The Luxury of Vomit: Why Your Business Needs to Run Itself”
It was one of those picture-perfect mornings. I had just wrapped up an amazing week of birthday celebrations—yes, I’m a firm believer that birthdays should last at least a week! I was sitting on the couch, feeling pretty good about myself, with a cup of coffee slowly cooling next to me. I glanced over my “get to do” list for the day, mentally preparing for a productive day ahead.
And that’s when I felt it—a motion beside me that I knew, deep in my core, meant something was about to go down. The kind of motion that makes you instinctively search for the nearest exit, even though you know there’s no escape. Before I could react, my daughter, who had been sitting peacefully next to me, suddenly transformed into a volcano, erupting with cries of “Momma, help me!” as she emptied the contents of her stomach all over me.
When Life (Literally) Hits You: In that instant, my carefully crafted plans for the day evaporated. There I was, covered in vomit, with three sick kids to take care of and a business that needed my attention. This wasn’t the kind of multitasking I had signed up for, but it was the reality of being a mom and a business owner.
As I spent the next few days nursing my kids back to health, something dawned on me. Being sick—or in this case, caring for sick kids—was, in a strange way, a luxury. I didn’t have to ask anyone for permission to stay home. I didn’t have to worry about lost wages or keeping up appearances on social media. My business was still running, money was still coming in, and I had the freedom to focus on what mattered most—my family.
The Importance of Systems: This experience was a powerful reminder of the importance of having systems in place that allow your business to run even when you can’t. Life is unpredictable. Today it’s a sick child; tomorrow it could be a family emergency, a personal health issue, or just the need to take a mental health day. Whatever the reason, the reality is that there will be times when you need to step away from your business. And when that happens, you need to know that everything won’t come crashing down.
So, how do you build a business that can run on autopilot when life throws you a curveball?
1. Automate Where You Can: Automation is a game-changer for any business. Whether it’s automating your marketing emails, setting up automatic billing and payments, or using scheduling tools to manage appointments, automation frees up your time and ensures that critical tasks are handled without your constant input.
Think of automation as your business’s safety net. When you’re too busy dealing with life’s unexpected events (like cleaning up vomit), your automated systems keep things moving smoothly in the background.
2. Delegate and Outsource: As much as we might like to think we can do it all, the truth is that we can’t—and we shouldn’t try. Delegating tasks to a trusted team or outsourcing specific functions to experts allows you to focus on what you do best while ensuring that other aspects of your business are in capable hands.
Whether it’s hiring a virtual assistant to handle customer inquiries, outsourcing your accounting, or bringing in a marketing specialist, delegating and outsourcing are key to building a business that doesn’t rely solely on you.
3. Create a Contingency Plan: A solid contingency plan is your business’s best friend when life gets chaotic. This plan should outline what needs to happen if you’re suddenly unavailable. Who will take over key responsibilities? How will you communicate with your team? What systems need to be in place to ensure continuity?
Having a well-thought-out contingency plan gives you peace of mind, knowing that your business can weather any storm without you at the helm.
4. Prioritize Flexibility: One of the biggest benefits of being an entrepreneur is the flexibility it offers. But that flexibility only exists if you’ve structured your business to allow for it. Prioritize building a business model that lets you step away when necessary without everything falling apart.
This might mean setting up remote work options, building a flexible schedule, or even just mentally preparing yourself to adapt when life doesn’t go as planned. The more flexible your business, the easier it is to navigate the challenges that inevitably come your way.
The Real Luxury: The real luxury in business isn’t just financial freedom or the ability to call the shots—it’s the freedom to take care of yourself and your loved ones when they need you most. It’s knowing that your business won’t implode if you need to take a few days off. It’s having the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve built something sustainable, something that doesn’t depend entirely on your day-to-day presence.
So, the next time you find yourself in the midst of chaos—whether it’s a sick child, a personal emergency, or just a tough day—take a moment to appreciate the systems you’ve put in place. Because those systems are what allow you to truly enjoy the freedom that comes with being your own boss.
And if you haven’t yet built those systems, there’s no better time to start. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did—especially when life decides to throw a little chaos your way.
Conclusion: Running a business while managing life’s unpredictable moments isn’t always easy, but it’s possible—and it’s worth it. By automating, delegating, planning, and prioritizing flexibility, you can build a business that runs itself, giving you the luxury of time, peace of mind, and the freedom to focus on what truly matters.
So, are you ready to create a business that supports your life, instead of the other way around? If so, it’s time to start putting those systems in place. Because the real luxury isn’t just surviving the chaos—it’s thriving through it.
This article expands on the story from your email, turning it into a longer, more detailed piece that offers practical advice while maintaining the relatable, lighthearted tone of the original. It’s designed to resonate with your LinkedIn audience, providing value while also giving them a glimpse into the realities of balancing business and life.