Some people want it to happen, some wish it to happen and others make it happen.
Michael Jordan
I love basketball. I was fortunate enough to have season tickets when Michael Jordan played for the Bulls in Chicago. It was magical when he drove the the basket and effortlessly dunked the ball in. He made things happen.
Likewise, making things happen in your business is the key to your success. Starting and completing projects. Being laser focused on doing the right things at the right time. It’s hard. I know there are a lot of times when I end my day not sure what I have accomplished and with more on my “to do” list then when I started.
If you are anything like me, you become more frustrated as you try to fix it by “working a little harder”. You begin to doubt yourself. You become so busy being reactive that planning goes out the window. And your “to do” list continues to grow.
I have learned there is a better way. Here are 10 tips to help you make things happen:
• Do what you love. It takes energy, effort and passion to build a successful business. If you aren’t in love with what you are doing things won’t get done. We all spend time on the things that are important to us. And actions are what completes the projects needed to grow your business.
• Believe in what you are doing. You won’t be successful unless you believe in the services or products you are selling and the results you provide your clients. Your work is important. Remember that and take it seriously.
• Plan, Plan, Plan. Every aspect of your business requires planning. Sometimes, that feels impossible and easier to “fly by the seat of your pants”, and figure it out as you go. I have learned the hard way it doesn’t work. Create your plan together with action steps for implementation. Plan your time on a daily, weekly and quarterly basis to be more productive.
• Remember that baby steps count. I used to become overwhelmed by what needed to be done to grow my business. The list sat in my head in this constantly repeating loop. Until I discovered that breaking it down into small steps and working on those was more manageable. Complete one baby step after another. Things will get completed.
• Think systems not just goals. Goals are good – they help define the “what”. I have always had lots of goals. It was only after I discovered how to create systems that those goals got accomplished. To borrow from basketball, Michel Jordan had a system for getting the ball to the basket. Want to launch a new product? Create a system for development and stick to it. Need to write blogs for your site? Create a system that has you writing twice a week at the same time.
• Know what you are good at. I used to think I could do it all. Until I realized we all have strengths and weaknesses. Trying to do it all leads to a lot of things not done well. Figure out what you do well and find someone else to do the rest. Trying to wear many hats (many of which don’t fit well) does not serve your company or your clients well.
• Get and stayed organized. For the first few years in business, I didn’t see the bottom of my desk. I spent a lot of time trying to locate things and even more time redoing something I had already done but, you guessed it, couldn’t find in my electronic or paper files. Develop a routine and a system for everything you do in your business. Make sure that your paper and electronic files are well organized and easy to use. Keep an up-to-date calendar. Maintain a project plan for everything you do and keep it updated. I learned the more structure I had around my business, the more time I had to do what was important.
• Create the best team possible. See how basketball keeps popping up? Michael Jordan was an amazingly talented player. But it took a team to win the championship year after year. Your team is your most valuable asset. Figure out who can help you make things happen. Find the resources you need and treat them like gold. If you have employees, recruit the best, motivate them and enable their success.
• Be consistently curious and constantly learning. Read books. Watch videos. Listen to podcasts. Learn from what didn’t work to do it better next time. Ask “why”. Invest in yourself by getting the best training possible for you and your team. Get a coach to help you get more focused and hold you accountable. If you aren’t learning, you won’t be earning.
• Use technology to work more efficiently. I am still amazed at how technology has leveled the playing field for small businesses. My laptop and IPhone manages my entire business. You don’t need the newest thing on the market. But you do need a technology plan and the tools that will enable you to be the most productive.
You have so much to offer. The world deserves your contribution. Ready to make things happen and think you need some help? Then you are our perfect client. Get in touch with us and let’s see how we can work together. We’ll be waiting.