As business owners there are so many things we’re supposed to do, have to do and want to do. We know we’re supposed to be actively marketing our businesses and staying on top of all the new marketing trends. We’re supposed to be networking and making sure 
that our pipeline, funnel or whatever you want to call it stays full. We’re supposed to create new products and programs so that our material stays fresh and we continue to expand our reach. We’re supposed to take care of ourselves and make sure that we’re balancing our lives with our businesses. And of course, we’re supposed to earn income. Just thinking about it all is exhausting…forget doing it!
Here’s what I know to be true…when you try to do too many things, nothing gets done.
So here’s what I suggest…
- Take a look at what’s going on in your business and life and identify your one primary goal. More clients? More income? Writing a book? Spreading your influence? More time for self care? More time with your friends and family?
- Look over your to-do list and circle the activities that directly support that one goal.
- Now take it further and highlight the one activity that will bring you closest to your goal.
- Look at the one thing that you have highlighted. What are the first few steps you can take to do it and when will you take those steps?
- Okay, now here’s the tricky part. You know all of the other things that you’re supposed to be doing? Cross them off. Focus your attention on the most important things that support your personal goals.
I know what you’re thinking …
You’re thinking, sure, it would be great to focus all of my time and energy on this one activity but the reality is that there are other things that need to get done and I simply can’t devote all of my time to it.
Right?
Yes, you are right. The reality is that you can’t devote every minute to one project. Emails still have to be responded to, you still need to work with your current clients, and you need to stay on top of ongoing projects. However, you can take a lot of the “shoulds” and “supposed tos” off your list and give yourself permission to devote specific time and energy to the one thing that will make the biggest difference for you. What are one or two simple steps you can take each day to move you towards your primary goal?
Great article! For me, it’s spreading more influence (and, a little more time for self-care). So, I am going to focus on spreading the news for a telesummit that I am involved in next week. I am being interviewed on Sept. 30th. And, I am teaching a Color Healing Class by webinar on Monday that I have not completed the powerpoint for, so that is a priority. I moved twice (in two steps) over last three weeks and was away on a business trip, so I am catching up. Thanks for clarifying things!
Go for it Andrea!
I can relate to this post, Carrie. I know I’m engaged in too many things, but I’m not sure how to separate them because they relate to each other. From one blog when I started online at the end of 2008, I now have three and it can be challenging to write posts for each every week as well as article marketing.
I’m also taking three different courses: social media and speaking that are connected to my working with local businesses…but it gets overwhelming at times…
Hey Yvonne…ask yourself these questions:
Which of these activities adds the most value (or brings me closest) to my ultimate goal?
Which of these activites do I enjoy and will happily spend my time doing?
What did you learn?