Stop 'doing it all' so you can 'have it all'!

Is doing your Indie thang making you a slave to fashion and your peer group? Step back and take a bigger picture look. Great companies will embrace your independent spirit and give you your head to succeed!

Written Jul 17, 2011, read 1676 times since then.

So far so good. 30 days inside the mothership and I am feeling appropriately challenged and excited about my professional potential. Admittedly, all the new systems and processes are intense. My learning curve and morale curve are keeping pace with my own need to know and excell.

What's not to like about 'doing less'? Here I sit on a Sunday, realizing my clients are just fine about my keeping banker's hours. And while I still make house calls for disabled or isolated clients, my former willingness to be on call 24/7 has given way to a new self respect. What? I can have a life and an identity outside my role as the ultimate mortgage warrior? You might even see me out socially more. Wooooah. This will take some getting used to.

For one thing (and here I go spilling the beans again): my local community - while talking the "Buy Local" theme to the hilt - is still quite conservative about their money and their trust. Banks have that steel vault thing. Never mind that finding a person on the inside to be on your side was not always easy. I am that person now. And I can see from the early reactions of my co-referral partners that being on the inside of a trusted institution brings greater confidence for them to refer me to their clients.

If, like me, you have been over identifying with your Indie thang then I am here to tell you that there are other ways to be who you are without killing yourself. What a shock: my new employer recognized I bring to the table a few fresh ideas along with my discipline to be a good mortgage professional. Suddenly the struggle to wear so many hats has let me keep one...the right one on my head. And my mind is already starting to settle into this new idea that I am a sales person with a lot to offer my clients. Coming from my self made business role, I understand business people and their concerns. Having that perspective is invaluable in assessing what I may now offer them.

And offer I can! Already I see the enormous potential of programs and options for my clients that as a broker/banker I was only partially privy to. Sure, I could duke it out over interest rates with the best and shop around for my clients between banks to compete effectively. However, a certain reality check was heightened for independent mortgage professionals by recent legislation, causing layers of new oversight, and increasing limitations on what I could competitively provide my clients. Now, not only do I have the advantage of the broadest range of products and pricing - but an amazing array of professional people and resources that are literally at my fingertips. The teamwork spirit is inspiring. Not to mention some actual people in my office to kick things around with.

Lest this seem like an bald-faced advertisement for 'going to work for the man' - the fact is - as an independent I worked twice as many hours for the visibility that I now enjoy by walking in the doors with a respected national brand on my card. There are no more questions about my business because my company has been in business nearly 160 years and by all accounts doing a great job of keeping their promises. Since keeping my promises is what I have always stood for - finding such an alignment is ideal for me.

So, if doing it all is weighing you down, please stop and take a look around with fresh eyes. Perhaps finding a team environment that recognizes and champions your fine Indie self is just the ticket for achieving your highest professional goals! I’d love to hear from you if you take that step. All the best!

Learn more about the author, Susan Templeton.

Posted by Cindi Pree, Bellingham, Washington | Jul 18, 2011

Thanks, Susan, for writing so clearly to reflect my own experiences as well as yours!

As you and I have discussed, 'doing it all' is something most entrepreneurs struggle with. There are other solutions, of course, than 'working for the man.'

However, I applaud you for articulating so clearly that with the right mindset it is possible to find yourself in a 'real job' where you can do the work you love without the other tasks you don't. Even more importantly, as we have both discovered, it is also quite possible to find yourself in a company where your independence and entrepreneurial spirit are applauded.
Posted by Susan Templeton, Bellingham, Washington | Jul 18, 2011

Thank you Cindi, for encouraging me to open my mind to new ways of working by your own example. I agree there are many ways to find a fit for your skills that matches your long term goals. Having a life again is one of mine!
Posted by Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA, Lynnwood, Washington | Jul 20, 2011

Hi Susan,

If I understand your message it revolves around the concept of working effectively and if that is the foundation I whole heartedly agree with you.

Warm Regards,

Randal

Contractors Accounting And Bookkeeping Services
Posted by Greg Marshall, Bellingham, Washington | Jul 20, 2011

I don't think you have to work for someone else to get away from the long hours. I work for the state and I have long days and tons of hours many weeks.

Your point can be refined down to people finally understanding they don't have to work like that. For many people that means working for a bigger company.

If after 3 or 4 years as a consultant, you are still putting in 60+ hours a week to make basically the same at an 8-5 job somewhere....you need to reassess.

Before I stopped consulting, I only worked during the week and actually took weekends off. I lost a few customers who didn't think that was the proper attitude for a consultant ?!@#$ The whole point was I had enough business (and sense) to take that time off...life isn't all about work.
Posted by Trina Bol, Mount Vernon, Washington | Jul 21, 2011

Hi Susan: Although I have not found myself in the same position as both you and Cindi have I completely understand the message and the ability as Cindi put it...to find yourself in a company where your independence and entrepreneurial spirit are applauded.

My comment mostly is going to come from your comment about finding a team environment that champions your fine Indie self....

I find I am sitting on the other side of this issue in a way. We just hired someone like that today for our company and your words are basically her words to us. There is something refreshing about being part of a team that can work together, bounce ideas off of and be creative with, especially when you have been doing everything by yourself for so long. It's re-energizing and that alone can give you enough oomph to jump the hurdles that might have been holding you back.

I do think people need to take inventory of their situations on a regular basis. As creatures of habit it is sometimes too easy for us to get stuck in a rut (of any kind) and not realize that there might be a better way for us than the one we are on. Of course, sometimes it just means doing what Greg said and setting limits and respecting those boundaries so your life is full of the right things.

On a personal note: I'm so glad that you have found what you needed, what you were looking for and are happy with the move you have made. It's going to bring wonderful things into your life.
Posted by Susan Templeton, Bellingham, Washington | Jul 21, 2011

Randal, Correct.

My entrepreneural role required so much coping with new regulations (time, money, staff) which impacted my ability to work effectively in the face of higher operating costs. The split (betwee brokers vs. banks) has completely reversed from when I started.

Thanks for your wellwishes.
Posted by Susan Templeton, Bellingham, Washington | Jul 21, 2011

Greg,

The problem I have found as an entrepreneur is that you are never 'off' unless you have excellent boundaries...but my business tends to be more personal so that plays into the decision to be available. Certainly practicing self respect is imortant regardless of your client or employer.
Posted by Susan Templeton, Bellingham, Washington | Jul 21, 2011

Hi Trina,

There comes a point when professional interaction is really important which became increasingly obvious to me. One of the great things about Biznik is it's ability to fill that void with opportunities to find like minds.

Thanks for your well wishes!
Posted by Greg Marshall, Bellingham, Washington | Jul 21, 2011

Susan, Never being off as an entreprenuer is so right. To me, that was always one of the downsides. I loved being a technologist for people, but, I could not be connected to everyone 24 hours a day.

For me I could not control it and it almost caused a nervous breakdown. People see consultants as available whenever you call. The irony was no one seems to hold the larger companies to the same standards.

An interesting aside to this is happening in the educational world. Online instructors are finding the same "always on" issues as self employed entreprenuers. Online students expect instant replies 24 hours a day yet don't expect it out of face to face instructors.
Posted by Susan Templeton, Bellingham, Washington | Jul 22, 2011

Hi Greg,

It's a common theme that people will take what they can get - just like needy children - and a good teacher or consultant will encourage more self reliance. I guess you will have to log off more decisively!
Posted by Susan Templeton, Bellingham, Washington | Nov 26, 2012

Postscript November 25, 2012.

Still inside the mothership: I've noticed that the thing about a career that relies on your ability to interact with individuals in any kind of advisory role is that it is in fact - quite personal.

Wherever you go --- there you are!

And as a professional, I must have the self discipline to unhook at times from certain stressses and demands. Having high goals to success means weighing things on a triple bottom line basis: that I must also have healthy personal standards in line with my environmental and economic values.

Wearing fewer hats inside a corporate structure just puts more pressure on the one or two hats I now wear. The focus is sharper and no less urgent - but the great thing is being able to specialize. I have stretched myself this year plus by refining my skills and seeing there is always more to achieve is a very good thing!