How do you make the big decisions?
In yesterday’s post I gave some definitions and characteristics of an entrepreneur. There is risk of course and at times there is fear, especially when it comes to the big decisions… or at least the seemingly big decisions.
There is a decision in front of me that I am having trouble coming to an answer on and am looking for ways to make it easier to decide, yes or no.
There is the pros and cons method, there is the dart board method (at times my personal favorite!) and then there comes a moment when you know what the correct choice is an you are just afraid to make it. Looking for an excuse to not make the decision, putting off making the decision etc.
So in the end, how do you make the big decisions? What do you do to move past the fear and make the big decisions?
What is an entrepreur?
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines entrepreneur as:
“One who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise.”
And Wikipedia defines it as:
An entrepreneur is a person who has possession of an enterprise, or venture, and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome. It is an ambitious leader who combines land, labour, and capital to create and market new goods or services.
When we decide to start a business it is very easy to not to think about the risk and look at the new opportunity through rose colored glasses. To see only the opportunity and the challenge.
You know what I don’t think that is such a bad characteristic for an entrepreneur. Read more
Why did you start a business?
Do you remember why you started a business?
There are days when it is hard to remember. My VA mentor Erin Blaskie just posted an interesting video on creating a way to a vision board for your computer desktop
This is an idea that caught my attention and made me want to give it a try. I’m adding it to my project list.
Having a reminder in front of your throughout the day will help you keep the reasons you are in business front and center. It also can be a grounding moment when you are feeling stressed out and ready to quit.
So what will be on your vision board?
What do you look for in a business coach?
In looking for a business coach I have heard some excellent advice but there is one that has struck me the most:
Work with a coach that has a business and business model that you want.
There are so many different experts and gurus out there that are talking it up and trying to convince you that their way is the best way. It is important to realize there is not just one way that works for everyone and that there is not just any one perfect answer.
So make sure that you work with someone that you want to emulate.
What is the plan for your business?
Having a plan, we hear that all the time. We hear the importance of having a plan, goals for your business and how important it is for the growth and success of a business.
But…
How many of us actually have a plan? If you have a plan is it written down? Does it have action steps? Does it account for both the long and short term?
These are questions that I have been asking myself. As I have mentioned before, 2009 is a year of growth and changes, keeping up with these changes and creating a plan that is in alignment with my values is important to me.
There is a book I read years ago that has a title that always stays with me, “Growing a Buisiness Creating a Life”. As a small business owner who works out of my home, the two are intertwined and making sure that the two align feels somewhat tricky at times.
To help me create a plan and stay on track I am thinking a business coach is a resource that I want to take advantage of.
Join me for a preview call of the Fast Track to Lifestyle Business with Melanie Benson Strick. On May 5th & 7th.
Learning by doing
Participating in the 30 blog posts in 30 days challenge with Connie Regan Green has been an interesting journey. I have found that it is a learning by doing porcess. I wasn’t sure if I would find it easy or if I would find it a difficult one, all I really knew was that it was a great way to jump start a new discipline.
Some days it is a bit more of a hunt to find a good topic an other days I come to the computer with several.
It is the development of a habit and a learning by doing process. Not knowing if one can actually do it has never stopped a small business owner. In fact it is a necessary trait. Taking a risk, pushing out of your comfort zone is how businesses and great ideas are born, created and made successful.
What different areas in your business have you learned by doing?
All I know about being a leader I learned from Stargate: SG-1
Yep that is me, the Sci-Fi Geek, especially of the Stargate TV series, SG-1, Atlantis and the soon to be launched Universe. (Yes I am biased, a fan before it even launches)
But there are some valuable lessons to be learned from a show like this:
You need a strong leader, gotta love Col. Jack O’Neill (that’s 2 L’s – if you love the show like I do, that one will make sense 
)
- A strong leader knows what the objective is, what the mission plan is and what steps need to be taken.
- An effective leader also knows how to delegate to the team and take advantage on their expertise.
- A respected leader trusts the team to get the job done, to ask for help when needed and do what it takes to move the project, sorry, I mean mission- forward.
- A good leader has a sense of humor. It is not healthy to be so serious all the time and a sense of humor goes a long way in keeping things interesting and never boring.
- An effective leader also knows when to take a break. Col. O’Neill loves fishing in Minnesota (in a pond without any fish don’t ya know). He understands the importance of getting away from the intensity of the job and recharge and refuel.
These are just a few insights into the type of leader I want to be.
- What about you, what type of leader do you want to be?
- Who are the leaders you would like to emulate?
Do you have procedure written out for common tasks?
As I start to build my team and create plans for the future, I am being reminded how important processes and procedures are to efficiency and communication.
I have been so anti-proceedure in the past, check lists yes to help me remember all the areas to consider, but step by step instructions? No way too constricting. And… I hear this from my clients as well.
Many of my clients are highly creative, go with the inspiration of the moment, my like me! The thought of being forced to follow a set of procedures will curb the flow of creativity. I was in the same boat. Read more
Tuesday is the new Monday
This article came into my inbox yesterday through the blog Unclutterer. The headline reads:
Tuesday at 11:45 is most stressful time of the week, survey suggests
At first I dismissed the idea but then I started looking at my own work schedule and realized that it is probably more accurate then I realize.
My Monday’s are spent offsite working at my client’s office and most of the day it is fairly calm. When I get back to my office Monday night and then especially Tuesday morning, that is when the intensity starts. Read more
Monday: Shopping cart tip
Setting up a shopping cart can be a daunting task. As a Certified Strategist through Practice Pay Solutions I have been grateful for the in depth training I have received in using the Professional Cart Solutions (aka 1ShoppingCart, Cartville, Easy Web Automation).
Through the training and working with the carts of many different people I firmly believe that how you set it up and organize in the beginning makes a huge difference later down the road as you grow and add more products and auto responders. Read more
