Recently someone told me that they thought a person had to have a bubbly, bouncy, high energy level in order to be an entrepreneur or to run their own business. I thought over all the people I know who work from home or have started a business and realized that was a complete myth! I know all sorts of different folks with very different energy levels—from those at the higher end of things (like me) to some very steady, sedate and mellow people who you’d never guess are actually operating their own businesses. It got me to thinking over just what role “energy level” plays in our being able to run our businesses and our families…
Of course, I’m willing to bet we are all trying to optimize our energy levels to get the most out of our own personalities and meet the challenges of every day. But, I can see the benefits of being a steady, solid person who can ration your time and energy as well as being a go, go, go! kind of person who doesn’t seem to wear down. Not to mention, I can certainly see how a bit of moderation and balance could also be desirable in terms of energy level and operating a home business.
I imagine that the key is to match energy level with the project or business. A more physically energetic person will likely have a better time running a day care or housecleaning business than someone who is more mellow and sedate. While a person needs to be able to sit at a computer for hours on end if that’s what the job or business requires. Throw in all the other obligations of family—kids, home, outside work, volunteer projects, etc., and you can see how a lifestyle and energy level match can be important.
I’m interested in hearing back from all of you—did you choose your business based on your energy level or have you had to adjust to meet the demands of your life? Are you naturally bubbly and bouncy, or more stable and mellow? Do you have any suggestions for how to keep one’s energy level up to meet the challenges of running our own businesses? Tell me what you know about energy!
Related Articles: Are You Ready for a Break and Listening to Your Inner Voice and Trusting Your Instincts