Monday, May 14, 2012

Taking Time To Work On Your Business vs. In Your Business



We help a large number of businesses with their Internet marketing, and we ask them to spend a small amount of time each month to work with us to help them grow their businesses. So many don't find the time. They're so busy working in their business that there is no time left to work on their business.

We get it. Frankly, we are in a similar situation. We focus on our clients and doing so many things for them, and at the end of the day, there wasn't any time left for us to work on our business.

But we have to. It's not an option. We must find the time. We must take care of growing, improving, even reinventing our businesses and that requires at least a regular commitment of time and energy to give some focus on our business.

This happens in people's personal lives as well. Mothers may be juggling a career, raising children, caring for a home, and so busy giving all the time that she forgets that she needs to give herself some love and reload. Stephen Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People calls this sharpening the saw. We all need time to sharpen the saw and renew our spirit and drive.

Our businesses need this even more.

What we've learned is that it doesn't take a lot of time and energy, but a small amount on a regular basis is extremely beneficial. You would be amazed how much can get accomplished with as little as one or two hours a week.

What needs to happen is that this time must rise to the level of importance that we will make sure that it gets done, and then schedule the time, just as if we were scheduling an appointment with a client. If you run a retail business or service shop, this schedule will be more effective at a time not during your normal business hours. Perhaps come in early or stay late one day a week.

The benefits of applying a small amount of focus to working on your business will be far reaching, and you may find your business growing faster and better as well.

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