What is the life and business that you want? And what is it going to take to get that. I tell business owners all the time: we spend tons on house plans and designing our homes down to the last detail. Our businesses? Not so much.

What does designing your ideal business look like?

I want to work 3 days a week

I want to charge fairly but I want those I’m helping to be comfortably able to afford my solutions. I am more concerned about actually getting results. And it must be more about the results they want versus what I want for them.

I don’t want employees although I welcome collaborations.

I love earning my keep but never at the expense of who I am.

If you feel as if you’ve painted yourself into a corner, if you aren’t happy anymore with the choices you’re making, if you see the business as a job you own, don’t despair.

Hit the pause button – perhaps for just one hour if you can’t spare anymore time – and think about what you want.

Think about these wise words from a seasoned business owner, who has designed her life and business in the world according to her:

Every single client I have ever worked with had a different set of wants and needs. And a different set of constraints on what was possible for them based on their specific business and circumstances. Why on earth would you follow anyone who has a one-size-fits-all approach to any part of your work or your income goals (no matter how sexy all those zeroes look in the facebook ad)? ILLANA BURK