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Be honest, if I take a peek at your calendar, what will it reveal about your priorities, commitments, and goals? And what would it say about how much you value your time and even your sense of self-worth?
Your calendar can make or break the success of your business.
Why?
Because where and how you spend your time determines the results you will ultimately create.
For example, if you’re busy taking care of your family while getting your business off the ground, you’re likely to only have an hour or so each day to spend on marketing.
What often happens is just as you sit down to write your ezine or make calls to get booked to speak, you get a call that one of your kids is sick at school, or a friend calls to ask you for some advice, or a relative calls, thinking that since you’re not working a ‘real job’ you’re available to arrange an upcoming family gathering.
With only a few minutes left of that hour you had set aside, you realize you don’t have time to accomplish anything so you might as well chat a bit on Facebook before giving up for the day all together.
Here’s why this happens: while men typically find it easy to approach business with the mindset of “don’t interrupt me, I’m working”, women naturally default to a mindset of “I’m here for whoever needs my help”.
Which shows up as putting everyone else’s priorities first (reflecting a need to be needed), or operating from a belief that if you’re not being helpful, you’re in some way not being ‘nice’.
Is it possible to take control of your calendar and still be available for the people you love? If there were one tip you could implement today to solve the calendar madness you face every day, what would it be? And most of all, how do you stay focused when everyone around you seems to need your attention at the same time?
Here are my favorite best-practices tips on getting control of your calendar (can you guess which is my favorite?).
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Tell your family when you’re working that unless the house is on fire, you are not to be disturbed, and stick to it. |
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Set up the rule that when you’re working, someone else is in charge (for example, your hubby/partner, a neighbor, a sitter). You’re not a “bad mommy” if you’re not available 24/7 — you’re a woman who respects herself and her time, which sets the stage for others to do the same. |
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Put your business priorities into your calendar ahead of time (I recommend a minimum of 30 minutes per day invested in outreach marketing, along with 30 minutes per day spent on profit projects, such as creating new programs, writing marketing copy, etc.). |
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Let your calendar run your day (instead of letting your day run your calendar). If everything you need to do has a time spot in your calendar and you use your calendar as your daily guide, you’ll eliminate your to-do list and create peace in your day. |
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Stop worrying about hurting someone’s feelings if you say no. You are not required to be at everyone’s beck and call 24/7. They’ll get over it and you’ll have your freedom in the process. |
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People treat you as you let them. Prioritize being respected over being ‘nice’ and you’ll gain both love and self-esteem at the same time. |
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Throughout your day, ask yourself if how you’re spending your time is your priority or someone else’s. If your answer starts with, “Yes, but…” then it’s someone else’s which means it’s time to say no. |
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Every no opens a door of opportunity…for you and for the person you’re saying it to. Remember this the next time you’re tempted to feel guilty. |
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Prioritizing the needs of your business doesn’t make you selfish or a bad person…it makes you clear and someone to respect and value. |
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Make your calendar the “bad guy”. For example, if someone asks you to take on a family project when you know you need to work on your business simply say, “I’m sorry but my calendar won’t accommodate me taking on that project.” |
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Just because someone asks doesn’t mean you have to say, “yes”. For example, if you’ve decided to speak for groups of 25 and larger, and you’re asked to speak for a group of 5 in someone’s living room, thank them for thinking of you, and let them know what your parameters are. Trust me, they’ll be impressed at your clarity and they’ll think of you again when the right opportunity comes up. |
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Feeling badly about saying “no” isn’t a reason to avoid it. It’s simply an indicator you need more practice. |
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Add up how much income you could create in 60 days simply by prioritizing working on your business (without interruption) 60-minutes each day. In one year how much does that add up to? And how many people would you be serving in your business? |
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Have faith that the boundaries you put into place now will only feel uncomfortable for a short period of time. Very quickly, they’ll become second nature to you and the impact you create in your business as a result (plus the respect and peace you’ll be creating in your household) are priceless! |
Trying to find your value by being at the beck and call of others leaves you permanently vulnerable to questioning your worth and puts you at the mercy of everyone else’s needs and priorities.
Instead, you can create a deep connection to your value by treating your time with love and respect. You can do it!
