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	Great Job Frank, Well Done!! Thanks Frank!

	by Frank Murphy

Recently, a good friend of mine (a plumber), told me he was leaving the contractor that he was working for and starting his own BUSINESS. I said to him, “Well then, I’m going to give you $100.” Both pleased and surprised, he asked me, “What for ?” I told him, “To see a doctor to get your head examined!” Why would I say this? Because working for yourself is, in many ways, HARDER than working for someone else.

THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

Those of us entrepreneurs smile at that because it’s exactly how we feel at times. We love being the boss, but we work ourselves to death in a way we never would for another employer. Isn’t it strange that despite being professional business owners, we feel GUILTY about treating our main employee (that’s us, folks) with the rewarding consideration that we deserve and have most certainly earned. Here are some guilt-free, common-sense suggestions for PERKS we ought to be enjoying:

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

When business slows down a little, or at the end of a project, take a day OFF. The world won’t stop and you won’t go bankrupt if you decide to take a long weekend to spend on some ENJOYABLE, non-business-related activity -- like getting away with your spouse or family, doing some yard work, having a cookout or informal dinner party or just sleeping late and spending the day reading.

CUT YOUR BUSINESS DAY SHORT

Don’t be afraid to leave work EARLY occasionally. Beat the traffic; get a head start on the evening. Your voice mail picks up incoming calls and you can check it once you’re home.

TAKE A TRIP

Plan at least one VACATION a year away from home. Leave the cell phone, palm pilot, digital assistant and laptop in the refrigerator. All of us need R and R (Rest and Relaxation), mixed in with a healthy dose of F and F (Fun and Frolicking). Having your mind and body elsewhere RECHARGES the all the batteries and we are more effective and motivated when we return to work.

FOLLOW THE GOVERNMENT WORK SCHEDULE

Take the national HOLIDAYS off, like most everyone else does. And don’t do business stuff. Do some non-business activity that YOU would like to do. Sleep in, go to a movie or parade, have a picnic, visit Greenville, wash and polish my motorcycle (joke!)

DON'T BE CHEAP

Spend a little MONEY on yourself. I can’t stand the phrase “bottom line” and am convinced that you can’t successfully run a business if that is your sole focus. If you’ve built up a cash RESERVE, spend some of it. I meet with another businessman twice a month for lunch to discuss our businesses (some) and deepen our friendship (much more). We rotate paying and it is deductible. You will find it so refreshing to get out of the office for that hour.

DON'T FORGET BONUSES

Along with your salary, give your self a DIVIDEND (which is non-taxable, so my accountant tells me). Upgrade your wardrobe, especially if you’re in front of decision-makers. For heaven’s sake, own a decent company car. A colleague of mine decided that she’d had it with the Honda and went out and bought a Navigator!! She took the DEDUCTION lump sum and with the tax refund bought herself some new clothes (and shoes, of course). Her image radiates success.

INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE

Start a company individual retirement account (IRA) or simplified employee pension (SEP). Start small and contribute regularly and over time it will grow. It’s a legitimate expense and deductible and for you. Check with your accountant for the plan that best suits you.

CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESSES

As an organizer, it is important for me to pay attention to the PROGRESS I make in my business. On each job, I take at least a complete roll of “before” pictures and have them developed. As the job moves forward, I look at the mess that has since been replaced by a neat, clean and well-organized storeroom. At the end of the job, I walk through what formerly resembled a landfill, look over my handiwork with great APPRECIATION for the results, and thankfully acknowledge the organizing talent given to me.

TOOT YOUR OWN HORN

Don't be afraid to pat yourself on the back. Recognize the fact that not everyone has your particular expertise, coupled with the moxie it takes to start and run a business. COMMEND yourself for your imagination, initiative, commitment, drive, self-discipline, talent, ethics, professionalism, and above all, two four-letter words -- hard work. Despite the headaches that accompany ownership of any business, the personal SATISFACTION that comes with any measure of success is, well, priceless.

ACCEPT ACCOLADES GRACIOUSLY

And don’t be self-conscious about receiving COMPLIMENTS. If you do a good job, help the client, save them some money, streamline their work processes, make them more productive and efficient, reduce their stress -- or whatever the benefits are of your services -- you’ve earned the privilege of basking a little in the PRAISE your clients bestow on you. Cheerfully face the fact that you have driven out their demons and replaced them with (almost) divine order.

IT'S TIME TO REAP THE REWARDS

Let’s face it, we’ve all put in our fair share of 18 hour days when we started out. We all started our businesses on a shoestring (mine was in the laundry room on a month’s pay), and we’ve all worked hard to get where we are today. We’ve EARNED those special perks that come with business ownership and need to treat ourselves to them. Do I deserve a break today and have it my way occasionally?? You BET I do!

Frank Murphy founded and runs Inventory Management Services Inc. of Greenville, SC, which specializes in parts storage area and tool crib design, setup, relocation, organizing, inventory and bar coding labeling to reduce costs, improve efficiency and maximize use of available space. He can be reached at ims@practicalorganization.com.

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