Change Isn’t Easy: Four Essential Shifts Every Small Business Owner Must Make
Today, I’m sharing the four shifts you must make in your business. Each is important in its own right and will help address some of the challenges you might be experiencing.
You see, running a small business is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle blindfolded. You’re wearing a hundred hats, and sometimes, it feels like they’re all on fire. But if you’re ready to swap chaos for clarity, it’s time to rethink the habits that might be holding you back.
I know from experience how easily we fall into routines that hinder growth rather than foster it. The pesky habits that create fires and keep you tied up doing anything but implementing your incredible ideas. The frustration this creates and how dreams and ambitions can be crushed by the daily grind of ‘doing’.
While it’s crucial to have habits that serve you, it’s also essential to recognise habits that keep you stuck so you can change them.
If you regularly read my blogs, you will know I like to focus on the positive. But today, I need to give you a little tough love and share the four habits you need to shift or change to make room for innovation, growth, and increased profitability.
Stop Doing the Same Old Thing
It’s comfy in your well-worn routine, but if you’re always doing the same thing, don’t be surprised if you’re always getting the same results. Shake things up! Innovate, experiment, and don’t be afraid to make a few mistakes along the way — that’s how you learn and grow.
Don’t be frightened to say goodbye to offers and clients that no longer align with your vision, who you’ve become on this incredible entrepreneurial journey. As one season ends and another begins, it IS the perfect time to streamline and dump offers you’ve not sold for months or clients who eat your time and energy – to increase your prices!
Trying new things can lead to breakthroughs, better processes, and new products that delight your customers and boost your bottom line. Plus, it’s way more fun than being stuck in a rut!
Stop Being Busy in the Business for Busy Sake
The ‘busy badge of honour’ – who hasn’t worn it? I certainly have. But let’s be honest: being busy isn’t the same as being productive. And when you’ve lost direction, it’s even easier to pick up more things to keep you busy and ‘pretending’ to be productive. Activities that ‘someone’ else said would be the solution to all your problems or the thirty-seven dollar band-aid problem solver you saw on TicketyTok (other platforms are available).
You might even have a procrastinator tool (or four) that has become your go-to when unsure what to do. Mine was planning. I know how crazy that is!! When something wasn’t working out, or I felt lost, I would plan ‘some more’; I might even re-engineer my original plan. Failing that, I’d find another social media platform to waste time on! 🙇♀️
It’s time to ditch the endless to-do lists and focus on what matters: to give your time to the priorities that will move the needle for your business. Trust me when I say that cutting out the busy work will free up your time to strategise, innovate, and implement your magnificent ideas.
Stop Being Invisible
In a world where even your grandma has an Instagram account, or in my case, my 82-year-old mother has a Facebook account, there’s no excuse for your business to be invisible. However, throwing in every new ‘thing’ and way of marketing your business being visible or, more importantly, how, can feel daunting. Who has the time? Spoiler alert: You do.
Visibility is your ticket to attracting new customers and staying top of mind with your current ones. Whether through social media, a killer website, or local events, putting your business out there is crucial for growth. Plus, it’s a great way to show off how awesome you are.
You might think, ‘Isn’t social media a distraction tool, Lindsey?’ Yes. However, being visible is not about social media or throwing everything at it and hoping something will stick! Instead, it is about knowing your potential clients or customers, like your best friend, understanding their pain points, and having a strategy to attract them. It’s time to discover your way of showing up and it gets easier with practice, I promise.
Stop Putting Yourself Last
You’re often the last item on your to-do list as a business owner. But running on empty isn’t sustainable, and you can’t serve your business or clients at the highest level when the tanks are depleted.
When tired and running on empty, you will struggle to make and act upon your decisions. You won’t have the strength to leave your comfort zone, and suddenly, everything will feel heavy. This is most likely when you return to your go-to procrastination tools, creating even more busyness and overwhelm.
It’s time to put on your oxygen mask first. Taking care of yourself isn’t just about avoiding burnout or ‘NICE’ to have. It is about being at your best to lead your business toward your vision. Whether it’s professional development, a bit of relaxation, or just a good night’s sleep, investing in yourself pays off, and your business and clients will thank you for it.
Embrace Change: Fuel Growth
Changing habits isn’t easy—we’ve all got our comfort zones. But breaking out of them is where the magic happens. Breaking these habits will open up new opportunities for growth, innovation, and profits. So, shake things up to see what amazing things you and your business can achieve.
Need help shaking it up? Book a complimentary coaching call. Together, we shall establish the next steps for you, and I will provide you with a boost of confidence so you will take those next steps. Book your call here.