There are many great things about running your own business. The freedom it provides, the lifestyle that many business owners enjoy, and the ability to do things “your way” are great incentives.
But there are challenges that come with running your own business, as well, and one of the most difficult is simply managing the immense number of details that you must stay on top of.
Many of the small business owners I work with report feeling overwhelmed and swamped – like they are struggling just to keep their head above water and avoid being buried by the sea of details. And unfortunately, that feeling of stress and pressure can make it very difficult to be productive, which makes the situation even worse.
Today, we’re going to look at five key principles to keep in mind should you find yourself in this situation. They won’t make the challenge disappear, but they will make it a whole lot easier to manage!
1) Stay organized. It’s absolutely essential that you stay organized despite the chaos. This requires discipline on your part- that you stick with your filing and organizational systems despite being overwhelmed. And it requires that you teach your team how to stay organized as well, so that they know what to do when you’re too busy to tell them!
2) Stick to your priorities. A huge stack of work that demands your attention can be overwhelming. Prioritizing can make all the difference. Take the time to get organized and figure out which issues are most critical, and then do your best to stay true to the priorities. This ensures that the most important matters aren’t lost in the chaos.
3) Focus on clear communication. When you’re stressed and busy, it’s more important than ever that you communicate clearly with your team, your vendors, and your customers. Unfortunately the opposite usually happens. Make it a point to focus on clear communication, particularly when you’re busy!
4) Keep yourself physically and mentally fresh. The typical business owner looks at a 40 hour work week as a rare luxury. Many business owners work long hours all week, including the weekend. And when you’re busy and have a huge to-do list, it’s even more tempting than usual to work extremely long hours. The problem is that, if you aren’t getting the rest your body needs, you’re not going to be effective. Get the rest, relaxation, and sleep that you need so that you can be productive while you’re working.
5) Take it one step at a time. Finally, don’t get discouraged. Don’t focus on the huge stack of papers that demands your attention, or the seemingly endless list of emails that you must respond to. Instead, focus on the next step you need to take. If you stay focused on the present and keep working away, before you know it you will dig your way out!
Questions or comments? Would you like help creating systems that make it easier to stay organized even when you’re swamped? Give me a call today to learn more!