Do you struggle to “find” the time to get everything done in your business? The to-do list of a solopreneur can certainly seem never-ending as there is always something to do.
Creating and launching your programs; marketing; writing articles and blog posts; working with clients; business development; social networking; administration; filing; speaking to prospects; presenting; attending networking events; sending out invoices; paying bills; updating the website; and on it goes. Can you relate?
Last week I shared a quote with my Twitter friends, which I’d like to share with you:
“You will never ‘find’ time, you must make it.” – Charles Buzton.
Thought provoking–yes?!
After reading this quote last year I took a step back from my business and re-evaluated my entire approach to how I was managing my time.
Not only did I look at HOW I was managing my time but also WHAT activities I was spending my time on.
The results were surprising. When looking at the tasks that were keeping me busy – I realised these activities were not business development or income-generating activities (such as marketing and product/program development) but were administrative duties that I should have been outsourcing.
I knew something had to be done to prevent me drowning in administrative and other activities that were keeping me stuck working ‘in’ my business.
Here’s an exercise I used to help me get clear and focused and that allowed me to make time to start working ‘on’ my business.
I encourage you to complete this exercise as well, as not only will it help you make time – it will help you make time for the IMPORTANT tasks that will help you reach your business and income goals, much faster.
Step 1: Draw a table with three columns.
Step 2: List ALL of the activities that you currently do in your business in the middle column.
Step 3: Select 3 to 5 items (no more) from that the list that:
(a) Gets you closer to your prospects (and money), and
(b) Demands your direct involvement. .
Move these tasks to the column to the left. Label this column “My Unique Talents”.
For instance, marketing is a function that is very important and something that I know requires my direct involvement. This includes writing articles and blog posts and networking online through my social network platforms.
These activities are what will get me closer to my prospects and therefore demands my direct input. And, as these activities exude my ‘brand voice’ and involve direct communication and interaction with prospects and clients, I would not consider outsourcing these activities.
Step 4: Review all of the things that are still in the middle column and move them over to the right hand column. Label this column: “My Support Team”.
Here’s a portion of what my list looks like:
|
My Unique Talents |
All Business Activities |
My Support Team |
|
Interviewing guests (for Business Success Podcast) |
|
|
|
Uploading audio files |
Uploading audio files |
|
|
Editing audio files |
Editing audio files |
|
|
Writing articles/blog posts |
|
|
|
Uploading articles to article sites |
Uploading articles to article sites |
|
|
Uploading blog posts |
||
|
Writing Tweets |
|
Uploading blog posts |
|
Scheduling Tweets |
Scheduling Tweets |
|
|
Coaching clients |
|
Interviewing guests (for Business Success Podcast)
As you can see for me, the only things I want to be doing in my business involve:
- Marketing, (any activity that involves communicating my brand and my voice to my target market/clients)
- Creating programs and products (requiring my expertise)
- Interviewing my guests on Business Success Podcast (as this continues to promote my brand to my listeners and community)
- Coaching clients
Making time to work on business building activities is vital. Therefore all administrative and other tasks that do not require your direct involvement or expertise should eventually be outsourced to your support team.
If you are not yet in a position to afford a support team, I recommend allocating 10-15% of your income to put towards hiring staff. That’s what I did when I first started my business. Then when I was ready to hand this over to a team member, I created a step-by-step instruction sheet which explained the exact process they were to complete.
I also don’t see my support team as an expense. I look at it as an investment in my business as outsourcing many of the administrative tasks allows me to dedicate my time to activities that I know will help me continue to grow my business.
What do you think? Was this helpful? Are you spending too much time on tasks that you should be outsourcing and not enough time on activities that will get you closer to your prospective clients?
To your success!
Annemarie
Related posts
- Audio Biz Tip: Powerful Introductions
- Mindmapping with a Livescribe Pen
- Regaining Your Sanity & Finding Focus in 5 Easy Steps
- How to Double Your Sales with Warwick Merry
- Get More Clients #3: The Importance of Branding
Hi Annemarie – I use an IPhone app called Hours Tracker – to track my day, in my case via customer to see if my monthly billing is actually the right charge, but also on those “admin” tasks. I found WAY too much time was on the activity “email checking not client related” – lol
Keep up the good work
Debbie
Thanks Deb, sounds like that would be a great application to have as well!
Time is never enough for many people so you just have to create time. In most instances one will find that it is not the time which is not enough but it is them who do not manage the time they have well. The experiment you have on the post can also be of great help in determining how you spend your time.
You’re absolutely right Jesse – the only way we are going to find more time, is to make time. Otherwise we’ll just go round in circles. Glad you found the exercise helpful!