Being Boss summary

Here’s a question: How many people do you think are happy and engaged in their jobs? Sixty percent? Fifty? The actual figure might surprise you. 

According to analytics firm Gallup, only 30 percent of American employees are engaged and enthusiastic about their work. It’s no wonder many people want to start their own businesses. But making the switch from employee to boss isn’t without its challenges. For example, how do you put together a business plan and create structure? And what about making time for all the things that matter to you, like family, friends, and hobbies? 

As overwhelming as this all sounds, it’s not impossible. You can build a successful business and live a fulfilling life. It’s what the authors call being boss.

The key message here is: Being boss requires intention, commitment, and trust in the process. 

Being boss means intentionally creating the life you want, both in- and outside of work. You don’t just build your business and pay the bills – you also invest in the relationships, experiences, and lifestyle that allow you to thrive. And the great part is that defining these aspects is entirely up to you! It could mean only doing the work you feel passionate about, building a business with strong values and beliefs, or having the freedom to travel.

But however you define the details of being boss, getting there requires hard work. And the only way to get through it is by committing to enjoying and trusting the process. When you relish in the process, it’s easier to make the necessary changes, from rethinking your career to adjusting your home life. And when you trust that everything you’re doing will pay off in the long run, you’re less likely to worry or feel anxious about it.

So how exactly do you establish the commitment and trust that will mean you end up with the work and life of your dreams? Well, you need the right foundations. Talking with different entrepreneurs and creatives, the authors noticed several recurring ideas that they pinpoint as the foundations of being boss. 

In the following blinks, we’ll explore each of these themes and how to leverage them, on the journey to working for yourself and living a fulfilling life.