Does freedom mean being on or off the tracks?

Freedom. What comes to mind when you hear that word?

Being able to do what you want?

No boundaries or restrictions?

Being your own boss?

Being yourself?

No restraint?

No rules?

As it relates to business, we’re told as solopreneurs that anything is possible, with the only limit being what the entrepreneurial mind can create. Most small businesses embark on this journey with the utmost optimism and diligence, expecting to achieve aspirations of freedom. But how realistic are these expectations? While reasons such as the lack of efficient processes, poor hiring practices, and cash flow problems are credited for the downfall of many ventures, how does freedom fit into all of this?

Freedom is the power to live your life by your own rules

Regardless of your definition, the prevailing notion of freedom has to do with not being told what to do and when. For this reason, sometimes personal freedom can look anything from trying to check out 20 items in the 10 items or less lane at the supermarket to wearing white after Labor Day. For self-employed professionals, freedom can either mean being able to watch TV throughout the day or running personal errands without having to submit a request for personal leave to do so. 

For a business owner, taking arbitrary time off or spending money on nonessential items can sometimes fall under the category of freedom. If some of these scenarios seem too extreme or unlikely, there are more company-related ways that entrepreneurs may exploit the freedom that comes along with business ownership. These could include spending more time crafting service packages rather than marketing or investing heavily in paid ads and other sales tactics without having a clearly defined client journey workflow.

Freedom is discipline

While this phrase may seem contradictory, it’s worth exploring the principles that support a rigid approach to…well, anything! According to the description for the book by Jocko Willink on Amazon, “In Discipline Equals Freedom, the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Extreme Ownership describes how he lives that mantra: the mental and physical disciplines he imposes on himself to achieve freedom in all aspects of life.” 

How could living a life or operating a business with restrictions engender a feeling of freedom? Discipline helps individuals enforce boundaries around the things that bring them the most advancement in their endeavors while the absence thereof leaves plans vulnerable to the onslaught of time-sucking distractions. Therefore, a direct result of the discipline principle is time management.

A disciplined person not only allocates time effectively but also exhibits self-control when tempted to spend insidious amounts of time on anything not previously planned or deemed not urgent or important. For example, the business owner who spends all night on tasks because of mismanaged time can find themselves suffering from diminished mental alertness the following day. Whereas, discipline will foster adherence to a schedule that ensures tasks are completed as intended during the day, sparing the business owner the damaging effects of unhealthy sleeping habits.

What does freedom mean to you?

A long time ago, I remember coming across a seemingly rhetorical question, “When does a train have more freedom, being on or off the tracks?” Then I mused, “How far can a train even get without tracks?” Being able to determine how your perception of freedom impacts your progress can ultimately mean the difference between success and failure, in both personal and professional aspirations.

The question is, how do you plan on getting your train to its final destination?

Shalom, everyone!