It’s always interesting to me when someone says things like “It must be nice owning your own business… you have a flexible schedule and can do whatever you want.”

Now, I get what they’re trying to say. “As a business owner, you don’t have to request days off and then wait and hope they’ll get approved. And, as the owner you get the ‘final say’ for each and every decision.

But, anyone with some basic knowledge of how self-employment works knows that the life of a typical business owner isn’t as flexible and free-wheeling as it appears to the misinformed, casual observer. No, you can’t “turn it off” when you leave work. You take work with you wherever you go. And when you’ve “completely had it”, putting in your two-week notice isn’t an option. When you’re the owner, you’re responsible for everything… even the things you had nothing to do with. When you’re the owner, you own it. All of it.

So why do so many of us owners complain that things aren’t going well? That revenue isn’t high enough and expenses aren’t low enough? Why do we lament that our people aren’t doing their jobs properly? We’re all guilty of it, some more than others. It seems that some business owners have forgotten that it’s the business they lead and manage, the people they hired, and ultimately the contracts and checks they sign.

We all talk about how everyone needs to be more accountable. But shouldn’t we start that conversation with ourselves? If you’re struggling with the way your business is going right now, the good news is that you can do something about it. The bad news is it will require some tough decisions, a ton of courage, and an even stronger will to make the necessary changes.

It’s your business, isn’t it time you truly own it?