Want to boost your cash flow? Start with these 2 tips

Ready for big things this year in your business? Yes! Whether you want to finally get started or you know it’s time to earn more money, I’ve got two tips to get you started:

1. Step into the CEO shoes. Stop thinking like a freelancer.
2. Work your plan. I mean, crush your plan.  Work that business plan ’til it screams because you nailed your goals

I understand that these two tips are not easy.  When you are in the trenches daily, it’s easier to focus on putting out fires.  For example:

• Should you test out the newest social media app that promises a gazillion followers?
• Or should buy the newest technology designed to save you hours doing (fill in the blank)?
• Or are you dealing with clients who pay for 2 hours but want 20 hours of service?
• And of course there is always the administration and finances – taxes, bookkeeping, paperwork, etc.

I challenge you to think differently this year.  Embrace these ideas.  Spend 15 min every day on these two tips.  Your bank account will thank you at the end of the year.

1. You are the CEO, my friend.  Not the paid for hire freelancer.  

Too many business owners try to do it all.  You can’t.  And it often shows up in your sales…or lack thereof.

So consider, stepping into the big shoes of a CEO.  I don’t care what title you use on your business cards.  You are a CEO.  You are the leader for your business.  Embrace this idea and watch your business shift for the better.

How do you make the shift?

First, a CEO doesn’t try to do all of the work themselves.  They focus on the overall strategy, goals, and then find great people to deliver the final results.

I’m clear that you might not be in the position to hire an entire staff right now.  But start thinking from that position.

1. Don’t tackle your email when you start the day.  Email = other people’s priorities.  Start first with the big goal you need to tackle for the day.
2. Start creating processes and plans so that it’s easier to share how you want something done ….when you can hire help and/or outsource tasks.
3. Stop thinking like the Maker/Doer.  You don’t want to try to do everything.  Start asking yourself: How does this help my overall business? Some tasks might not get done.  Others will get moved to the top of the list.  Good!  You’ll start focusing more on the things that bring in sales.  Even if you struggle temporarily keeping up with all of the details. (*Of course until you can hire help!)
4. Ask for help.  Can’t hire someone full time?  Consider part time?  Can’t afford an assistant for the month?  Hire them for 10-15 hours to get started.

Challenge yourself to keep ramping up your CEO savvy.  You want to move from survival mode into the operating your business as the CEO/Leader.

2.  Execute your plan

I know it ain’t easy. There are a TON of distractions.  And that’s just in the first 10 minutes when you wake up.

But you need results.

It’s not enough to sit down for a vision board day at the beginning of the year. That’s a great way to start.

• But how do you measure what is working and what is not working for the year?
• And how do you understand where you spend your most valuable resource – your time?

You need to focus on EXECUTION.  There is a the big difference between an idea and actually making money from the idea.  Taking action and following through is often the missing link.

I encourage you to start out by writing it all down.  Take a day to brainstorm your goals for the year. Can’t think that far ahead?  Start with three months or six months.

And if you want a simple plan to get you started, check out my one page business plan

Get someone to poke holes in your plan.  Get the advice of a mentor/business coach.  Find out the best way to get your goals accomplished.  You want someone who has tried similar strategies and can tell you the best way to fast track the goal.

And be responsible for taking action. Every. Single. Day.

Yes, some days will be easier than others.

But staying focused on your goals will produce the results.  It takes discipline.

Yeah.  The “D” word.

But it’s a powerful, powerful FREE tool that will net you some serious rewards.

So I’m toasting to your successes this year!  Share any success stories that arise from testing out these ideas in the comments!!