Accounts to do. Patients to see. Staff to pay. Letters to write. Holidays to book. Kids to collect. Business to grow. Schools to choose. CPD to plan. Dinner to cook. Patients to find. Shopping to do. Emails to answer. Gym to attend. Puppy to train. Systems to update. Marathon to run.
And then Gilly says, “Do your marketing!”
Whaaaaaaat??
Guess what goes down the toilet when you get into overwhelm?
The front end of your business! One of the biggest problems that I see is when business owners are so busy tinkering in the back end of their businesses that nobody is paying attention to the front end! The business building end. The driving force. The part that brings in more revenue. The bit that grows. The nib that writes you greater profits. That energy that catapults you towards greater success. The drive that takes you towards your goals and dreams. The motion that allows you to reach more people in pain.
That’s why I bang on about marketing!
Marketing is a rather bland word. And, quite frankly, I used to wonder as to its real meaning! But truly, all it does really mean is getting the word out to potential customers. I spend more time than most on marketing my business but it’s paying big dividends. It’s June and my business has already matched last year’s total income. Boom! So I’m on track to double last year’s profits. Believe me, I’ve invested heavily in my ongoing knowledge and training even though I don’t HAVE to do CPD! I have my own business coach who gives me a mighty shove now and again when I’ve got into overwhelm and lost direction. So I make sure that my business never loses momentum. My focus is on the front end of my business and I work very hard to deliver on my promises to clients.
Yes but what about the overwhelm?
OK – think of it this way. Focus and set some big, hairy audacious goals! THEN breathe and chop that up into major steps. Prioritise those steps. THEN dissect each step into the tiniest pieces. Make them into ten minute jobs. Keep that list handy. Stuck in a waiting room? Hanging about for kids after swimming? Whip out your list and get some stuff done. Schedule some posts on Facebook. Jot down some ideas for short blogs.
Clear the decks for half an hour twice a week and make that time sacrosanct. Write that newsletter. Plan that talk to the guys at the gym. Call the Women’s Institute and ask if you can be a guest speaker. Think about how else you can push the boundaries of your business. Get out of your office and get known in your town. Nobody cares as much about your business as you do. Own it!
Remember to also take care of yourself
Keep taking those small steps. Remind yourself why you do this work. Look at the success stories and congratulate your good work. Literally pat yourself on the back at the end of the day, knowing you have relieved more pain for your patients.
Get some help with the areas you dislike! I just hired an accountant/book-keeper – I’m soooo relieved not to have to do that boring job any more! Always focus on the areas you’re good at.
Say no to time wasters and moaners. Be impervious to energy leeches. Take care of you – get a massage and see an Osteopath! Slow down the pace when you’re tired and pick it up when you’re energised. Put in firm boundaries that protect your time and your health. Play.
Then crack on!
