Everything about your business doesn’t need to be spreadsheets and growth plans! (although I do love a good spreadsheet – it’s the accountant in me).
Your business is the vehicle for your life, not the other way around – or it should be.
So many of us start a business so that we can achieve work/life balance and spend our days enjoying our work.
But the reality of working in your business often falls (very) short.
That’s because you have lost sight of your ‘big picture’ vision!
But that’s not your fault – it’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day noise and spend all of your time attending to individual tasks and fighting fires.
And some of those tasks are really important – we’ve all got bills to pay the work is important to keep you going. BUT…
And it’s a big but. Are these tasks taking you closer to where you want to be, or just filling your time and keeping you going for now?
Are they taking you further towards your big-picture goals?
Whether that’s retiring at 60, or working 3 days a week – or even growing your revenue to that 7 figures everyone is always talking about.
So, how do we fix this?
The first thing to do is to recognise that your business is YOU. Even if you have a team, the success of your business hinges on you.
How much do you invest in your own knowledge and development? Do you know enough about your work and personality style to understand how you work best?
Are you a person who works best in a bustling environment, or do you need peace and quiet to make your best decisions?
Do you even know which one of these environments works for you?
Until you put the work into understanding yourself and how you work best you will find it hard to nail down your vision and long-term plans.
Are you great at social media but not at financial planning – that’s OK.
Brilliant at accounts but no clue where to start with your website – that’s OK too.
The key is to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Maximise what you’re good at, get help with the things you aren’t so good at and show up as yourself – not the person you think you should be.
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
Brene Brown
Once you are clear about who you are and how you work you can make that big-picture plan.
- Retiring to the sun
- Six figure clients
- Short work-week
- Spending more time with your family
Whatever it is will be personal to you.
Whatever your plan make sure that every day you are working towards achieving it. And if you find yourself busy with tasks that aren’t getting you there (or even taking you further away) STOP. Re-calibrate and adjust your work life.
Think…
- Is it paying me?
- Is it bringing me joy or fulfilment?
- Is it bringing me closer to my long-term goals?
Nothing ever stays still
Oh, but wait. It doesn’t end there. Sh*t will happen! Significant events will turn your plan upside down and make you stop in your tracks. And that’s OK too.
You are always changing and your goals are always changing. But if you know who you are and where you want to go you can always adjust.
Letting go and learning – that’s what growth is!
If you need help discovering who you are and how you work best there is no better tool than DISC – it’s an absolute game-changer. Send me an email to book your DISC report or find out more here.