Happy Interdependence Day! Yeah, I know. It doesn't quite have the right ring to it, does it? But as a small and independent business owner, in order to be successful in your quest for independence from things you don't want, you must first be successful in achieving a state of interdependence when it comes ot the things you do want.
An African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. There is no bigger truth when it comes to life and business. Here's why interdependence is they key to achieving independence.
1. Family interdependence
When you tell your spouse and other significant others in your household what you need from them in order to succeed in your business, a strong alliance is formed. They depend on you to generate income from your efforts. You depend on them to pitch in and help you do that, by allowing you to have specific office hours for example.
Interdependent household participants strengthen you, your business, and your family. It takes work to achieve this state, even more work to maintain it. (Ask me how I know.) But it's worth it. (Ask me how I know that too …)
2. Network interdependence
Connecting yourself to a network of like-minded people who are as determined as you are to reach specific goals is a key to using interdependence to your benefit. As you give to the network, you also get. It's a blessing to be able to contribute to the lives of others in this way.
It's a miracle that the more you give to your network, the stronger and more successful everyone in that network becomes. You all achieve a delicate state of interdependence, one on the other. (And be careful who you network with — that's another post …)
3. Technological interdependence
You need to depend on technology in order to be successful in your business, but your state of dependence should never become unhealthy for your business. Using FaceBook as your core marketing tool is an example of being dependent on FaceBook — overly so.
Connecting FaceBook with your email newsletter, on the other hand, is an example of being interdependent on FaceBook. Your core remains strong, and FaceBook is icing on top of that cake. That's a state of interdependence every business owner can thrive within.
4. Team interdependence
Surround yourself with dedicated, smart people who believe in your goals and will commit to helping you achieve them, as you pay them fairly for their services. You depend on them. They depend on you. Yes, but no one is completely and utterly dependent on the other.
Hire smart people so if you have to lay them off, they are not devastated and can replace the lost income. Don't give your entire business to those smart people, so if they leave you, you are not devastated because you have made them irreplaceable. See? Interdependence is good.
4. Physical interdependence
It takes enormous amounts of energy and stamina to lead a business for the long haul. If you want to be in business for a long time, take care of your health as much as you can. Exercise. Drink lots of water. Refuse to sit for long periods of time.
Connect with healthy people who have mastered some of the physical fitness skills you want to master. One way to do this is to follow and participate in a hashtag that celebrates and empowers you in the areas of fitness that you enjoy. Allow people to help you, and make sure you are giving value back to them.
Question: Will you be celebrating your interdependence today?
