By Chris G Jones · · Updated · 3 min read
The working pattern stopped making sense to me
When I worked in the motor trade, long hours and six-day weeks were treated as part of the deal. It was a successful environment in many ways, but becoming a father made me look at that pattern differently. I did not want work to define the time I had with my children.
Leaving was not an easy decision, but it gave me a more useful definition of success. The work has to support the life you want to live, not simply take every hour it can get from you.
The diary tells the truth
I take my children to school and usually pick them up too. Family events go into the diary first. I protect them in the same way I would protect an important client meeting because otherwise the urgency of the day will always find a way to take over.
That does not mean every week goes perfectly. It means I have been clear about the default. If a business arrangement cannot make room for that, it is probably not the right arrangement for me.
Why this affects how I build companies
I do not want a business that depends on one person remembering, chasing and rescuing every detail. That creates pressure for the owner and uncertainty for everyone else. Clearer ownership, useful records and sensible automation can take some of that weight away.
The aim is not to fill every spare minute more efficiently. It is to organise work so people can do a good job without giving up the rest of their life to make it happen.