Shop Owners: Can you ever unplug?

[Joe Marconi]

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[rubberbroker]

Joe,

Good for you!  Leaving the phone behind once you do it...is the most liberating thing of our current time..especially for a well connected business owner.  Now, take the next step and leave it behind when you are with friends and family.  The more you do it the easier and becomes...and guess what...no one really cares!  We have becomes so reliant and dependent on constant feeds from this wonderful tool, that we forget that we are actually in the middle of a life that consist of way more than a business.  To your point, can shop owners truly unplug?  The answer is yes, with small steps like this, it becomes the gateway to healthy boundaries.  So if you say you can't, try it.  Test it.  What is the worst that will happen?  I tell you this..it will help you identify where you need to focus to start living your life and enjoying the right now.  Funny thing is, I'm sitting here on my front porch listening to a rain storm...plugged in!  Dammit!!  Ok, I'm going out with friends for dinner and punting the phone!  

[stvstbsvc]

I LOVE watching other shop owners when I am at a weekday class of any sort.  Most of them can't wait for a break so they can check-in.  Sorry, but that just PROVES how much they need that class.  I have a crew that I TRUST!   I very seldom check-in with my crew.   If you do not trust your crew - hey, who hired them?  Train them, ENABLE them, and enjoy your life!

But lock my Cell in my room safe?  WOW!  I'm not sure I'm THAT brave!  🙂

[Scott Osborn]

I've reached that point in my life where I realize the value of unplugging. The shop is running great without me, often better... The unplugging used to take 4-5 days before I can relax and now I'm down to a quick 24hr period before that "Zen" point. This summer has pushed me to enjoy the time I have and let my employees run the business. They're rewarded for doing a good job & they make me proud. I've had several amazing vacations this year and looking forward to a few more. The latest was a week on the Houseboat in Lake Powell. I owe it to other owners and their wisdom, guys like Joe Marconi, Bob Cooper, Jim Murphy and many more who have taught me to release the bad customers, embrace the good and take care of the people that have a positive influence on you. Never be afraid of changing the way things are done! I talk to other shop owners on a daily basis and hear the same story, "That won't work in my shop", "My techs won't agree to that", etc.. Be the change, Lead them, Show them. It can be done.