I Have Checked into a 12-Step Program

Byjoel

It’s time I came clean about something. It’s my hope that my vulnerability and transparency will not diminish your view of me.

Regardless, what needs to be said needs to be said.

You see, in the past I struggled with a problem. This problem led me to do something that brought a certain degree of pleasure and satisfaction, but also taught me some painful lessons.

My choices carried a financial, emotional and relational cost.

As a result, I have taken a bold step towards health and wholeness by checking myself into a 12-step program.

12step - Copy

Those are the twelve steps that lead from the bedroom level of my house to the office level. Every morning I get up and make my way down those twelve steps into a lifestyle that I absolutely love!

Gotcha.

So, what were the choices that led me such financial, emotional and relational distress?

To answer that question, allow me to turn back the clock a little more than a decade.

I started my business working at home. I had a small office in my home and was satisfied with being able to work whenever I wanted to without going anywhere.

However, as needs for growth arose, I located an office outside of my home. Soon after, I hired my first employee. After a time, I needed more space. Then I hired two more employees.

When I moved to Colorado in 2007, two of those employees came with me. (Perhaps one day I’ll share the story of what happened with one of them… nightmare stuff…)

And then, the company grew. A receptionist, a support person, a graphic designer.

Within a short period of time I had topped out my staff at thirty-eight (38) people! That included VPs with different specialties, salespeople, designers, programmers, support and others.

Now don’t get me wrong. I had a FANTASTIC team of people. There were actually very few staffing issues (though I had my share) and I was blessed to work with so many talented people.

But at some point, it got out of hand.

By the time I decided to step back from my business in 2011 and entered into my sabbatical, I knew that things had to change significantly.

Over the next year, I essentially brought my company back to one employee… me.

And for the past couple years, I have remained the only employee.

That’s not to say that I don’t have help. I have talented, reliable people who I hire on a contract basis for a number of tasks… things I am not good at doing. Bookkeeping, graphic design, copywriting, administration… I have the right people to help with all these things.

Then there are the joint venture partnerships. I am big on partnering with people who have products and services which I can relate to. I try to bring value to others by partnering with other smart people doing cool things.

But there is nothing like the freedom I currently enjoy from working at home once again.

I have eliminated the financial stress of payroll. I am glad that I was able to support so many families for as long as I did, but all things are for a season. That season ended and my life is less stressful as a result.

Of course, I have also eliminated or at least diminished much of the emotional stress relating to having an office with a large team of employees. I sleep better and take things in stride much easier.

Am I saying that it is bad to have employees? Absolutely not! You may be in that season of your business where it makes perfect sense.

For me, I don’t know that I ever want to go through that again.

And am I making fun of the 12 Step program? By no means. I believe in recovery and the value that such programs bring to the lives of those suffering with painful addictions. I have benefited from recovery programs in the past and am supportive of those efforts.

But the twelve steps from my upper level to my lower level have been a Godsend. I love working at home!

How about you? Do you work at home? Do you have any employees? Please share your experiences with me in the comments field below!

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28 Comments

  1. I knew you didn’t mean the traditional “12 Step” program, but guessed wrong. I was expecting you to list the 12 steps you have taken to reinvent yourself. Stuff like “step into the unknown and take a chance” or whatever. Same idea, but not as literal!

  2. Joel, I have enjoyed your posts on FB the last many weeks and appreciate that you let me participate. The above article was very interesting and I took it as inspiring. I enjoy that you use one word or partial sentences to watch persons’ responses and direct a conversation. I work with a tiny nonprofit that is trying to grow. The work Pickitup Foundation does is noble and good, but there are dozens doing the same thing. I want to be able to make persons WANT to donate to us. I am great doing the clean up work, I am able to meet & talk with people from all over the US, but I am horrible at closing donations. Suggestions? Or how does your consulting & fee scale work. I devour info. I dont want to simply turn into a social media junkie who has tons of online friends and makes clever little one sentence quips that persons smile at. I want to make this a sustainable nonprofit that has measurable results, large donations from private long term benefactors and the possibility of a large corporate sponsor. Big dreams for a nonprofit that is trying to hit $50,000.00 this year. Sincerely, Scott Sutton-Pickitup Foundation

    1. Those are admirable goals, Scott! I’m sure Joel can give you some excellent advice and great tips on using social media in conjunction with your fundraising efforts. I’d also direct you to the blog of Diana Schwenk. She works with a non-profit in Calgary, AB. Her goal, to use her own words, is “to help you tell your story in a way that presents a call to action and invites like-minded, passionate people to share their time, treasure and talent to fulfill your mission.” You can find her blog here: http://theotherbottomline.wordpress.com/

  3. Great post Joel! I too had an office location for a regional training & OD Support firm with all the responsibilities. Now – with an amazing support TEAM rather than staff – I freed myself long ago from the things that made me tired and turned much more of my attention to the things that make me feel inspired!

    I had to go walk it to be sure, but my small bedroom to my workspace is — wait for it — 12 Steps! (plus 2 more to get to my bed). You ROCK!

  4. Yes, you got me too! And I appreciate the disclaimer/shout out at the end for real 12 step programs that have done so much good for so many.

    When I work from home, it’s in one of three distinct spots. I need to continuity of a place to go to in order to get things done. But I also find some of my greatest inspiration away from the security of my little home office cocoon. Amen to iPhones with voice recorders, not to mention little scraps of paper and purple pens at my gym, where really good stuff gets captured.

    I REALLY dig learning from you, Mr. Joel!

  5. Been there, done that! In my previous business life in Atlanta, I had two offices – one for my real estate and mortgage company, and one for my magazine company.

    I know work from home as a solopreneur. I overlook the city of Orlando and beautiful lakes.

    I also have team members all over the world. Although I love the flexibility, I must say that I really miss having the “team” around me.

    It has been a major adjustment for me and has really negatively affected my productivity in the beginning. I’ve learned to adapt.

    Thanks for another great post, you big tease!

  6. To answer your question: yep, I work from home and I also love it. I downsized from 25 people to just me and my wife. Sometimes makes it harder to get things accomplished or to land bigger clients, so it has it’s drawbacks. But my 12 steps are about 12 steps down the hall to my office and that’s hard to beat!

  7. Great points Joel! After nearly two decades of public accounting and municipal finance (including that “little market upheaval” of 2007-2012)I decided to go from working in a $2 billion a year firm to a practicing solopreneur in our beautiful loft office overlooking the valley, river and city lights. In hindsight, it was astounding to discover just how much the work world had taken ahold of my very being over the last several years! When your spouse, children and friends tag-team confiscating all electronic devices to make sure they have your undivided attention for a few hours, it’s time to recapture what’s truly important in life. Now don’t get me wrong – I am still a geek and passionate about “all things finance and compliance”. Now I can focus on helping organizations in very specific areas where I have expertise AND provide great value…while delegating marketing, graphics and such things that hurt my head to dedicated team members who excel at them. Win, win. Wishing you the best!

  8. Hello Joel

    I was worried that you had gone into CA… Chocoholics Anonymous….Great post, with a great twist. I do work from home and have a small office near my home. I like running businesses my business from home.

    Vickie Helm

  11. Loved this! And love that I worked for you in Oklahoma. You taught me so much and I still use those skills and principles in my own business. I still count you as one of my most enjoyable employers. I have a very successful online business and I credit a lot of that to what u taught me.

  12. Hey Joel – I can relate. Just moved out of my off-site office last week and am enjoying my 12 steps too! I don’t know what it’s like in the U.S. but here in Canada, it costs a bundle to have employees. I had two and could’ve hired a stellar contractor for the amount I had to pay to the government for the privilege of having employees. Great to be out from under and back to the land of, “wearin’ my pajamas to work if I wanna”.

  13. Hi Joel.

    I know the foundation of your spiritual values, so am grateful for your striving to live out those beliefs. Thank you.

    I do have a question for you, though.

    We live in a world/country that values independence, success, doing your own thing, freedom from the evil corporate world, discontent with what we have, wanting to travel, spend more time with our children/grandchildren, live the good life… and on and on and on.

    These life messages dominate the internet marketing hype and the MLM (multi-level marketing hype). And thousands of unsuspecting people buy into the hope and waste a ton of time and money on rabbit trails.

    There are times I think you could have any even better business and spiritual impact just helping people say “no” to stuff like this. In other words a real spiritual 12 step program for the addiction all of have for success and money and stuff!

    Just my two cents worth. Keep up the good work and may God give you (and all of us) wisdom to discern between the hype and the real.

  14. Good thinking and smart decision, Joel.
    I’m just starting my business (at age 73 after a long carer in education and media)and work from home with a part-time general assistant and full-time outsourced VA (who does computer/Internet tasks and research.
    There is so much to learn and do while keeping family and self healthy. The pressure is to build a list, create, produce, promote, etc. while keeping a “balance”
    Not sure that’s possible but we do what we can, yes?

  15. Good Luck Joel in your new life. Sometimes we have to do a reset to go forward and that is pretty darn healthy!
    There is always something new around the corner for you and others who have that creative mind. It’s a matter of time.
    Sometimes it’s good to get away from this world and go into something totally different I do believe there is such a thing as marketing fatique for a lot of us. Any new recipes?

  16. Thanks for this great blog post. I have 2 people I hire via contract and have been thinking about getting a physical office as my needs grew. However, your post make me realize how good I have it right now: my own office: nobody interrupting me via phone calls and coming into my office for “got a minute” meetings. I know one other marketer who used to have up to 70 employees at one time and now works from home as well. And if I ever need some “social interaction” I just pack up my laptop and head over to Starbucks for an hour and a half.
    So thank you for sharing your experience as it solidified my own goals.

  17. Joel… I really relate with your ’12-step’ idea; I traveled your same route. At one point, I had some 80 on the payroll, after having started out by myself…making videos and commercials. My company gave the world the “Grizzly Adams” TV show back in the 70’s. It was our highest profile and the zenith of my frustrations! I ‘retired’ shortly thereafter. Then when DVD came along, I got excited again to be part of that new technology…and started building a new small business, again.

    In early 2002, I was accidentally introduced to ‘e-mini trading’. I knew immediately it was going to be my life henceforth. I had 12 employees at that time but two weeks later, I invited them to either follow me and learn how to trade e-minis, or, find new jobs. I took [your] 12 steps back down into my basement office and have been here ever since. Best decision I ever made; it’s the easiest and most stress-free way of making a 6-figure income I’ve ever seen..or could imagine.

    My main reason for sharing this with you is… the recent news that our Wounded Warriors: after all they’ve gone through and finally getting home to their loved ones, many are getting so discouraged at being burdens on them that they are committing suicide at the rate of some 20 a month! This news literally brought me to tears.

    It occurred to me that if I could introduce them to e-mini trading and help them get started, it could dispel all of their thoughts of suicide. Providing they have one hand capable of operating a mouse and are able to see a monitor, they could very well learn to trade e-minis successfully… and again, become the bread-winner for their families. I’ve created a special web site…hoping to be able to reach out to them: http://www.GreatJobForWoundedWarriors.com

    I’ve been helping people discover e-minis and trading them since 2003 through my book “Discover How To Trade E-minis for a Great Home Business”. Every wounded warrior that responds and contacts me will receive a FREE copy of my book and an invitation to several free webinars I will be doing for them to answer questions and illustrate things the book can’t.

    If there is any way that you could help me bring the web site to their attention, (or, anyone who may know a wounded vet, who might forward the URL) it would be greatly appreciated (by our warriors as well, I’m sure).

    The video on the website shows them what e-minis are and they can watch me trade…then contact me for a free copy of my book and the follow-up help I’m offering them.

    BTW…I have a couple of your books…and, had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with you a couple years ago at Ken’s JVAlert Live there in Denver. (I ran the video/audio equipment for Ken…for yours (and all) presentations.

    Hope you can help me reach out to our wounded warriors.
    Best regards,
    Mel Hardman
    [email protected]

  20. I didn’t really appreciate that email. I don’t know you personally and believed what you said in your email. I’m sure it’s getting you click throughs, but…

  21. I can totally relate to that.

    Whilst I have an online business that I run from home I also own 50% of a courier business that I am trying my best to do an exit deal from because of all the staff & other issues that come with it.
    I just want to remove all the stress & clutter that this business comes with so that I can concentrate solely on my online biz which is far more stimulating & exciting – not to mention all the scope & potential it offers

  22. Thanks for sharing, Joel! If we all can live more simply, we learn to enjoy what we have even more. Simplification allows us to appreciate that it isn’t how much we earn (providing basic necessities are met) as how we choose to live with what we have. And what price can you put on being less stressed and not having a heavy financial burden to manage? That’s priceless!

  23. OK, Joel & Lori…Now I have to find the important “12 Steps” in my life. I have a feeling it’s the steps from the front door of my office (that I LOVE) to my desk (that I can’t wait to work at!). It’s not a home office, but it was the catalyst to get me out of the home and into my own business. This has tremendous significance in the fact that I took a very bold move about 4 years ago and opened up a second business during a very tumultuous time in my life. I haven’t been able to quit my “day job” yet, but it’s listening to you and other leaders in Internet Marketing that will get me there. I am blessed in that I get to work part time in my “day job” and part time in the job I was meant to do in an office that feels truly like my second home. Thanks again for an inspiring podcast and inspiring blog post.

  24. Hello Joel:
    I read your 12 Step Plan and I understand why you made those steps. I also found a need to take drastic measures because of the difficulty involved in a one man show. I first noticed you in one of your campaign about speaking on cruise ship. It caught my attention because I had gone on a cruise to Nassau Bahamas. I had never traveled on a cruise ship. Your book showed me what to expect. Thanks.

  25. Thanks for sharing. I am a senior citizen and worked out of my spare bedroom in Loveland, CO till 2011 when I ended up in the hospital with numerous blood clots in both lungs. My health suffered, I lost clients, and downsized. My kids asked me to move to iowa to be close, which I did, but the apartment I found only had one bedroom. So, I downsized to making my living room my office. Was a scary move, but it has worked out just fine… and am recovering slow but sure and have many business plans…all out of my living room office! I give God most of the credit for guiding my steps.

  26. Venturing into the concept of contract labor, I’ve had a VA for a while now, added the 2nd VA about four years ago, now have 3 techs and 2 graphic artists, and 3 other “do it all” provocateurs. But I too like running randomly around the country and carrying my business in a tote bag. I can run it from my laptop and my phone. Working in “the cloud” is AMAZING.

  27. 17 years of working from my computer at home Joel, and 15 years before that running brick and mortar businesses. At this point I am completely unemployable!

    But really, I do get complacent at times. However all I have to do is watch people get up and go to work in the morning, drive an hour to work, 8 hours with a boss on their back, then another hour home?

    Heck Joel, for most of the last 17 years I did not even own a car. Lived in amazing places with everything I could need right across the street in Arizona. I own like two pairs of pants, rarely leave the house and spend year round in a Tshirt and shorts.

    I take a nap every day, have a home filled with more toys and Drones than I have time to play with and am thankful every day to be so blessed.

    Truly unemployable and proud of it!

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