Q: My business is taking a personal toll, and I'm not sure I want to be “the boss” anymore. How do I decide to throw in the towel and work for someone else?

A: First, you have to be 100% clear regarding what you really want and don't want. Being both “the boss” of a successful business and having an outrageous personal life are possible, but you have to really want them both. Ask yourself the following questions and answer them honestly:

  • What do I want and by when do I want it?
  • Whose help do I need to ask for in order to get it?
  • Who do I need to train so I can have it all?

    • Next, write the plan. Assuming you want to be “the boss” and have a satisfying personal life, not having enough time to have them both is often a result of not having a written plan, being a “lone ranger,” and not being 100% committed to attaining what you say you want.

    So before you throw in the towel: What do you say you want? And keep in mind that the only right answer is the one that comes straight from your heart. No matter what the answer is, write a plan, ask for help, and then live the plan with unstoppable commitment to teach, teach, teach and find your replacement. —Clay Nelson is a business coach to contractors nationwide, www.cjenterprises.com.