Walking the Tightrope

Running a business is both an incredible experience, and an incredible privilege. But it comes with a certain set of responsibilities. Regardless of what is happening in your personal life, you’ve got to deliver. In my case, for anxious parents, ambitious students, and hard-working staff. If I don’t show up, the floor falls out for all of these parties. Students lose crucial support. The team loses a primary source of income.

Naturally, it is a good problem to have, but it certainly adds some stakes, and at times, unwanted stress. This year, I want to be as present and immersed as possible. This isn’t an opportunity I’m likely to get again. I want to allow time for depth, spontaneity, social connection, and new experiences. Yet, amongst it all, I need time to work. If I don’t, the entire business simply doesn’t work. Then, not only do I have no income, but I also fail to deliver on the many promises I’ve made to tutors and clients alike.

Whilst travelling by ourselves, this wasn’t so difficult. I had established clear expectations, and did a reasonably strong job at sticking to those. But executing in Week 1, Term 3—one of the busiest times of the year for me—whilst surrounded by friends, family, fun, chaos, constant movement, and time differences, is a different story. I’ve had to walk a tightrope. Still being there for my friends, and thoroughly present in what has been a special period, but also there for those who depend on Acuity.

There is a middle-ground, certainly. Last night I watched the World Cup Finale. Pretty expected, I suppose. Unfortunately, the game ended at 5:30am for me. It isn’t optimal. I still had deadlines to meet today. Nevertheless, a worthwhile trade-off. I wouldn’t want to miss it, nor the company of my friends, just to type away, alone, on my laptop. At least I still managed some sleep, and woke up hangover-free.

It isn’t been perfect, but the world has kept spinning. For the next three months, I’ll become a whole lot more incapable of dealing with setbacks and spot-fires, given the 8+ hour time difference from Europe. Hence, every second invested in developing sound systems and processes now will hopefully pay massive dividends once tested in about a week. It’ll be a new challenge, but I’ll do my best to keep walking that tightrope; maintaining that all-important balance.