Growing your business when you’re already busy

Hello there, fellow small business dynamos!

I feel your hustle because, like you, I’m not only here to support my clients but also to manage my own business, marketing efforts, and team coordination. And don’t even get me started on the never-ending whirlwind of family and household responsibilities we all share!

We all know people who boast about being busy all of the time- being in that mental space will just cause exhaustion. Gone are the days of wearing that busy badge of honour. I’m here for the people who want to work smarter, achieve balance and create space in their days to be the best version of themselves. Let’s build businesses that we are proud of, and that set a good example for our children; stop limiting yourself, read on and let’s create your dream lifestyle.

Can you relate to this scenario? You’ve embarked on the thrilling journey of creating and building your business, and now you’re standing at a crossroads. You could maintain your current level, reluctantly turn down opportunities, or set up a waiting list – but something doesn’t sit right about any of these choices. Saying no is tough, and you want to avoid disappointing people. So, more often than not, you say yes, leading to being swamped, stressed, and unsure about your next steps.

You know, as a business owner;

your offering is ACE – and you could do so much more
there are more effective ways of doing things
marketing your business has gone by the wayside
your response time with struggling
your well-being is being compromised

Well, my friends, here’s a game plan for you – my seven steps to seizing control of your business and taking it to new heights.

Step 1: Take Stock

Get a clear picture of where you stand. It’s time for a list; jot down your strengths, the tasks you enjoy, the ones you finish, those that never shift from your to-do list, and where you fall short. No need to overthink it; just get everything down on paper.

Step 2: Identify Time-Consumers

Which tasks on your list eat up most of your time? Chances are, they’re the ones you dread. Reflect on your day – how much time do emails, marketing, invoicing, and admin devour? And how much time do you spend delivering the service your business is built on?

Step 3: Tackle Your To-Do List

While outsourcing tasks you don’t enjoy is tempting, budget constraints and trust concerns can hold you back. Take a closer look at your lists. Can you handle tasks that don’t eat up too much time and that you’re good at? Explore productivity-enhancing apps like Trello, Dubsado, Asana or ClickUp. I’ve got a whole arsenal of these tools for various tasks; reach out if you need recommendations for a specific task.

Step 4: Delegate Strategically

Your lists should make it clear which tasks are draining your time and energy. Bet you there’s someone out there who can handle those tasks for you. This not only frees up your time and mental space but could also boost your revenue.

Worried about finding the right person? If you never try, you’ll never know. Just ask – ask your network on social media, your friends who are business owners – just ask the question. Forget no news is good news – people love to recommend services, people and platforms that have helped them in the past. (Over 70% of my client base is from recommendations.. #justsaying)

Investing in your business by outsourcing will elevate your income, giving you time, space and energy to focus on the core of your business, the part that you love.

Step 5: Embrace a New Mindset

You don’t have to be an expert in every aspect of your business. Embrace the power of asking for help. No one expects you to understand the tax system inside out; that’s why we have accountants. It’s the same for marketing; you don’t have to keep up with all the new features and best practices; use someone that can. Over time, it becomes second nature. Just know – it’s ok to ask for help. It makes us stronger.

Step 6: Make the Most of Their Expertise

Start by outsourcing a few tasks each week. As trust grows, so will the tasks you entrust. A reliable VA/OBM will spot opportunities for improvement and suggest ways to save even more time. Ask them about industry developments or recommendations they might have – their experiences can be gold mines of insights.

Step 7: Breathe and Thrive

You’re not alone anymore – you’ve got a team or a wing-woman by your side—someone who’s invested in your success and ready to shoulder some of the load. You can take a moment to relax and know that someone else is there to take the strain. Now that you’re not overwhelmed use your newfound time to steer your business towards growth, accommodate more clients, and embrace new opportunities.

So, lovely business owners, what stage are you at in your venture? Are you aiming to grow, or are you content where you are? Does the thought of expansion and building a team excite you?