Phil Willcox from Emotion at Work reflects on the three choices he makes each week to balance his business needs, personal boundaries and emotions
It sometimes feels like you’re constantly choosing between one thing or another. Both options are useful and productive, and both deliver valuable outcomes. But they are still a choice.
In or on?
Working in the business means collaborating with our (IMHO) fantastic clients. This often involves sticky notes, large flip chart pads, Sharpies, scented pens, tangle toys and plenty of tea.
Working on the business is about setting us up for future success. This can mean spending time with our (IMHO) brilliant team – whether in one-to-ones, team meetings, project updates, or simply fun and frivolous connection conversations. It also involves reviewing our product portfolio, analysing performance, gathering insights from the people we work with, conducting research, marketing, communicating with clients (current and prospective), and business planning.
Work in too much, and you miss opportunities to learn and improve; honestly, the team might leave! Work on too much, and you risk not bringing in enough revenue to sustain the business.
I remind myself: I’ve been here before. We’ve grown by all metrics for four years running
At Emotion at Work, we need at least £15,000 in monthly revenue to ensure everyone gets paid. There’s no profit, though – that’s just keeping the lights on.
Lots of in work feels great! It’s also really risky. Lots of on work feels great! It’s also really risky.
So, weekly I need to choose: In or on?
Me or the business?
This second choice is just as challenging, shaped by the mix of excitement, anxiety, frustration and joy that the first choice fuels. Working (both in and on) never ends. There’s always something to do that adds value.
But I risk burning out, neglecting my family, making unhealthy choices and losing sleep. That’s where boundaries become vital. I don’t always stick to them, but without boundaries, disaster looms. My current rules: exercise once a week, eat with the family four times a week, and no work between 20:00 and 08:00
This boundary-setting also extends to friendships. Many of my friends are from online connections, which often means travelling to places like London, Manchester, Newcastle or York to see them. If there’s no client work involved, it’s a cost in terms of time and money to see folk. If I don’t see folk, I feel disconnected and lonely.
So weekly I need to choose: In or on? Me or the business?
Panic or confidence?
I’m probably oversimplifying, as there are other emotions involved. But knowing that you and your team must bring in £15,000 this month and we’re only on £5,000 by the end of week three – it’s hard. I’ve discussed this with the team. I used to feel the crushing weight of thoughts like: Their livelihoods, careers, and futures depend on my ability to generate cash.
The team reminded me I was taking away their agency and (IMHO, selfishly) making it all about me. They choose to be here, and I need to trust that we’re all working towards the same goals! I’m lucky to have my team.
I do still struggle with the uncertainty. I generally know how much revenue we’ll generate over the next four to six weeks. Beyond that, we have plans, prospects and opportunities – but nothing concrete. Contracts can be cancelled, prospects can choose other companies, and opportunities can disappear. It’s not like when I was salaried. Even now, 13 years in, I can choose to panic.
But I remind myself: I’ve been here before. We’ve grown by all metrics for the last four years in a row, I can choose to be confident.
So, weekly I need to choose. In or on? Me or the business? Panic or confidence?
There’s other stuff I can share about planes, trains, automobiles and hotels – but they are all inconsequential really. Three choices each week: In or on? Me or the business? Panic or confidence? That’s my week.
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Phil Willcox is Founder of Emotion at Work and the UK affiliate for Kirkpatrick Partners
