This email was originally written three years ago, but I remember the feeling all too well.
I was winning the morning, until…the toilet overflowed.
Now…
Baby is crying in his crib.
Toddler is whining in his bed.
Breakfast is half made.
And the bathroom is a mess.
Gross. I know.
But that’s life, right?
We strive to be singularly focused on any one goal, but life intervenes and throws competing priorities our way.
Fortunately, I was not the only adult in the house when I was faced with my dilemma.
Getting help is always a good first step.
We split up the tasks and got everyone out the door on time.
It’s not the only time I’ve experienced being pulled in several directions at once – having more than one child and a business will do that to you.
Each time it happens I have to do a quick calculation:
Who or what can wait?
What can I delegate?
Trying to do all of it myself – all of the time – is a losing proposition.
It’s likely that some of your competing priorities could be dealt with by someone else, but you’re taking care of it – because you’ve always done so.
Your Challenge For This Week
It’s time to take a step back and look critically at what’s been pulling you in three different directions.
Get super clear on what tasks are really yours – and only yours.
Could you cross-train someone so they are competent to step up in a pinch?
Are you still doing tasks that are important, but feel life-draining?
Would someone else find joy in them and take it on happily? (e.g., hire someone to do data entry, bookkeeping, housecleaning)
Next time you’re faced with competing priorities, see whether you can make someone or something wait or what you can delegate.
Then get your focus back on the task that is truly yours to complete and feel accomplished when you cross it off your list.
Try this and let me know how it goes!
Business Growth Strategist & Business Coach
As a relationship-based business growth strategist, I work directly with a limited number of self-employed professionals, aka solopreneurs.
WHO YOU ARE:
You want to have a greater impact and increased income. The problem is that there are so many options for how to build your business that you can feel stuck, overwhelmed, and like you’re running out of time.
The reason options are overwhelming is that you’re looking at them as a series of disconnected steps, when to make the most of your time, you need a strategy that connects only the most important and highest impact ones.
You know that if you try to do everything, you’ll accomplish nothing. This means, to achieve your goal, you have to invest in a strategy to put time on your side.
What’s Included:
As a relationship-based business growth strategist, I will work with you to design a year-long plan that consists of three 12-week sprints, each followed by 4 weeks of reflection/assessment, rejuvenation/vacation, and strategic planning. This will allow you to sequence your goals, create momentum, and leverage your limited time.
We can build your plan through a half-day strategy session, a coaching engagement, or a mastermind program.
These are not right for everyone; they’re personalized offerings and are priced accordingly.
What might you work on?
In my coaching work with entrepreneurs and solopreneurs, we focus on the areas where you’d like to grow, which may include:
- Creating a strong sales conversation framework
- Building your referral network
- Lead generation through a relationships
- Growing your visibility in your industry
- Increasing your ability to attract the right kind of clients
- Identifying and launching a minimally viable offer
- Breaking through whatever bottleneck is holding you back from getting the results you want and deserve
- Becoming a published author and marketing your book successfully
- Improving your virtual presentation skills
Learn more about the different ways we can work together – deep dive 3-hour session, private 1:1 coaching, and masterminds. I’m excited to support you in reaching or exceeding your goals.
Stay Connected:
- Connect with me on LinkedIn to see the content I share.
- New to my website? Start here
- Listen to my On the Schmooze podcast – weekly since July 2016.
