As a small business owner, no one is leaning over you generating your To Do list. It seems like a dream, but being in charge of your own time takes more discipline. In my first years of business, I would say to friends, “I can’t talk. My boss is breathing down my neck.” They would say, “Who’s your boss?” and I’d say, “Me!” Here are some fundamentals I use every day:
Have realistic expectations
A while back I read one of these “10 Things Highly Successful People Do” lists. Reading 1-9, I felt OK. Then on #10 the needle scraped off the record. #10 said that successful people have realistic expectations. Unrealistic goals gloss over the good work we do, which in turns zaps us of confidence. As an unrealistic goal-setter in rehab, I now try to take the long view and set goals that correspond to the time and resources I have.
Put yourself first
We all know it. This year with my kids more independent and my business more stable, I’ve been able to exercise more, spend time with friends more and read more. All things I love. The creative energy and efficiency that are available now is fantastic. Spending time on yourself ups your game in immeasurable ways.
Celebrate the wins
Each week, take a few minutes to review your calendar and call out what went well. Why did it go well? If the accomplishment is part of an on-going effort, connect it to an interim or long-term goal and then think about what you want to do next.
Make a whole life “To Do” list
A personal life detail can be a huge distraction at work, and vice versa. Taking the five minutes to get it done is a huge stress reducer. A Whole Life To Do List has your different roles in the left hand column, personal and work, and the goals and actions on the right.
Advance long term goals
If we don’t crack the code on the big impact, long-term projects we spend too much time putting out fires. The “Important, Not Urgent” model from Stephen Covey lets you prioritize the immediate and identify longer term projects to make sure they keep moving.
Break things down
“Step by Step, One Walks Far” (Peruvian proverb). Goals like “get clients” or “write resume” are too big and broad. Breaking these down into small, manageable parts reduces gremlins and procrastination. What about “Spend one hour thinking about the steps I need to take on project X.” With less pressure and a more realistic goal, it’s easier to take action.
It’s the summer Friday season. I hope you use these favorites to spend more time having fun!
Claire