A Lesson Learned From The Book "The E-Myth"
Since 1985, there has been one book that has become something along the lines of scripture for many entrepreneurs. That book is "The E-Myth" by Michael E. Gerber. While the book was originally focused on business systemization in the world or brick and mortar companies, subsequent editions have included data that is inclusive of the world of Internet commerce. However, many of the ideas and strategies outlined in the original edition are just as relevant to online businesses as the more traditional ones that function with physical facilities.
The phrase "e-myth" is short for the Entrepreneurial Myth, which is easily one of the main reasons businesses of any type fail. Basically, this myth holds that if someone is an expert in a particular field, he or she should have no trouble setting up a successful business. After all, they have the vision, right?
Gerber systemically dissects this myth and lays it out for the fallacy it truly is. Within the pages of "The E-Myth" there are many lessons to learn that can help a fledgling business owner, or even someone who wants to start a business, to avoid a lot of ideas and situations that ultimately lead to failure. However, there is one core lesson that you should take away from Gerber's work, if nothing else in the book sticks with you.
That one lesson is to not work in your business, but to work on your business.
But what does that mean? Is Gerber urging business owners to be detached from the business, allowing others to handle everything as he or she blithely goes in whatever direction they wish to go?
Not at all. The point Gerber is making is that the true entrepreneur sets up a system that is able to allow the business to function efficiently, and with the full participation of the business owner. But, the business owner is not bogged down in having to take care of so many different tasks that there is no room left to grow (or work on) the business.