If you’re a business owner or want to start your own business, you’ve probably done a lot of research, read all the blogs, gathered all the tips, and studied all the big business books on how to be successful. Well, I’m here to shake things up a little bit and give a heavy dose of reality. Because while those business guides and tips are all fine and dandy in a perfect world full of no other obligations, in reality, they don’t work for most people. Especially for me.

Yes, I’m a business owner. And I consider myself a successful business owner. 

But I’m also a mom of three little girls, a wife, a friend, a daughter, and a homeowner. I have other things going on in my life that I need to accomplish (that laundry isn’t gonna wash itself) and things that I WANT to be part of. That’s why I started this whole thing in the first place – to create the life I WANT. So, here are 3 big biz myths I’m busting today and what I do instead! 

Myth #1: Get a head start on the day by waking up before the sun

Uhhh, that’s a hard pass. Do you know what happens when I wake up before the sun? Nothing. Because I’m tired AF. I’m not productive; I’m cranky, grumpy, and lazy. Do you know why? Because I have three little kids who don’t care if I’m getting up before the sun, they still feel the need to wake me up at alllllll hours of the night because they had a bad dream, or need to pee, or need a drink of water, or their finger hurts. If waking up before the sun works for you, that’s great! But if it doesn’t, you don’t have to say goodbye to success. Here’s what you CAN do: work when YOU are the most productive. Is that during nap time? After the kids go to bed? After you get the kids off to school? After you hit the gym? After dinner? Learn your own habits and work when you are the most productive, even if it’s not before the sun comes up. Your peak productive time will produce the highest quality of work in the shortest amount of time. So, you do you, boo. 

Myth #2: Work hard, play hard

I object. Well, kind of. Yes, being a business owner is hard work. Do I love what I do? Yes. But it’s still work and sometimes it’s hard work. I’ll argue this until the cows come home: being consistent is more important than hard work. It’s always the FIRST piece of advice I give my clients. Show up for your business, show up for your audience, and be consistent with your work. That will have far better results for you than working hard!

Myth #3: You have to make sacrifices to see the rewards

Nope, you don’t. You are a business owner, which means YOU get to decide what you WANT to do. Build your business to fit your life, not the other way around. Remember, you were already in a spot where you were putting work first (that’s probably why you left the traditional 9-5 in the first place). You now have the opportunity to start, build, and grow your business however it fits within your life. Don’t get caught bending backwards for everyone else. Set boundaries and follow them.

What I really want you to think about is how you define success. How will you rate your success? Is it a monetary goal? A freedom goal? A work-life balance goal? What are you striving for in your business, and how will you know when you have achieved it? But, most importantly, have fun! You have the opportunity to create something unique, do it!