Are you chasing the right things? What exactly are those things?
If you are anything like me, the days go by fast and often I think “did I do anything of importance today?” Did I help anyone? Did I learn something new? Did I forgive? Did I fulfill commitments? Does my to-do list have anything that really matters on it?
It’s a great reminder to focus on what matters. Have you ever taken a picture and you KNEW it was the perfect shot as soon as you clicked the shutter and you get back home, load it to the computer, wait for it to download and then pull it up big only to find that your focus was off? The composition was spot on. The exposure was ideal for the light and mood. But because the focus was off, chances are good it’s not a keeper.
Your business and life are the exact same. You could be chasing and catching a lot of great skills, goals, and accomplishments but are they the right skills, goals and accomplishments for you right now? Just because a lighting workshop is on sale or a great workshop is coming to your area, doesn’t mean that it’s the right one for you right now. And it very well may be. Just be picky with your time. Be picky with your resources. Be picky what you spend your money on. Protect your resources and even more so, your energy. Many of us are parents who also wear hats of PTA, volunteer, chauffeur, cook, teacher, coach, spouse, maid, etc and our time and energy are precious.
I started my business with a customer-service mentality. I came from other customer service jobs and understand that making the client happy is the key to success. I would do ANYTHING to keep a client. I would miss dance recitals, skips family picnics, give up holiday festivities or holidays themselves because someone else needed me then. I was putting my customers first. Good business, right? And I was unhappy, stressed, exhausted, burnt out and letting down those who really mattered to me. Many of those clients didn’t have a clue I was making sacrifices for them and frankly many didn’t care. If they didn’t care about me, why was I making them my priority? A few years ago I took back control of my life and business. Guess what happened? My business has continued to grow. I don’t resent my clients. I only missed one ball game this last year. My children know they can count on me. My clients respect my time and book early to ensure the date they want. I’m looking forward to sessions instead of wishing I was elsewhere.
Last year I made a list of my top 3 priorities in life:
- Family
- Religion
- Clients
Each time a choice has to be made and it interferes with one of these things, the answer is no. If the conflict is between two of these things on the list, the higher priority takes the win. I’ve gotten good at saying “I’d love to, BUT unfortunately I’m not available that day.” “That sounds like so much fun, but I’m unavailable then.” Saying NO (in a nice way) has been the most empowering thing I’ve done for me and my business EVER! Don’t be afraid to protect the limited time you have each day and make the most of it.
Simply said… say YES to the right things.
Share any thoughts you have in the comments. 😉 Love to hear if you’re in this place or have been.
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