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Every year when summer comes around again, it seems like life gets in the way of even the best intentions we have to work our businesses. The kids are out of school, hanging around or even worse, commanding our attention. Demanding, "Take me...," "Look at me ...," etc.
So, how do you refocus on your business and keep it moving in the right direction? Here is a short list of ways to stay on track during the summer months.
1. Set Boundaries
Let your family know that you too need your space. For example, when you are on the phone talking to clients, your family needs to respect you and hold down the chatter. Promise to do the same for them in return.
2. Create a Schedule and Stick to It
This may not be easy to adhere to, but chances are better that you will get more done if you plan out your day and week ahead of time.
3. Prioritize Rather than Procrastinate
If you have not finished a task you meant to do the day before, start the day completing that chore first. Perhaps you have a job you hate doing; get it done and out of the way rather than procrastinating about it.
4. Educate Yourself
Lots of jobs require what is known as CE's. Doctors, Financial Advisors, and many others have to attend classes for Continuing Education credits. If you consider the benefits of keeping up with the ever changing environment in your field of expertise you should indulge yourself in the chance to learn and grow. You might decide you want to learn a new skill rather than delve into advances in your chosen field. Either way, learning is growing and growing never equates to stagnation. This growth will help you achieve your goals while creating excitement around the new skill you can now utilize.
5. Take Small Breaks
Often, we get bogged down when we stay at the same task over long periods of time without taking a break. If you get up and get some fresh air or just have a change of scenery that can be enough to regenerate and motivate you. Usually, when I do this, I come back refreshed and have new ideas for designs that will benefit my clients. If you are a writer or an editor, you know full well how important these little breaks can be.
6. Attack the Mountain
Another helpful strategy is called, "Attack the Mountain." When the work seems overwhelming, like a formidable mountain to be climbed, the choices about what to do can be overwhelming and prevent any forward movement. I can become stuck in my indecision. At that point I say, "Pick one thing, anything, and do it!" While doing that first thing, I think about the next thing I will do after I finish the first task. I don't think about the mountain, just what I'm doing and what I'll do next. Every time I start something, I think to myself, "The next thing I will do is ... ." I refuse to let myself get sidetracked into thinking about the size of the mountain. Interestingly though, as I do this, the mountain gets smaller and more manageable when I focus on just one item at a time and the one thing I'll do next.
These are just a few ways that I personally keep my business on the upswing during the summer months, when things might tend to distract me. I hope you find at least one of them helpful too.
If you have other strategies that you use please write and let me know about them. You may just find your suggestion in an upcoming Words of Wisdom ezine or article.
© Copyright 2015 Ginger Marks
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