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In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, the pursuit of success often seems synonymous with ambition. Yet, upon further examination, this notion appears to be only half true. Instead, the pursuit of success is about striking the right balance between aspirations and contentment — a balance that Dan Kent, a seasoned executive coach, has dubbed “blissful ambition.”
Founder of Best Self Coaching, Kent’s coaching philosophy revolves around the premise that true success stems from the harmonious coexistence of two seemingly paradoxical concepts: ambition and bliss. While ambition propels individuals to strive for change and improvement, bliss fosters contentment and gratitude for the present moment, as things are.
One might wonder how to navigate this intricate dance between the desire for growth and the appreciation of what already exists. For Kent, the answer lies in mastering the fundamentals of self-management, organizational skills, and deep self-awareness — a journey he guides his clients through with precision and care. With a background in accounting and finance, Kent assists his clients in mastering these skills, along with gratitude practice, financial literacy, and other powerful disciplines.
At the core of Kent’s coaching approach is the recognition that many business owners and entrepreneurs grapple with foundational challenges, such as time management, organization, and self-discipline. These are the building blocks upon which sustainable success is built.
Kent’s curriculum, which he calls the “Clearing Obstacles: A Business Roadmap,” serves as a comprehensive guide to addressing these fundamental hurdles. From self-management techniques to financial literacy, each module is meticulously designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive.
One key aspect of Kent’s methodology is the concept of a “time budget.” Through this exercise, entrepreneurs gain clarity on their priorities and the finite nature of time. By allocating time strategically and realistically, they avoid overcommitment and burnout — a common pitfall in the entrepreneurial journey.
“Business owners are some of the most ambitious people in the world. But they have 48 different things that they want to do, and they stretch themselves across all 48,” explains Kent.
With his time budget exercise, Kent helps his clients identify all the aspirations they have in their lives and the amount of time they should dedicate to each every week. For instance, if someone desires to spend 8 hours a week with their children, allocate 7 hours per night for sleep, and work 8 hours per day, Kent guides them through the process of tallying up these and their other commitments.
“We add it all up, and they have 190 hours worth of stuff, but there are only 168 hours in a week. So we often find that they set themselves up to fail, and they never even realized that was the case,” Kent elaborates. This discrepancy leaves a lot of entrepreneurs feeling frustrated, stuck, and discontented with their lives.
In essence, the time budget exercise serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for realistic goal-setting and time management. By gaining clarity on their priorities and acknowledging the finite nature of time, entrepreneurs can avoid overcommitment and cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling life by reconciling that reality.
Kent emphasizes the psychological aspect of this process, noting, “Most folks are very set in their ways and they think they want to change, but they really don’t. They want things to very much stay the same.” This insight underscores the importance of behavioral psychology in creating meaningful change.
He delves further into the logistics of self-management, advocating for the adoption of practices such as The 5:00 AM Club or the concept of The Miracle Morning (books written by authors Robin Sharma and Hal Elrod). “Own the morning, own the day,” he urges. Setting aside at least 90 minutes each day to proactively create your agenda ensures that you are not merely reactive to external stimuli but are actively steering your life toward your desired outcomes.
Moreover, Kent stresses the significance of fundamentals such as email management and productivity methodologies like David Allen’s Getting Things Done and other hybrid methods. These practices not only enhance efficiency but also foster a sense of control and mastery over one’s responsibilities.
Beyond individual self-management, Kent emphasizes the importance of creating values and culture within organizations. Creating a “company blueprint” as the name implies, is also key to long-term success.
“A lot of entrepreneurs have a broad idea of what they’re trying to accomplish, but it’s important to get into the logistics of that concept. So what are your objectives? How will you break down a goal into subgoals, key results, and milestones? A systematized organization works like a machine: every cog turns another cog, which turns a wheel, which makes the whole function work,” he says.
Kent believes that if you don’t have an organizational chart to articulate that for yourself and your people, there’s “no way you’re ever going to be able to make that mechanism function properly.”
To learn more about how business coach Dan Kent can help you elevate your business and life, visit his website and schedule an appointment today.
