2. Starting New Habits and Routines
There is a school of thought that says it takes four to six weeks to set a new habit to where it is automatic. There are others that say it only takes a minute. All I know is that it only takes a minute to make the decision to make a change. Then the hardest part is to get started each time it needs to be done.
For example, the hardest thing about getting out of bed in the morning is to put your feet to the ground and start moving. Once you do, you go through the processes and steps it takes to take a shower, get ready, make coffee or breakfast, start the car, and so on.
Why can’t a new, positive habit or routine be any less automatic than say, taking a shower? There are specific steps that need to be completed in a certain order to accomplish it. You’ve done it so many times that you don’t even think of the steps consciously anymore, they have become automatic to you. You don’t ponder them; you just do them.
You wouldn’t stand in the shower and have an internal dialogue about turning on the water, convincing yourself it’s not worth it or it’s too much trouble, would you? Or argue that you shouldn’t use soap, to leave the water running, or not use a towel when you’re finished… right?
The point here is that you know what needs to be done with your business and your time. You know that you know. But you continue to make conscious decisions every day not to do some the important things… and it’s time that you stop. Or suffer the consequences of your decisions or inactions.
Stop doing the trivial and unproductive, and do the things that matter most. Don’t make the things you need to do any bigger, harder or more complicated than they really are. Try to get to the point where they become automatic and unconscious actions that you just do because they need to be done. Nothing more, nothing less.
Make the things that need to happen a high priority or necessity. Let’s say that your car breaks down. You can’t just ignore it, can you? You need to get it fixed or you won’t be able to get around. Even though you may not have the extra money to spend, it’s an inconvenience to get it to the shop and you have to find alternate transportation it is a necessity and a priority to have it fixed. You make the arrangements, have a few days of discomfort and you get the vehicle back. You find a way and you make it happen.
How is this any different with your business? Your business is your vehicle to getting what you want out of your life, isn’t it? If that’s the case, then you want to put good tires on it, fill it with good fuel and keep it maintained and running in tip-top condition, right?
If you’re not sure where to start, how to begin, or it all seems too convoluted and overwhelming… I understand. And sympathize. But it’s your business and your life and you need to pick a direction and just start moving toward it. You don’t need to now or plan out all of the details, you just need to know the next few key actions and do them.
Start simply with some small goals and some habits that need to change, and just work on them. When begin to realize that you can make big changes with little steps, then you can get a little more ambitious and bold. I know there was a time when you completed something that you didn’t think you could do, right? You just did it and surprised even yourself. So keep it simple and do the obvious.
Free up as much time as you can so that you can get to the important and strategic work that you really need to do. Make the time to think and figure stuff out for the business. Being too busy stifles your creativity, innovation and problem solving. Too many small business owners spend way too much time working in the business and not enough time working on their business. Don’t be that guy or gal.
If you can free up some breathing room or thinking time, I guarantee that your path will become much clearer. You have built the business all around you so high that sometimes you can’t step out to see it from the outside.
Here are a few things that you can do today that are positive habits and actions that will free up some time for you. Hopefully you’ll use the time gained to set up your business to where you don’t get overwhelmed any longer, and that you begin to make it work for you for a change.
Stop the self-sabotage, self-defeating, and unproductive thoughts that keep you from working toward your business goals. Never let that negative voice in your head talk you out of doing something positive for yourself or the business. I tell it to, “shut the hell up” at least once a day, and then get back to doing what needs to be done.
Ask, “Is this profitable?” Think about your actions and decide if they are profitable for your company. Profitable doesn’t always mean a stack of dollars. If the things you are doing each day counteract your values, goals and aspirations, limit them or just don’t do them.
Know your limitations. By recognizing what you’re best suited for you will have a better chance at making progress in certain areas of your business. Do what you’re best at, and leave the rest to the experts: hired guns, subcontractors, part-time workers, etc.
Do important things first. Even if they are things you don’t enjoy doing, by starting your day with something major under your belt, you’ll feel a lot better - even if things go wrong the rest of the day.
Don’t multi-task. Whenever possible, do one task all the way through. Better that you have two or three important things done in addition to your regular work instead of many half-finished tasks.
Do reward yourself for little victories. Give yourself a little treat or break when you accomplish or finish a task. Recognize that you did good. While this may not give you more time in your day, it can help with your energy to tackle the next thing on your list.
Don’t pile on too much to do. Be realistic as to what you can get done effectively and accurately when you make your daily or weekly to-do lists. You can be ambitious, but don’t pile on so much that even Superman couldn’t get it all done.
Delegate tasks and jobs to free yourself up. You can’t do it all. Yes, it may not get done exactly the way you want, but it will get done and you didn’t have to do it. Be open to the idea of doing things for success and not always for perfection.
Be proactive. The emergency of today is usually the result of putting something off a while ago. You’ve been doing this for a long time. You know what the recurring obstacles and challenges are, so make sure you take care of small things as soon as they come up so they don’t grow and become full-blown emergencies.
You can say, “No!” Don’t take on work from customers with unrealistic deadlines or unreasonable demands of your time or energy. It’s just not worth it in the long run, and sets a bad precedent for your customer and yourself. Many times to satisfy their own emergency you end up short-changing other customers that are patient and scheduled. Maybe it forces you to work late, cut some corners, or put off other important tasks that need to be done. You can say, “No” sometimes, so do it when you need to.
Lose the problem clients and jobs. This goes along with the entry above. The 80/20 rule says that you have 20% of you customers taking up 80% of your time. Concentrate on the other 80% of your customer base and make them really happy with your products and service.
Cut down or eliminate the wasteful and distracting. Email, web surfing, and the constant “ding” of your smartphone notifications are an obstacle to getting things done. Turn off the phone when possible, only handle the emails at set times during the day, and stay away from the black hole of social media. You can always see what people ate and who got what while you’re at lunch or after your work is done.
Be accountable to yourself. One big challenge for the business owner is that since they don’t answer to anyone, they can put off or just not do whatever they want with very few repercussions. This can be dangerous. Hold yourself - as the employee - accountable to get important stuff done. This is a major part of the program as outlined in my 30-Day Time Management System book and workbook - to view things in such a way as to train yourself to be more accountable.
Look at all of the angles. Take each situation and try to look at all sides and directions before reacting or making a decision. Many times a situation or challenge is not one-dimensional - it has many facets that need to be considered. Take a breath, choose the most logical and profitable solution for now, and try not to act on impulse.
Don’t make desperate decisions or reactive moves that are not beneficial to you or the company. Unfounded fear and worry will sap your energy, drain your resources and usually keep you from recognizing and taking advantage of good opportunities.
Know when you make your best decisions. Do all of your planning, strategy and decision making when you are most effective. You wouldn’t drive a car when you’re tired, so why would you make critical decisions when you’re tired? For many people, mornings are best for making good decisions. And for others it is after work and they have a short power nap. The point is to find out when you’re best at making good decisions and only make them at those times. If you’re tired, just put off making a decision and go over it when you’re sharp or fresh.
Be focused. Don’t let others get you off track. By the same token, don’t let yourself get disheartened, dismayed or distracted. Banish the self-doubt as soon as it comes up by discussing it with yourself or reminding yourself why you’re doing it and what you’re doing it for. The doubt will pass, just like it always does.
Be generous. Help someone that may be struggling with their business. Offer something that is of value to them. Donate your time, services or have your company sponsor a worthwhile cause that will make you proud to be involved with.
Know your worth. When you know what your time is worth to your business, you can then decide if some jobs or functions can be subcontracted or delegated to someone whose rate is less. Your time as the innovator, creator and visionary is worth more than you may realize right now. Free yourself up to do more profitable and important things.
Be active. Don’t be tempted to “sit on your laurels” too long in business. You should strive to keep improving, innovating and growing your business and yourself. There is always a further or better. Always.
Remember that it is the empty spaces between doing productive things that can really add up in your day or workweek. Think about it. If you could gain back - though efficiency or eliminating the wasteful - as little as half an hour a day, it would probably equal about three weeks of time saved in a normal work year. By using the same logic - if you fritter away a half hour a day, you will lose that amount this year.
Think about what you could accomplish if you had three full work weeks to work on your business or how you'd feel when you take a much needed long vacation!