TCFBO #057: Rethinking "The E-Myth"

Read Time: 2 minutes

One of the first business books we read when we started our entrepreneurial journey together was Michael Gerber’s “The E-Myth Revisited”.

It’s a great read that provides invaluable insights on why small businesses struggle and what to do about it.

In particular it focuses on the critical role of systems to build a business that doesn't rely solely on you as the business owner.

Clearly this appeals to Paul “I love a good system” Fuggle and so we have applied a lot of the thinking to our various business ventures over the years.

And we’ve become keen advocates for creating systems to improve the efficiency and scalability of our clients’ businesses.

But there’s another side to the story which we think is just as important but often ignored.

You see, an oft-quoted sentence from the book is:

"If your business depends on you, you don't own a business - you have a job."

It's a powerful premise to encourage us as business owners to build businesses that operate independently from us.

The problem is that sometimes the quote is used to imply that “a job” is something business owners shouldn’t have.

But if you’re passionate about specific roles you play in your business, being actively involved in the day-to-day operations can be extremely fulfilling and rewarding.

And if you truly love what you do, would stepping away from that take you out of alignment with who you are and the vision you have for your life and business?

Systems undeniably make life easier.

They help your business run smoothly without you constantly having to manage everything.

But what if we view our businesses not just as a system but as a platform for personal expression and joy?

And not just for us, but for those who work with us?

If your business fuels your passion, staying involved doesn't necessarily mean you haven’t succeeded in systematising it.

It simply means you're continuing to choose to be an integral part of your business.

In our opinion, what Michael Gerber is actually saying in “The E-Myth Revisited” is that by developing and implementing standardised processes and procedures, small business owners can create consistency, predictability, and scalability.

And this allows them to focus on the strategic aspects of their business and work towards their long-term vision.

And if that long-term vision includes you working in your business on a daily business because you love doing so, then we say:

“Great! Go for it!”

So, what aspects of your business do you love working in and want to stay involved in?

Focus on those and look for ways to systemise the rest.

Let us know how you get on and we’ll see you next week.

Paul & Philly

Whenever you’re ready, there are three ways we can help you:

1. Grab a copy of Paul’s book “Backwards Planning - A Simple Method to Move You and Your Business Forward” and discover how to reverse engineer a life and business you truly love.

2. Book a facilitated “Life Vision Session” today and start creating a life and business that are fully aligned with your heart’s desires. We’ll arrange a pre-session call with you to say “Hi”, explain how the Life Vision Session works and answer any questions you may have.

3. Apply to join “The Clear Focus Business Academy” and ensure your business is the most effective it can be at providing the money and lifestyle you desire. Simply drop us an email or contact us here to tell us you’re interested and we’ll send you more info.