Stop being the martyr.
Because real entrepreneurship isn’t self-sacrifice.
It’s building wealth.
It’s creating freedom.
It’s owning something bigger than you.
You’re not building a shrine.
You’re building a machine.
And in the coming days, I’ll show you how to make that shift — from exhausted operator to real business owner.
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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?
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