Do You Work "On" Your Business?

This past week I spoke at two women’s networking groups.  At each I asked the question, “Do you set aside time to work ON your business?”.  At one talk I was asked for clarification.  “Do you mean, do we leave white space in our calendar?”  To which I answered, that depends.  

You see, I used to use the white space method to leave time to work ON my business but it didn’t work for me.  Why?  That’s because someone would ask me for time to meet and I would see the white space and schedule a meeting there.  Or I’d be exhausted from such a busy week and would just decide to do nothing.  I quickly learned that the work that needed to be done for my business wasn’t happening.  Now, I put intentional appointments in my calendar for the work I know needs to be done and then the white space truly is white space.  For others who aren't wired the way I am, the white space method does work.  The reason it doesn't work for me is because I’m a very social person and I thrive on interactions with others.  I much prefer to be meeting with someone than to be doing things by myself.  (Remember that SWOT Analysis I mentioned last week?  Did you download Ch. 4 in my book and do yours? If not, here’s the link again.)

Working ON your business simply means doing the things that need to be done for your business to function.  This includes things as simple as keeping track of mileage and receipts, as well as things like taking time to contemplate which revenue stream is performing the best for you.  It also includes time to deepen your knowledge about your area of expertise and reaching out to key people (past clients, referral partners and current clients) just to say hi.  Clients in my Marketing Morsels Coaching Club take the 1st Thursday of each month to work ON their business at our Mastermind/Workshop.  Those in my Magnify Your Marketing program take 3 intensive days to work ON their business by developing a business and marketing plan.  So often we get bogged down with serving clients, networking and responding to emails that we lose sight of the other things that need to be done for our business to grow and be successful.   

So, next time you plan your week or your month, take time to consider the often forgotten higher level tasks (or the simply mundane ones) and set time aside for them.  As you regularly put this practice into place, you’ll start seeing positive results and be glad you did.  Comment below and tell us where you land when it comes to spending time ON your business.  I’d love to know.  ​

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Looking to build more time into your calendar to work ON your business with others? Why not join the Marketing Morsels Coaching Club. Come as a guest to our Monthly Mastermind/Workshop!  They are always the 1st Thursday of the month and the next one is next Thursday, March 2nd.  Use this link to learn more and register.  Use the code COMPLIMENTARY to come as one of my guests. (Space is limited so register right away. Registration ends on Tues, 2/28.)