I’ll get to the title in a minute.  First, I must start by saying that I love to hit the floor running hard every day in the quest for business.  I also love to end the day exhausted, spent, without anything left to give.  Family and friends have told me there’s only one thing worse than me when I’m running across the landscape at a full gallop … and that’s when I am adrift, temporarily without goals or a reason to knuckle down. 

Yes, I know, I’m the poster child for political incorrectness:  No hobbies (I see them as time wasters between days in the harness), and if you give me a day without a to-do list, I’m a restless bear.  (And, no, I don’t tinker or have a big tool chest, though I love to cook, fish on occasion, and travel … often combining business and pleasure.)   

Time off?  You bet.  I’m active and serious about my church and my faith.  Ditto for my friends, my lady love (woof!) and my children.  I also get about an hour of exercise in most days. 

So, sorry, but I was never a neglectful parent or companion.  I just love to squeeze every possible bit of life and profit out of each and every minute.  (I’ve been told – and this by those who love me – that after an hour or two with me, people need to take a break and take aspirin.  But they always come back, bless their hearts.)  It’s just that my quest has never been leisure or measuring my life by two weeks’ vacation a year.

So, why apologize to my children?  Well, because they caught what I have.  My son, Jonathan, is a hard-driving attorney who made partner at age 35 and loves to put in long hours.  (He is also in top five contention for father and husband of the year.)  My middle child, Nicky, is about 33 (those ages keep changing every year), a doctor, and in her final year of residency, who has a love-hate relationship with those wild, 48-hour shifts.  My baby, Angie, is a cosmetologist, mother of two and wife of one, who runs two hairstyling shifts (one her own business), and has a third business on the side (and yes, she, is a devoted, loving, gentle mother). 

So, with a ton of pride (and a dash of pity … nah, not really), I guess I should apologize to my children for cursing them with the gift of work.  Then again, nah!  I’m proud of them.  Great kids … though I do have to schedule visits with them a month in advance. 

So, work hard.  Make money.  Have fun.  We only have one life.  Get to it! 

John Ingrisano

The Freestyle Entrepreneur

204 Lakeview Drive

Algoma, WI 54201

(920) 559-3722

 February 10, 2010

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