Ask any small business owner who has endured a few business cycles what they do when they’re not working. “Working on the business” they’ll more often than not respond.
Running a business is not easy, though if there is an underlying passion your spare time might not be totally absorbed by the business, though you’ll most likely be thinking about it.
This is both a blessing and a curse. You can be in danger of loving something to death, alternatively you the business owner suffers burn out. There needs to be a consideration to the longer term efforts and how a sustainable strategy is in place to ensure what you love doesn’t turn into something you hate.
With passion comes self perseverance, business is a marathon and not a sprint. Though when you work on the business and also in it, the lines can get blurred and turning off become difficult.
Marathon, not a sprint.
There is an effort that needs to be made in constantly reminding yourself that running a business is a marathon and not a sprint. There is no first prize and a gold medal at the end of it. Life is too short to be in a hurry, furthermore you don’t want to have a business you created or started to begin to own your life and become a burden. Ideally if you have spent time Developing A Marketing Plan For Your Small Business then you should be able to lean on this, as any good plan would build in adequate time to get things done in a measured and viable way. When small businesses run off no strategic guidance the owners run around like chooks in the yard about to get their heads cut off.
Work to live, not live to work.
There is so much truth in working smarter not harder though all the inspirational quotes go out the window when the Monday morning siren calls – but you shouldn’t let it.
An evenly paced week is much more effective than a run of volatile days, when one minute you’re winning, and then next you’re losing. These peaks and valleys are all throughout one’s life, and will happen regardless, so there is a need in business to let destiny take its course and don’ get hung up on the immediacy of the day to day, just ensure a smooth and steady pace, keep turning up and giving it your call. Just remember that a balanced approach is key, and supports a sustainable approach to the broader business operations.
The Balance And The Filters
There will be times of weakness when everything around you seems to be moving so much faster than you, and others are achieving so much more glorified success than you.
Often this is not the case, use a filtering system to look at what you are being influenced with through the right filter.
You see, those who have time to get in front of you with a sales proposition or something really engaging and sophisticated are either not busy enough, and have spent their time on building some sophisticated marketing, or, they are from a bigger organisation that shouldn’t be threatening or stifling for you as you’re more than likely not competing directly with this business, so use it for inspiration and not have it take the wind out of your sails.
Contact us at COG Branding to discuss further how we can assist you in developing and growing your small Australian business.
