Becoming a Father: How Having a Baby Changed My Life and My Business

This article shares a personal journey of how fatherhood transformed a CEO's perspective on his business and life. Initially, the author, a founder, was hesitant to share this experience, as he believed it was exploitative to talk about how having a baby changed his perspective on business. However, after welcoming his son, Emmitt, he discovered a profound impact on his leadership and entrepreneurial approach.

The Initial Hesitation and Change of Heart

The author initially felt uncomfortable with the idea of writing about how having a baby changed his perspective on business. He saw it as exploiting the baby for clicks and page views and believed it was cheap and wrong to present a baby as a "life hack" for productivity. However, his perspective shifted dramatically after the birth of his son.

• Initially, the first few weeks were demanding and required him to step back from his business. He struggled to juggle both sides of his life.
• Upon returning to work, he realized the truth behind the statements he initially dismissed. He discovered that having a baby did have a positive impact on his entrepreneurial mindset and effectiveness.
• The author acknowledges and apologizes to those he doubted in the past, emphasizing that he understands their skepticism, as he was once in their shoes. He hopes that others will eventually gain similar valuable lessons from the experience.

Four Ways Having a Baby Made Me a Better Founder

The article outlines four key areas where fatherhood had a significant impact on the author's entrepreneurial journey:

1) Time Management

The constant interruptions and demands of a newborn disrupted the author's previous schedule. He found himself pulled away from work to attend to the baby's needs, which initially caused stress and fear of falling behind.

• These distractions, however, ultimately led to a more focused and efficient work style.
• The insignificant distractions of the past, like checking social media or emails, were replaced by more important ones, forcing him to prioritize and focus on essential tasks.
• The author learned to leverage the limited time he had for work effectively, leading to deeper focus and productivity.

2) Resilience

The author, accustomed to a specific sleep schedule, found himself adapting to the fragmented sleep patterns of a newborn. He discovered a hidden strength and learned to operate effectively despite sleep deprivation.

• The experience demonstrated the ability to endure physical challenges and adapt to a disrupted schedule. The author learned that he could operate effectively even when faced with unexpected limitations.
• The author learned to appreciate the value of sleep when he was able to get it, but also developed confidence in his ability to perform under less-than-ideal conditions.

3) Patience

Having a baby highlighted the importance of patience, as the child grows and develops at their own pace. The author realized that this concept applies to business growth as well. Both babies and businesses need time, nurturing, and support to reach their full potential.

• The author learned to let go of the pressure to control every aspect of his business and embrace the natural rhythm of growth.
• He gained a deeper understanding of the need for patience and learned to trust the process, allowing his business to grow organically.

4) Perspective

The author emphasizes the importance of perspective, highlighting how both birth and death can offer profound insights into life and priorities. The experience of having a baby reinforced his realization that many things he considered important were actually insignificant.

• The author learned to prioritize and focus on what truly matters, recognizing the importance of his son's needs and the preciousness of time.
• The author acknowledged the tendency to lose perspective and revert to old routines after life-changing events. He consciously strives to maintain this new perspective and not lose sight of what truly matters.

Applying This to Your Business

The author urges entrepreneurs not to fear the impact of having a baby on their business. While there are challenges, it can also lead to significant growth and improvement.

• Having a baby is not a life hack for business success, but the skills and insights gained from the experience can be applied to enhance entrepreneurial effectiveness.
• The author encourages those considering starting a family not to fear the potential impact on their business. Instead, embrace the challenges and use them as an opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Conclusion: Balancing Family and Business

This article emphasizes that entrepreneurs can balance growing their family and growing their business. It highlights the lessons learned from fatherhood, emphasizing that these experiences can make entrepreneurs more resilient, patient, and focused. The author encourages readers to embrace the challenges of family life and find ways to apply the insights gained to their businesses.