Expectations

Do you have expectations of yourself and your business? During this time of Thanksgiving and pre-holiday madness, you might want to evaluate what they are. The reason I present this has to do with two very emotional conversations I had with two important people in my life: my father and step-dad.
Right after stepping off the plane in Michigan and unexpectedly going to the grocery store, my dad proceeded to have a very intense set of questions to outline the "expectations" of our relationship going forward. This was primarily an overview of monetary concerns that he had, or in actuality, what he did not wish to feel "obligated" to me. Then, Thanksgiving rolled around and my step-father seemed to be aghast at my failure to be making in excess of $100,000 per year. I humbly indicated what my compensation and lifestyle is really like and the realities in which Anthony and I lived in.
Some other people could have been offended or hurt by these parent's remarks. I took it in stride and looked at my life and my business objectively. It reminded me that simple survival is not sufficient in today's world, but rather the need to accumulate some assets and eliminate any and all obligations to others is part of the dream of many entrepreneurs. I am proud of the fact that I don't owe money to anyone for starting my companies. Though I still have school debt, I have survived five years of being in business including some of the worst times in recent economic memory. I share this to be a bit cathartic about what happened, but in addition to remind you, gentle reader, of the need to keep envisioning your success not just today, but how to be free of other's expectations. At the same time, you need to have clear sight to what YOU want out of your life and business. I am so thankful that I never feel I go to work anymore. I am just living my life and clients and customers pay me to live it! Isn't that remarkable? It is for today, but those conversations reminded me that at some point, I have to possess enough to sustain myself and my partner in our non-working life. Should I just continue to reposition my life and business so that I am always compensated for living it? That certainly seems like a possibility. What do you think?