Slow Down to Make More Money
When I started my marketing firm, I was coming off a rollercoaster corporate-type position where I was running on high gear 24/7. Much of my days were spent fighting proverbial fires, managing employee drama all while serving customer needs. I didn’t have much time to think about the goals of my organization and how we would achieve them. I was always passionate about those things but never had quite enough time to gain real traction.
When I started my marketing firm, it grew quickly and before I knew it I was busy serving my clients and making sure they were successful without much time to have a real plan for my own company. The same challenges that motivated me to go out on my own were permeating my new company. No time to strategize and a lack of clear direction.
It wasn’t until I stepped back, assessed what it was I was really after and why, was I able to expand my capabilities, understand what I wanted out of my business, understand what it would take to get there and truly and achieve my goals. By slowing down, I was able to accelerate my growth.
In the years since, I have had the honor of working with other entrepreneurs and business owners in situations similar to my own. They wear multiple hats, try to be all things to all customers and are consumed with the day to day tasks of running their businesses. Sure, they have goals, hopes and dreams for their businesses but those goals get pushed back week after week, month after month without significant progress. Even worse, after years of toiling away they realize their business isn’t aligned with their core values or their goals simply weren’t big enough.
When was the last time you took time to really think about your goals and what excites you about your business? Maybe you want to:
- Open an additional location?
- Be prominent in your community so you can make a difference
- Have more free time
- Leave a legacy or create generational wealth
I know it’s tough but start by slowing down a little. Take the time now to get clear on where you want to go and how you are going to get there. Block off an hour or two each week to sit with your thoughts about your business. Write down what you truly want and even map out a strategy to get you there.
I like to write down each goal and then create bullet points under each that represent the major steps I need to take to achieve them. I break each of those bullets into tasks and assign dates to each task. You can then put them into your calendar or a project management tool so you can also delegate some of the tasks and assign due dates. I like Asana for my projects but there are several other good ones online.
As entrepreneurs in this fast paced world, we are just not wired to shift to low gear for anything! It is full steam ahead every single day. But by slowing down you can finally:
- Understand your “why” and get clarity on what motivates you
- Achieve your goals in less time
- Have more time to do what you enjoy
- Grow your business with clear and deliberate actions
- Minimize stress and overwhelm
- Make more money!
Take it from someone who has multiple businesses and major goals, I do not like to move backwards. However, I now block out time each week to make sure my goals are clear and my path forward is deliberate and on schedule. Not only has it accelerated my business success, but it has allowed me to enjoy the process so much more.
Listen to the Podcast.
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Jan Southern, DPA is the owner of J. DelSUR Marketing Group and publisher of Pooler Magazine and Effingham Magazine in southeast Georgia. She is a marketing and communications professional with more than 30 years experience, 16 of which have been in leading marketing initiatives for major universities in the U.S. Her experience includes marketing, brand development, design, publishing and strategic communications for public organizations and private sector clients in the healthcare, technology, lifestyle, giftware, publishing, automotive and other industries.
