My wife and I bought a business a little over two years ago (I did NOT make that website). We were under the impression that it would provide us with an income that was greater than we were already getting. Additionally, I would be able to work from home, which was a big plus, since I was commuting about 45 minutes, one way. We decided that I would work both jobs until we payed back all the loans from the business. Based on the figures we were shown when we bought the business, this would take about 1.5 years. I figured I could work two jobs for that long with no problem.
Fast forward to today (a little over two years) and I’m still working two jobs. Why, you ask? Well, one of the key questions you’re supposed to ask when you buy a business is “does 30% of your revenue come from one customer?”. Another is “if so, is that customer planning on being a customer for a while?”. Because if you get a “yes” and a “no”, respectively, you probably should think twice about buying the business.
But, that’s a lesson we’ve learned and a mistake we won’t make again. In fact, regardless of those circumstances, we still would have bought the business because we prayed about it and got the answer that it was a good idea. So, I’m not saying we shouldn’t have bought the business. I just wish I would have known what was coming.
So, after two plus years of 65-hour work weeks, I think I’m finally burnt out. It’s been exacerbated lately because I’ve been working exclusively from home, which means no social contact until weekends. Anyway, I now feel like I’m really dragging my feet when I go to do anything. It feels like I’m pulling out my teeth to do things I used to look forward to doing.
The real concern I have is that this feeling will last forever and I won’t be able to stand it. I’ll wind up a useless lump of crap in an overworn office chair. I’ve never felt this way before, having always loved to work hard. So, if any of you have advice, I’d sure love to hear it. And if any of that advice is a link to your blog where you’re selling insurance, save it.
