Executive Careers How Much Is Enough? And Why YOU Are The Issue.

Many salespeople who prospect executives in order to sell their goods and services make a big mistake. They actually try to make contact these executives during normal business hours. When I need to be to talk to executives, I've found it's much easier to reach them before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Do the math, if they're working 60-80 hour weeks, they have to be there at those times. And generally, you won't find the gatekeepers there at that time either.

And this leads one to wonder how much is enough? I have known many corporate executives who literally hate what they are doing. The details, the hours, the travel, the constant "strategy" planning, the minutiae, and time away of family. All justified by making the big bucks. Or what they perceive as same. When I mention to them that they could actually make the same income or more, working 20-30 hours per week, they look at me quizzically.

Personally, I have never been a C-level executive, but as a sales manager in various organizations, I have dealt with many of them. COO, CFO, CEO, CIO, etc. And they all have certain traits in common, the main one is that they tend to be workaholics. They are all talented at what they do. They will tell you that they are happy doing what they are doing. Ok. Then why do corporations spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year treating executive burnout, sending their executives to executive retreats and the like. Doesn't sound like a very healthy gig to me. The stress is overwhelming, sometimes life threatening. Which is why I chose the sales professional many years ago. Because an executive level income can be made, without all the stress and pressure. And especially without all the hours. Spend 70 percent of my life at the office, airports, on the road? No, thank you. I have much more important things to do, like spend time with my family.

Many are trying to get out, but whoever said knowledge is power, was unfortunately dead wrong...

The fact of the matter is that entrepreneurs trying to break free from the corporate grind are buying the latest, greatest info-products... reading the manuals... listening to the CDs... watching DVD's like never before, like they are going out of style.But sadly few of these corporate people actually do much with the knowledge.

If you're a corporate executive, trying to escape the grind, this is why, at the end of the day, you are the real issue.

Only you.

Why do you suppose that is?

Most people are perched at the edge of a chasm, afraid to leap into unchartered territory. They don't have the confidence or the self image that is required to pursue a life of prosperity and abundance. Entrepreneurial success requires a very,very clear image of the person you wish to become. Fortunately, confidence and self image are things that can be developed and nurtured. You can transform yourself into what you wish to be.Question is, how bad do you want it?

As I've mentioned, I have been in professional sales and sales management my entire career. And I will tell you that before I started my own journey of personal growth, development and discovery, I thought I was the real deal. But then I realized, if that was the case, why was I so miserable in the corporate world? What I found out was that I too, had limiting doubts and beliefs about myself. Most of us do. And these were preventing me from being the person that I really wanted to become. One of my favorite quotes is from Bruce Sringsteen:

"A time comes when you need to stop waiting for the person you want to become and start becoming the person you want to be."

I often wonder why people would put themselves through such torture, which is what it comes down to for me. How many birthdays do you have to miss? How many calls to the wife and kids from the airport saying that you won't be able to make the game, the recital or some other important family event? I have always been very cynical of the "we are family" pitch that corporations try to ram down their employees throats. Because it's all smoke.How many "families" would take you away from your children's birthdays and other special events? Not much of a family, if you ask me. Not where I come from anyway. I suppose that their are kinder, gentler corporations out there, but they are surely few and far between.

How about the 24/7 workday? I talk with real estate agents everyday who are on this program. All I can say is wow. I sold real estate in the early 80's, but that was quite obviously before the age of cell phones, Internet and the rest. The days were still long, but nothing compared to this day and age. I used to say that I only worked half a day, and it didn't matter which twelve hours it was. Nowadays however, I work an average of 30 hours per week and earn more money than I ever have. Why? Because there are many opportunities available to us today that were not possible before. And also, there are systems and processes to help us generate leads on a 24/7 basis.

Some realtors tell me that they would actually give up money to be able to have more time available for them and their family. But when presented with an opportunity to do so, they balk. Many can't seem to open their mind to the fact that they can potentially make more money and work less. And power down the cell phone at a decent hour in the evening.

At the end of the day, it's your call. Continue down the road with your corporate "family"and spend time with them at an executive burnout retreat, airports or hotel rooms or choose to spend time with your real family on a vacation. I know what I would choose. In fact, I already have. What will you do?

To your success.

Matt McDonald McDonald Media Group Educate. Execute. Prosper. Engage Your Corporate Career Killswitch http://www.onlineprofitline.com