When starting a business and also working a job so that you can manage your responsibilities comfortably whilst you build your business things can start getting crazy complicated and stressful. There are long lists of things to get done before you can actually get into a space where you are ready to rock your business; plenty of doubts pop up, and there are of course many decisions to make.
So, how do you clear your path and create a mindset that helps you build a business that feels good instead of feeling like you are getting your ass kicked by tasks?
Get clear – Getting clear on what it is you want to achieve is an integral first step. It is not as simple as coming up with an idea and writing it down. You need goals, but more importantly, you have to break them down into actionable chunks. Being specific is your best friend! So let’s break this first task down to get you started:
- Download the worksheet at the end of this post.
- Get clear on what your main business goal is. This could be something like ‘Company ABC will provide parents with a way to take their children on a creative journey through collaborative colouring and storytelling’ Dive right down into the what and the why of why you are doing what you are doing. Write this down.
- How will you achieve that goal? Break this down into 3 main products that will aid this goal (Eg: 1. Colouring Books 2. Craft Packages 3. Quarterly Magazine subscription)
- Create a list of the 10-15 tasks that are going to aid you in completing this vision. (This could be things like, Setup a website, Launch a new collection,
- Then break these down into actionable chunks.
Take action – Action steps need more than just thinking about. Set some deadline dates. Declare aloud what your action steps are and when you are going to get it done by. Hold yourself accountable to smashing these goals.
Delegate – If you are starting a new business of your own, do not be afraid to delegate tasks, even if you do not have a business partner or associates yet. Imagine how much time you can save by concentrating on the things that could be moved onto someone else’s more qualified shoulders. – You won’t have to learn something new and you won’t need to add any extra stress to your plate. Think: Is it less stressful and time-consuming to hire someone to do this job for me? Try to make your life easier – You do not have to do EVERYTHING!
Key delegations that will save you time and stress:
- Your website design
- Your website copy
- Logo Design
- Social Media Management
Fun fact: This first thing I ever delegated was cleaning! (It might sound crazy but it honestly made building a business easier because I didn’t need to worry about coming home to a huge mess and another pile of tasks after a 15-hour stint in my studio)
Let go – Sometimes in order to create something new, we need to let go of something old. In order to clear the path and create a new business, something else will have to fall by the wayside. If something is creating additional work or is taking too much of your time up, look for a new way to get the end goal done. Spot the patterns that don’t serve them and replace them with a pattern that makes it easier.
Keeping your day job is important until you are secure financially in your new business endeavour unless you are in a position where you can be supported whilst you get everything started – It is no easy feat but you can absolutely do it.
Keep on going. Keep writing down your goals. And, of course, explore the blog for more business planning / action taking related content.
