Getting back to business after a break, holiday, illness or taking time out? This short, snappy video will help you get ready, set and progress.
1. Get Ready
- Are you ready? Have you had time out – and have you been able to wind down? Or do you need to take a few days of rest so that you’re really relaxed and re-energised and can give 100%? If need be take time to catch up on sleep, have the right things to eat and feel re-energised and ready to start back and press ahead.
- Ready for business: Clear your desk; sort your filing systems; sort and order any stock; clear your emails; organise your computer files and clear your desktops screen. Make sure that everything is organised, systemised and simplified to save you time. This will clear your head, clear your desk, focus your mind and help you be more productive and efficient.
2. Get Set
- Set your sights: What’s your vision, mission and purpose? What precisely do you want to achieve from your business, and why? As with any journey you need to know where you’re going, for what purpose and how you’re going to get there. Revisit your strategy or write one. It need not be long 2 pages will do it. If you’d like one there’s a 2-page business plan template in Soul Trader – and you can get if for free on www.soul-trader.biz in the free membership area.
- Set your goals: Your strategy should include SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Assigned/agreed, Realistic and Timed / time related). Tip: Have goals for1) three years, 2) next year and 3) the rest of this year. Start with the long-term and work back. Have clear goals for what you want / need to achieve including a) finances b) marketing / promotion and c) management / operations.
Tip: Make your goals for this quarter very specific and focused. I recommend limiting it to the 2-3 things that will the biggest positive impact on your business. But also set or revisit your goals for the next 1, 3 and 5 years.
- Set your timetable: How are you going to manage your time? How will you stay focused day to day? It may help to divide your days and weeks between key marketing, operations / management and finance-related tasks. What time of the day / week are you best to tackle these tasks. Schedule them in to your physical or online diary. If you don’t have a diary or some sort of a planner, then get one.
- Set time aside:
1) To review and fine-tune your goals, progress, opportunities, challenges and priorities – 10 minutes a week is a good start.
2) For you, loved ones, pastimes and rest time. Life shouldn’t be all about work and there will be risks to your health, relationships and productivity if you don’t take the time out you need.
3. Go….
Now that you’re ready and set, it’s time to go for it.
- Give 100%: From serving a customer to giving a pitch presentation. Be engaging, empowering, enabling, informed, interesting and interested.
- Go out more / be outgoing: Don’t be shy; network in person and online. Ensure that you build a strong presence and clear messages personally, online, via social media and with contacts and clients.
- Go for it: Be personable, professional and proactive. Look for and spot opportunities – develop a dialogue with and listen to customers, contacts and potential collaborators.
Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, speaker and business / corporate coach. He is also author of Soul Trader, founder of Soul-Trader.biz (the resource for sole traders and mindful / heart-centred business owners) and life & business coach partner to the British Library Business & IP Centre.
Join Rasheed at his monthly Networking for Success event for sole traders at the British Library.
Catch our “Back to work, back to business” webinar.
