Is your business in control? Take this first step
by Eli Shine
By the time you notice that your business in control of your time, it is not too late to regain that control.
You are talented, you had a great business idea – and I want to congratulate you for taking that idea and making it happen!
Whatever level your business is at, you had the belief in your dream, took the action and got to work – and you certainly deserve credit for that.
I want to ask you a couple of questions.
- Why did you go into business?
- What did you really want out of it? Anything else?
- What would that actually give you?
The answers to these questions are what motivated you to get started, and will motivate you to go further.
Yet, so many small business owners that I have met seem stuck.
They can’t see how to realize their dream of a successful business AND a great life.
Do any of these sound familiar?
- “So much to do ! I reach the end of the day completely wiped, and so often I don’t even feel I have made much progress.”
- “I started my business so that I would have more freedom, but I feel I NEVER have enough time for my family.”
- “When the phone rings I have to answer it, but my wife really resents it.”
Those quotes all have one thing in common.
All management, (time, business, people etc.) means exercising an appropriate level of control.
The quotes above are examples of how small business owners can so easily lose control of their time, and with it, their life.
Let’s be honest, if you don’t control the events in your life, you’ve got to admit that they control you!
We all have way more control than we think
BUT – it doesn’t have to be that way! We all have way more control than we think.
You can start to take back some of that control right now.
Wherever you are in your business and life, you can benefit from this exercise.
- Think of one of the really important parts of your business that is not getting the time and attention it needs
- Figure out the minimum amount of time you would need in order to make a small amount of progress in this area (usually 15-45 minutes is plenty)
- Decide how many times a week you can commit to doing this minimum time and on which days
- Make an appointment with yourself to do this item on the days that you have designated. Put this appointment into your diary. Treat it like you would an appointment with someone important. All distractions off! (It is with the most important person in your life – and doing one of the most vital aspects of your business)
- COMMIT to keeping your appointments no matter what (reschedule the time on occasion if you must – but get them done!)
- Bonus – if you really want to make this happen, make a chart of the next month with a space to check off each occasion you have committed to doing this item – remember what gets measured improves (what doesn’t … )
- Look back and enjoy the massive benefits!
