5 Simple and Productive Ways to Improve Your Business

After talking with many small business owners and entrepreneurs, I have found one main theme to what they want out of their business – more freedom! So, I took that to heart and have made it my mission to help. Take a look at the following basic steps to make this coming year a year of health, wealth, and more freedom in your business!

Harness that crazy schedule
I have often expressed, “there are just not enough hours in the day.” Here is one way that I have found to free up hours in my day and get myself out of the “people-pleasing” mode that we often put ourselves in. One time management technique that I have found particularly effective is designating slots of time in the week for certain activities. For example, I set aside certain times during the day to return phone calls (unless they are urgent), certain days of the week where I meet with potential clients and do all those other (thousands) of little things on my to-do list.


Learn when and how to say, “no, thank you”
It is important to know what is going to be the best use of your time and commit to only those things, events, and meetings that are going to be the most beneficial to you, your business, and your family. I began to analyze the quality of my invested time and realized that if I said yes to one thing, meant I had to say no to another, perhaps more important, thing. I realized that if we all cut back here and there on some things that should be lower on our priority list, we are better able to be productive for our clients, family, and most of all, ourselves.


Put yourself on (creative) timeout
When working on a project, marketing plans, or generating creative ways to solve a client’s problem, it is best to find a quiet place to let your creative thoughts flow. I have found that the best ideas and solutions come when I am able to concentrate on the flow of thoughts and solutions for my projects. Your quiet place may be a corner of the library, or a room in your home, or perhaps you find that staying "after hours" in your office is a good place to sit and work without the many distractions of the day. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you have a few hours just for you. Not only is it productive, but it also gives you a greater sense of energy and accomplishment.


Take a hike!... or a walk or run.
I find that I come up with some great ideas when I am out walking or out for one of my longer runs. It does not necessarily matter how often you go out or for how long, what matters is getting out of your current environment, clearing your mind, nourishing your body, and replenishing your energy reserves.


Change your mind set about building relationships
“Networking.” Yikes! Am I the only one who flinches a bit at the mention of that word? For those of us who network just for the sake of "networking" because we are told that is what we should be doing as part of our business plan (which is true), I have some good news. You don’t have to hit the pavement as much as you think. I’ll admit, when I first started venturing out to network, I had to force myself... but I ended up meeting some pretty great people. And in all honesty, I had networking all wrong at first. Networking is not about going to meetings, passing out your business card, and telling people what you do; unfortunately, it is just not that simple. Networking is about creating relationships by attracting people with your knowledge and with the exchange of ideas. Change the way you view networking and it will make meeting people and sharing your great products and services much easier. The most important part of this tip: Don’t attend networking meetings with the sole purpose to sell your product or service. Your main goal should be to meet your target demographic, learn and listen to what matters to them most, and start to build strong relationships. Somehow along the way, the rest of what you want will fall into place.





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