It always seems like time is the enemy. You aren’t making enough money because you can’t seem to get everything done? There is too much “to do” and not enough time.
I hear this scenario all of the time from entrepreneurs. I woke up motivated, Malla. I had a PLAN! A few marketing tasks. Some sales calls. And a list of operational tasks. I knew it was going to happen. But I fell off after:
- one too long visit with my accountant and a reminder about taxes
- a no call/no voicemail prospect who told me she was interested but has ignored all of my calls
- and the three hours I spent messing around with that plug-in which still isn’t working on my website.
I get it! But you don’t have a time management problem. You haven’t even scratched the surface. The real problem is
you haven’t embraced your business value.
What’s the value your business creates?
And why does that matter to your clients?
Take a step back and examine the big picture of your business. Why do people have an easier life, better life, more enjoyable life because you exist? What do you provide that is special?
Now, OWN it.
When you own the fact that your business provides a service for others that improves their life, you’ll push through the feelings of fear, anxiety, tasks you don’t like and people you don’t like. Because you know you are a making difference.
But when you don’t own it, it’s easy to hide when things get rough. Or don’t go the way that you like.
Consider one of my heroes in this area. Single Moms. Ask any single Mom what her rasion d’être is. It’s to raise her kids. Doesn’t matter if she is rich, poor, lives in the suburbs or the urban jungle. She has one mission in life. Love, protect and guide her babies.
And when she deals with hurdles, she doesn’t give up. She can’t. She keeps pushing to figure out another solution or strategy. For example, if her babysitter is a “no show” and she needs to go to work, she will keep calling everyone in her phone directory until she finds childcare. Might not always be easy. She might have to call that friend for the 100th time. But a no show is not going to stop her day.
And yes, I know that it is not easy work. I can identify this pattern of blaming a lack of time because I have been guilty of it myself. Didn’t get last month’s sales numbers? Blame it on “fill in the blank”. But I know it was probably because I didn’t stay focused on my mission – to serve micro business owners who want to earn their worth. Whenever these moments come up, I step back and get honest with why I am procrastinating.
And there is research showing it’s a real concept. Check out this great article on Forbes.com which gives more insights.
So find your power. Why is your business important to others? Shift your focus from you to the value that your business provides. Spend some time digging deep into this question. You might be surprised at what you are really offering your clients – and how valuable it is. Get REAL clear on why your business matters. And stay focused on it.
Take-away – Write the business value on a sticky note. Put it in several visible places in your house, car, and others spaces. And brush your shoulder off when you are teased about your 600 notes. You are on purpose, my friend!
