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Well, no one said it would be easy - but it doesn’t have to be that hard
I panicked recently when I read that the recommended blog post length is 2500 words. 2500 words.
Nope, nah and nuh-uh.
So, I may not reach the number one spot on Google, but to be honest that’s not what I’m here for. The idea of having a blog is so that I can offer you a bit more value than I can on Instagram, to be able to talk you through some of the resources you’ll find on the site and also to give some food for thought and encouragement. I didn’t want to give up before I’d even started.
But there is a lot to starting, growing and running a business beyond the actual core function, like social media and blogging, and many of us have other demands on our time too. It’s all too easy to feel shell shocked and overwhelmed when you look at the task ahead and try to imagine how you, alone, will make it happen.
“55% of women cite fear of going it alone as a primary reason for not starting a business” according to the NatWest Rose Review, and it’s completely understandable, because if you expect to do it all without support, you are preparing to take on a monumental task.
But how do we go about setting priorities and knowing what to outsource?
Overwhelm
It’s been a big couple of years for me; I’ve moved country, been apart from my husband, given birth, homeschooled, changed career direction and now launched a new business - to name but a few things. And it’s all been made harder by the fact that 2020 was the year we learnt the word Covid.
I doubt that any of us have sailed through the last few years without tackling a major life event, even without the pandemic, and I’m sure I’m not alone in completely reassessing what I’m doing with my life and being frustrated at making slow progress.
That I’ve managed to get to this point isn’t just thanks to my moxie! I got the support I needed in the areas I needed it, and I’ve learnt some very valuable skills along the way - they’ve even shaped my service.
Structure
When I decided to take the leap and create a business uniquely for women, I knew I could deliver on all the tangible goods - like strategy, design and marketing - but with my mind buzzing with ideas and juggling home life and learning new skills I could barely start, much less imagine a finish line. It started to feel a bit like pie in the sky {sound familiar?}..
I need some help organising my thoughts, so reached out to a wonderful life coach, who helped me find structure and process and has completely changed my approach.
For me the structure came in the form of SMART goals. I don’t have a problem setting goals, in fact I have a nasty habit of being too rigid and end up being disappointed, but as we worked through my struggles each week, my coach would get me to set them out using this very prescribed approach.
SMART stands for:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-bound
When you use this as a template when setting targets, you're increasing the chances of success - by identifying the measurement of its success and setting a roadmap - as well as establishing priorities by making it time-bound and determining how relevant it is.
For example:
“I need to create a workshop”
vs
“I need to create a workshop, so I will secure childcare three days a week, and dedicate my time over the next month to creating a series of 9 exercises based on a mindmap of my process which will act as the main element of the branding.”
With this structure in place I was able to stay motivated and without the panic; I wouldn’t be talking to you now otherwise! I’ll admit I’ve had to move the posts when things didn't go to plan or I got thrown a curveball, but it was a case of adjusting the goal rather than abandoning it.
The irony that I preach the importance of structure in your branding, hasn’t escaped me. I just didn’t know how to apply it to other things, like goal setting, but I saw first hand how it helps you navigate the long run and how it takes the pressure off {and also where I discovered the impact of coaching!}.
Knowing this really drove home it’s value and made it essential for me to include a clear structure into my offering. So that is how the 3 System Solution came about, to bring structure to launching, to make it achievable and manageable without overwhelm.
Reaching out
While this tactic will help you keep track of what needs to be done, it doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself.
The internet is very good at leading us to believe that success can come overnight... it’s simply not the case. There’s a big push, for entrepreneurs in particular, to be more transparent about the amount of work, dedication and time it took to get to where they are. They should also be clear about how many people were involved - chances are they didn’t really launch an 8 figure business from their kitchen table in isolation.
As you set out your SMART goals and see what needs done, you should also be honest about what elements you are best placed to tackle yourself and which you can outsource. Yes, outsourcing requires a degree of investment but try to weigh up a few things:
• Do I have the skills to do this job?
• Is my time better spent elsewhere {is this going to take me away from my core functions for a period that it will start to be costly}?
• What impact does this job have on my business {does outsourcing mean I can get to where I want to be faster}?
• How long would it take to earn back my investment?
Beit business strategy, branding strategy, accountancy, employment law… You don’t need to know it all yourself, be selective about the team you build around you and lean on them so you can start ticking off that list of goals!
As for me… I’ve put my money where my mouth is and have a wonderful tribe giving me support to get it all done. I’ve checked my expectations and set my goals and fully intend to prioritise creating content which, I hope, will prove useful to you.
