A few years ago I was talking to a dentist about whether or not he should open up a third office. His business was growing fast, and it seemed like the logical thing to do. I asked him "what do you want to be, a dentist or the CEO of a large dental practice?" He looked at me and said "You know, I've never thought about that." Most consultants start the conversation with their clients by asking what they want their business to look like in 5 years. I start by asking what they want their lives to look like in 5 years. Its a lot easier to figure out how to maximize the value of a business within the context of life goals if you do it early. Don't wake up one day feeling trapped and miserable in a successful business.
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