Have you been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately? This one action step can help you move from overwhelmed to focused so you can get things done and move your business forward.
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, for sure. There’s really not a better way to say it.
For pretty much anyone reading this right now, you’ve experienced a lot of changes in the past 7 to 14 days. And it’s not over yet.
I’m right there with you. I, along with thousands of other working parents, have my own school-age kiddo by my side while I’m working when he used to be in school. And I also have to be thinking about his learning in addition to my own work.
Not to mention the part where none of us can do much of what used to be completely normal for us to do.
Here’s the thing I want us to remember, though.
Even in the midst of all that's going on right now, you and I can choose how we’re going to respond as business owners.
And that’s true for all challenges that come our way, right?
We don’t get to choose the challenge but we do get to choose our response.
Sometimes, though, we get overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. With so much information coming our way, we are either distracted or just frozen, unsure of what to do next.
That’s why I want to share with you the best advice I heard this week as it relates to responding to a challenge, or even a crisis, as a business owner.
This advice will help you continue moving the needle forward with your business. Even when you’re facing a different reality than you thought you would when the year started.
Here you go. The best advice was to choose three things that you will do in the next seven days that will help you to move your business forward. And write them down so that you’ll see them and act on them every day.
It seems simple but there is something beautiful and effective about simplicity.
Why? Because it allows us to focus on what really matters and remove the distractions and feelings of overwhelm.
It’s important when you make your list that you don’t just list your regular “to-do” items like checking emails, etc.
Instead, take time to really think strategically about what will help move your business forward.
If you need help getting there, ask yourself these questions:
What goals did you start the year with as it relates to your business? How might they need to be adjusted now? Or, what can you do this week to still meet them?
Are there specific things you can or should do to care for your team well?
What do you hope to be doing in 30 days or 60 days? What do you need to do this week to get you there?
Remember, it won’t always look like this. And the more you’re intentional to think past the right now, the more prepared you will be when this challenge is in your rearview mirror.
Now, you might be saying, “That sounds great in theory, but I’ve got so many things swirling in my mind, I can hardly figure out three things just for my business. What about the family stuff? The kids?”
If that’s you, then my suggestion is to make a top three list for each of the categories that matter most for you right now.
Of course, you still want it to be doable. If you go from a list of three things to a list of 21 things because you have seven categories then I don’t think you’ve accomplished what you set out to do.
Remember, we’re aiming for what you can accomplish in the next seven days to keep you moving forward.
I know you’ve heard it before but I think it can’t be said too much.
You’re not alone.
And you can do this.
Just start with three things for the next seven days and do them. And then a week from now, you can start a new list. And before you know it, you’ll have made some major progress.
You’ve got this!