#69: The Reason My Private Investigation Business isn’t Growing – How I Define Freedom

Freedom.  What does that word mean to you?  Do you define freedom the same way I do?

Everyone defines freedom in their lives differently. Some private investigators or business owners, in general, want a large company with many employees as they believe this will allow them to have personal freedom and security. Over time it might just do that.  Many individuals work hard for the big house, nice cars, and fancy toys.  Many call it the “American Dream”.  At this point in my life, I have defined freedom for myself a bit differently.  Let me explain.

To be honest, over the past year I knew what I was doing but I just didn’t label it until I saw a video from Adam Baker from Man Vs. Debt.  I wasn’t intentionally looking for the video but I connected with the message.  Adam defined what freedom meant to him and has had a wonderful journey with his family over the past several years.  He wasn’t bogged down by stuff and was, and still is able to live on his terms.

“Living on your own terms”.  It has a nice ring to it don’t you think?

I don’t have complete freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want.  I don’t know that I will ever have that freedom.

Being self-employed as a private investigator has allowed me to make more money in less time.  It has also allowed me to make my own schedule instead of my schedule being dictated for me by an employer.  And because of these two things I get to spend more time with my wife and children which is how I define freedom.  I want to spend as much time with my children while they are young and want to spend time with me.

Why My Business Isn’t Growing

The simple answer to why my private investigation business isn’t growing is that I am not allowing it to do so.  I am the reason I don’t have more clients and the reason I am a one-man show.

Growing my business at the moment takes more time then I have or am willing to give.  I am content.  My business is not growing nor is it dying. I say dying because many will have you believe that if you are not growing your business your business is dying, and I don’t believe this to be true.

This lack of growth with my company is a conscious choice.  I am the only thing holding back the growth of my business.

Let’s not forget about the Private Investigator Advice Blog or Videos that I make or the Private Investigator Advice Podcast.  I do write for some other blogs as well but this blog was the first and typically gets more of my attention.

This doesn’t mean I have stopped continuing to building relationships in the industry or don’t take advantages of various opportunities that present themselves.  I just enjoy the freedom that this job has allowed me to have at this point in my career.

So to sum up why my business isn’t growing it’s because I define freedom as spending more time with my wife and children and I see growth at this point as a threat to that freedom.

How do you Define your Freedom?

The way you define freedom might be completely different from the way I define it and that is great.  If you are living and working within the definition you have provided for yourself you are likely a happier person as a result.

Take a look at Adam Bakers TED Talk presentation below.  You might connect with this video like I did.