I Have Checked into a 12-Step Program

It\’s time I came clean about something. It\’s my hope that my vulnerability and transparency will not diminish your view of me.

Regardless, what needs to be said needs to be said.

You see, in the past I struggled with a problem. This problem led me to do something that brought a certain degree of pleasure and satisfaction, but also taught me some painful lessons.

My choices carried a financial, emotional and relational cost.

As a result, I have taken a bold step towards health and wholeness by checking myself into a 12-step program.

Those are the twelve steps that lead from the bedroom level of my house to the office level. Every morning I get up and make my way down those twelve steps into a lifestyle that I absolutely love!

Gotcha.

So, what were the choices that led me such financial, emotional and relational distress?

To answer that question, allow me to turn back the clock a little more than a decade.

I started my business working at home. I had a small office in my home and was satisfied with being able to work whenever I wanted to without going anywhere.

However, as needs for growth arose, I located an office outside of my home. Soon after, I hired my first employee. After a time, I needed more space. Then I hired two more employees.

When I moved to Colorado in 2007, two of those employees came with me. (Perhaps one day I\’ll share the story of what happened with one of them… nightmare stuff…)

And then, the company grew. A receptionist, a support person, a graphic designer.

Within a short period of time I had topped out my staff at thirty-eight (38) people! That included VPs with different specialties, salespeople, designers, programmers, support and others.

Now don\’t get me wrong. I had a FANTASTIC team of people. There were actually very few staffing issues (though I had my share) and I was blessed to work with so many talented people.

But at some point, it got out of hand.

By the time I decided to step back from my business in 2011 and entered into my sabbatical, I knew that things had to change significantly.

Over the next year, I essentially brought my company back to one employee… me.

And for the past couple years, I have remained the only employee.

That\’s not to say that I don\’t have help. I have talented, reliable people who I hire on a contract basis for a number of tasks… things I am not good at doing. Bookkeeping, graphic design, copywriting, administration… I have the right people to help with all these things.

Then there are the joint venture partnerships. I am big on partnering with people who have products and services which I can relate to. I try to bring value to others by partnering with other smart people doing cool things.

But there is nothing like the freedom I currently enjoy from working at home once again.

I have eliminated the financial stress of payroll. I am glad that I was able to support so many families for as long as I did, but all things are for a season. That season ended and my life is less stressful as a result.

Of course, I have also eliminated or at least diminished much of the emotional stress relating to having an office with a large team of employees. I sleep better and take things in stride much easier.

Am I saying that it is bad to have employees? Absolutely not! You may be in that season of your business where it makes perfect sense.

For me, I don\’t know that I ever want to go through that again.

And am I making fun of the 12 Step program? By no means. I believe in recovery and the value that such programs bring to the lives of those suffering with painful addictions. I have benefited from recovery programs in the past and am supportive of those efforts.

But the twelve steps from my upper level to my lower level have been a Godsend. I love working at home!

How about you? Do you work at home? Do you have any employees? Please share your experiences with me in the comments field below!