The hippies house (5/3/25)

Recently we took a trip to Northern California.

While we were there, we visited a dear friend.

Her name is Janie.

Now in her seventies, she and her husband are true hippies.

Peace, love, rock and roll, complete with tie dye curtains and smell of eternal green.

Janie is an interesting woman. She loves people and she loves food.

When we spend time at Janie's house, we always come back with new ways of cooking, new ways to see the world, and a softer view of this thing called life.

I got to thinking….what if we could see our business in a new way and create a different view of what is means to be successful?

I have found that many business owners:

Are chasing business, constantly having to be attached to their phone 24/7 just to make the next sale. 

Are concerned about the shifting market could at any moment crush their business. 

Are unable delegate, that no one can do it as good as them. 

Are sacrificing relationships at the expense of the business.

This used to be me, until I discovered a better way.

The frameworks come straight from the hippie's house, and they are just as true today as they were fifty years ago.

Here are three tactical steps you can take to optimize your business, and create a better way of life.

First, business relationships matter.

"You are just one relationship away from changing your life" - author unknown.

Relationships are the backbone of your business.  

Relationships with your clients. 

Relationships with your partners. 

Relationships with your team.

What if you were to set a goal to build five new relationships over the next five weeks?

Is it a phone call or text that you have been thinking about making?

Make the call.

Is it an event you are thinking of attending?

Attend the event and shake five new hands.

Is it the client relationship system you are missing?

Block off time on your calendar and build the system.

Is is a mentor you are seeking?

Look around you and simply reach out to that person, like Janie, that is one step ahead of you in life.

When you make relationships a priority, doors you cannot even see yet begin to open.

Second, keep the promises to yourself and others.

The one thing about a hippie is that they rank loyalty as one of their life's pillars.

They keep their promises to themselves as others.

If Janie promises a new recipe to a friend, she is sure to deliver.

She shows up.

She is on time.

She reads religiously every morning.

She delivers on her promises.

When was the last time you challenged yourself to keep your promises to yourself and others?

Maybe it is dedicating that hour of time each day to deep work.

Maybe it is showing up on time, and prepared, for every meeting.

Maybe it is quitting that habit (drinking, smoking) sooner vice later.

Maybe it is shutting your phone off and being present with your family.

Keep the promises to yourself and others.

Third, never sacrifice personal relationships for business.

There is a caveat to this.

There are seasons where a business leader must triple down on their business, sacrificing in the short term.

There are seasons where long hours are required. Travel may be required. Meetings at all times of the day to secure the deal.

But, when you are on your deathbed, you will realize that money has lost its shine.

Money is simply a tool to allow you to build your best life.

Now back to relationships.

Are you prioritizing focused time with your children?

Are you setting aside time for your spouse or partner?

Are you regularly reaching out to your five closest friends?

(Can you name those people?)

Are you investing time in your team?

You may or may not know that my husband has terminal cancer in his brain.

Fortunately he is now at year five, and is exceeding doctor's expectations.

(He is considered an anomaly)

When he was first diagnosed with a mass in his brain, and was bedridden three week's later, it caused a permanent shift in my priorities. I knew a different way of conducting business was necessary.

Now, five years later, him and I never miss a weekly date night.

We prioritize dedicated time together in concert with required work hours.

I am the sole provider in my household but by using leverage, systems, and waking up early, it frees me up to never neglect the most important relationships in my life.

I don't pretend to know what your pain point is.

But I do know that even a highly successful entrepreneur, business professional or real estate professional likely has pain under the surface.

Take a few minutes this week to reflect on your relationships.

What is one step you can take to improve your relationships for the long term?

What is one step you can do today to forgive yourself for a broken relationship?

This will be different for everyone.  

That's ok. 

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step" - Lau Tzu

1. Relationships matter 

2. Keep promises to yourself and others 

3. Never sacrifice relationships for business

The hippie's house. 

Powerful lessons on life and business.