As I was reading this week, I can across this speech that had inspired me once before. I find that often in our society, our actions are based on keeping others happy. But are we keeping the right people happy?

When I was first recruited into the corporate world, I was so naive. I did not realize that the recruiter was “selling” me on the position I was about to take. They completely glossed over the negative aspects. When I told them that I would be getting married a few months after starting, they seemed to be very supportive and told me that I would be able to manage everything, no problem.

Then reality set it. I knew that getting started would entail long hours, but then I found out that I was expected to work during evenings and Saturday mornings as well. When I submitted a vacation request for my wedding and honeymoon, I was told that I hadn’t earned my vacation time yet and would only get 4 days off! I found out that many of the people I worked with had experienced divorces and separations due to the long hours.

At the time, the opportunity of that position seemed worth it. But several years later, I realized that I was living someone else’s values and goals. So I left and have been much happier ever since.

Even now, as I have founded The Yogipreneur, I find myself getting sucked into the demands of others. I am constantly reminding myself that this is my business, I control my time and the pace at which I decide to grow. And most of all – that the business is a part of my life plan – and that my husband and family will always come first.

I am sharing this because I find that people often start businesses or stay in a business for the wrong reason. While all business owners experience working long hours and reduced income, if this is beginning to strain relationships with your spouse, family, or friends – it is time to re-evaluate.

Before starting a business, there are some things you need to consider:

• How will this business help you achieve your personal goals?
• Have you created a business plan including an analysis of your market, marketing plan, financial projections, and operating budget?
• Are you financially able to shoulder the expenses of running a business?
• Do you have a support system, spouse, family, and friends, who will help you when things get tough?

Some realities of being a yoga business owner:

• You will work long hours.
• You will will not get paid for awhile. It’s called sweat equity.
• It will cost more than you think to open your business.
• You will have unexpected costs/issues arise.
• It takes most businesses up to three years to break-even.
• Over 80% of yoga studios fail in the first couple years.
• Most studios operate on less than an 18% profit margin.

Starting June 1, 2009, The Yogipreneur will begin posting articles that will help you to start or grow a business. The right information and planning can make or break a business.

But most importantly – starting a business for the right reasons and with the support of your loved ones – will make it much easier to forge ahead when the times get tough.

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Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them – work, family, health, friends and spirit … and you’re keeping all of these in the air.

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or evenshattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for Balance in your life.

How?

Don’t undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Don’t set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.

Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

Don’t let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

Don’t give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us to each together.

Don’t be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be pave.

Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it’s impossible to find time. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings!

Don’t run through life so fast that you forget not only where you’ve been, but also where you are going.

Don’t forget, a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.

Don’t be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.

Don’t use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each step of the way…

–Brian G. Dyson

President and CEO, Coca-Cola Enterprises during his speech at the Georgia Tech 172nd Commencement Address Sept. 6, 1996