Bring Simplicity to Your Small Business
I was reviewing a calendar of various “special days” recently and I noted that a few weeks ago it was “National Simplicity Day.”
I guess things were a bit too hectic in my life to notice it at the time…
Sorry.
Generally, I load these pages up with things you need to do to push your small business forward, but it’s also wise to step back, reflect, and find areas where you can simplify your life, both professionally and personally.
Being a small business owner means you have to wear many hats, and it’s likely that most of your employees are juggling multiple roles as well. While a lot of this is inevitable, there are ways that you and your team can make this three-ring circus act a lot simpler.
First, consider delegating certain tasks to a part-time administrative assistant, or even a virtual personal assistant. This may seem like a big expense at first, but when you consider all the tasks that can be removed from your plate, you begin to see many better ways that you could be spending your time. The benefits are two-fold: You have more time to do the things you are better at and enjoy, and/or you can simply enjoy more time for non-work related things.
Second, set aside time every day to do your least favorite task or something you fear doing so they doesn’t build up into a tremendous obstacle that seems impossible to overcome.
When you walk into your office day after day to see the growing stack of invoices, unfiled receipts, or messages that need returning, you probably feel overwhelmed even before the day even begins. Keep these tasks under control by doing a little at a time. Once it becomes a habit, you’ll find a sense of peace creeping in. Don’t forget that many of these most hated tasks can be delegated as well!
While we’re on the topic, it’s also a great time to consider how simple your services are for your customers. Is it easy for them to pay you? Easy for them to contact you? Easy for them to make repeat orders or leave reviews? The simpler these processes are, the more your customers are likely to return, and the less you are likely to be facing a pile of unpaid invoices month after month.
Finally, when it comes to something new, stick to the “one per time limit” rule. Learn one new skill a month, develop one new business contact per week, or set one new primary goal for the day. I’m reminded of a simple fact of the English language: Priority means prime concern or most important consideration. You simply can’t – and shouldn’t – have more than one priority.
By setting your sights on just one new task at a time, you ensure that you’re giving each new item your complete dedication. This can help reduce feelings of overwhelmed anxiety and make your schedule seem far more manageable.