The work of the business owner
This is the second post in the series of The Ten Priorities: Laying the Foundations for a Great Business and Life. The second Priority is about Doing Nothing. The introduction to this series on The Ten Priorities is here.
What do you think is the best use of your time?
The other question I sometimes ask my clients is: What do you think is the best use of your time?
And of course, people generally walk into that little trap just as blissfully unaware as the trap I set in Priority #1.
And of course, people generally walk into that little trap just as blissfully unaware as the trap I set in Priority #1. People will mention delegating, sales, customer service, marketing, planning, leadership, quality control, systems, financial management, coaching staff, you name it. Every function in the business has at some time been offered as the answer to my question.
The answers is : No – Thing
But the most important use of your time is: No – Thing… The most valuable thing you can do with your time as a business owner is to put your feet up on the desk and do nothing for an hour. No phone, no email, no interruptions… and THINK. There is the work of the business, and then there’s the work of the business owner. The work of the business can often be delegated or outsourced. But the work of the business owner can only ever be done by you. And thinking, reflecting, day-dreaming even, is the ultimate work of the business owner. (More about doing nothing here) When you make the conscious decision to get rid of all other distractions for a while, your brain will blossom, you’ll start to think more clearly, you’ll be creative and resourceful again and you’ll suddenly see opportunities and solutions you never saw before. Go to a café, go for a walk, go and sit on a bench in a park… and do … nothing … It will transform your business… I promise you There is a great article on Business Insider about the benefits of doing nothing but thinking here For more resources, and reading on strategies for growing your business follow this link to the first of The 7 Big Questions that all small business owners want answered
Next week, Priority #3: Having Fun
Time management and Overwhelm and the 7 Big Questions of Small Business
Business owners frequently ask 7 Big Questions about how to Build a Beautiful Business and Life.
The third of the 7 Big Questions is: How do I get unstuck in my business?
To get unstuck and free yourself of the whirlpool, I have identified “6 questions about being Overwhelmed in business.”
The fourth of those Questions about getting unstuck is: How can I manage my time better? (And get the important stuff done in my business). This is one of many more articles on this site that explain how Time management and Overwhelm hang together, in some depth.
Download my free 12 Question Cheat-sheet to help you find your next Coach.