Finding your rhythm as CEO and entrepreneur is an ever-evolving balance of managing business, personal life, and people. Here's how I (try to) manage it on a weekly basis:
Monday Madness: The week kicks off with a flurry of meetings. First, I review the sales pipeline. Then, we dive deep into our weekly planning meetings to agree on what we want to accomplish and what we'll do to get there. Then, I have a few one-on-ones, set and communicate leadership priorities, oversee marketing reviews, and welcome any new team members.
Tuesday to Thursday Hustle: These days are dedicated to engaging with clients and prospects. I conduct more one-on-ones, discuss win plans by market or partner, and conduct deal reviews. On these days, I hope to be doing my heavy lifting as CEO, building relationships and making progress toward goals.
Focused Fridays: I wrap up the week with a focus on our offerings, more one-on-ones, and account reviews. If possible, I try to end the day early to recharge.
Weekend Recharge: Like the evenings, weekends are for family with a mix of relaxation and adventure. At least once a month, we try to explore a new city, visit our kids at college, or enjoy time with friends. That said, work always is on my mind.
Am I in a lot of meetings? Yes, but we ensure every meeting has a clear purpose, starts and ends on time, and wraps up early if objectives are met. Occasionally, there are project fires to fight, but thankfully, those moments are rare. Meetings are where relationships deepen, collaborative magic is generated, and big things happen.
I'm a people person. The person-to-person work — collaborating with the awesomely awesome Infinitivians and meeting clients/prospects — are my strength and a highlight of my week. By spending time with people, I learn about the cutting-edge work we're doing for our clients and how we can sharpen our skills to better consult on the issues clients face today. I also learn what drives and motivates my team so we can better serve clients.
Through it all, the most important part of finding balance is right mindset. I strive to make every meeting and event enjoyable. I'm serious about hitting our goals, but don't take myself too seriously. I want everyone to enjoy working with me and for Infinitive.
As a CEO and entrepreneur, things are always in a state of change. You'll never "arrive" at the perfect balance, so make sure you have fun while you stay on your toes.