It's amazing that you've managed to make such a success of your business - but at what price? If you're finding yourself stressed, torn between your work and your personal life, and at risk of burnout, then now is the time to make some changes. It is absolutely possible to have a thriving business and also have time for everything (and everyone) else in your life. Whether you want to use your time off to play with your kids, travel the world, or binge watch Netflix, it's important to design a business that fits around those priorities - rather than the other way around.
Here's what you'll need to get to where you want to be:
1. The right business model
You may have started with a certain way of working - freelancing, consulting, working with clients on a one-to-one basis - but, as the saying goes, "what got you here won't get you there". To get more from less, you must start leveraging your time more effectively. That might mean, for example, launching an online course, creating a group programme, or considering other more 'passive' income streams.
2. Ruthless prioritisation
It's easy to get caught up in 'busy work' and churn through endless to-do lists, never feeling like you've done 'enough'. You need to take a step back from the daily grind and look at the big picture, reviewing your financials, your clients and your projects, your marketing channels, and so on, to see what's working and what's not. Get crystal-clear on where you should be spending your time and energy to get results.
3. Effective delegation
Even when you've done all the prioritisation that you can, and you have a singleminded focus on the strategies and tasks that will really make a difference in your business, there are still only so many hours in the day. You'll need to start building a small team or at least start outsourcing admin, social media scheduling, and other repetitive tasks so that you can spend your time on driving the business forward.
"Don't confuse having a career with having a life."
- Hillary Clinton
In the meantime, I recommend getting started with these resources...
I've selected these specific podcast episodes to help you get started:
- How to not lose sight of your big picture vision in your day-to-day life Listen on Apple podcasts >>
- Creating systems in your business Listen on Apple podcasts >>
- Why you need to start outsourcing – even as a solopreneur Listen on Apple podcasts >>
- Why and how to start leveraging your time Listen on Apple podcasts >>
- Getting the financials right for creating freedom and flexibility in your business Listen on Apple podcasts >>
Working for yourself can be a lonely business and it's incredibly powerful to 'find your tribe', the people who understand exactly what you're going through.
The One Step Outside Facebook group is a community of like-minded business owners who are similarly working on reimagining what ‘success’ looks like for them in their business.
Celebrate your wins and frustrations, get advice from other entrepreneurs and freelancers and vote for your favourite topics for the monthly live training where you can get answers to your questions when you get stuck!
Ready to build and scale your business to achieve everything you dreamed of when you started - without sacrificing your personal life (and your sanity!) to do so?
This is a mastermind for entrepreneurs, freelancers and small business owners who want to create a long-term sustainable brand and business.
It's a membership programme where you'll get ongoing coaching, mentoring and training to help you refine your business fundamentals, grow your audience, and set the parameters that will make the business work for you in the long term.
Want to work with me one-on-one and get my eyes and hands directly on your business as we partner together to identify the right strategy for the results you want?
When you're ready to step things up in your business, there's nothing like having a mentor, cheerleader and accountability partner alongside you.
We will design a programme 100% tailored to your specific personal and professional situation, the nature of your business, and your individual aspirations.