Written by: Amber Barry, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Starting a new business is a pretty huge adjustment. It can get a little overwhelming, and consume all of your time and energy if you let it! Developing helpful habits can help you adjust, thrive and succeed.
You may find that some habits come to you more naturally than others — this is normal! Here are some tips to make it easier for you to fine tune the habits that aren’t going so well, so you can create an unstoppable routine of productivity and progress.
Focus on what's important
Without a doubt, your to-do list is going to be long. It can feel never-ending at times because there is quite literally always something to do. This is why it's really important to learn how to triage and prioritize. I'm a nurse, so I equate this to saving lives... identify the most important thing, and do that first. Then, move on to the next, in order of urgency. Set up a daily schedule
Smart time management is absolutely crucial. Avoid the chaos by having a schedule and setting a timer for your tasks. Then, try to stick to the plan. This will help you avoid distractions and overwhelm, and it also helps you create and maintain boundaries, and be more intentional with your time. Quality over quantity
You may think that the more clients you have, the better off you are, but in reality, spreading yourself too thin leads to a whole lot of burnout. I always remind my clients (and myself too!) that it's better to have fewer, higher-paying clients, scalable offers AND streams of passive income than it is to have a ton of clients at lower price points who require your time. Having a handful of high-level clients allows you to give them the focus they deserve so you can deliver excellent results, which ultimately alleviates a lot of stress! Prioritize self care
Running a successful business is physically and mentally demanding. This is why it is SO important to take time to recharge, reenergize, and refuel with things like exercise, healthy eating, and rest. As obvious as it sounds, it's not always easy to make self care a habit when you feel like you have so many things to do! Just remember, your business will not grow if you're not at your best. Prioritize your health and well-being. Delegate
If you're a bit of a control freak like I am, this one is often the most difficult. Your business becomes your baby, and it's hard to relinquish control and let others help, because who will know your business better than you, right?! Although you may be toeing the line of superhero status, you are still a mere mortal. You can't be an expert at all things, and even if you are, you still only have 24 hours in a day. Hiring help will save your sanity if you do it the right way. Clarify your plan and identify the pieces of the puzzle you need help with, then hire an expert! This might be a bookkeeper, a graphic designer, a virtual assistant, a web developer or a business coach.
Starting a new habit isn’t easy. In fact, it takes a lot of focus and persistency in the beginning, but it's worth the effort. In time, your new habits will become more automatic, which means it requires less effort to achieve the same result. This frees up more of your time and energy in the long run, which can do wonders for your life and business!
This week, choose one of the habits outlined above and:
Commit to doing it every day for the next 2 weeks. After that, it should get a little easier.
Once it becomes more routine, repeat the same process with the next habit.
Sit back and evaluate. You should observe an improved work-life balance. If you don’t, consider how you can simplify and routinize things even further, then try again!
What's one habit you've created that you're the proudest of? Contact me to share your story!
Amber Barry, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Amber Barry is a U.S.based business strategist and consultant specializing in digital marketing, automations, and social media advertising for small businesses and startups. She is passionate about deconstructing the process of establishing and growing a business and aims to make it less overwhelming and easier to navigate for new business owners. She is the founder of Amber Barry | Digital, a digital marketing and advertising agency, and creator of The Go-Getters Club, where she offers online courses and coaching to women in business to help them maximize their marketing efforts and turn their small steps into big wins and massive momentum. She is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Health Coach by training and draws from her 12+ years of experience in health and wellness and 20+ years as an endurance athlete to help people transform their journey as business owners into an enjoyable, successful, fulfilling experience.
If you're struggling to reach your business growth goals, check out the Go-Getters Couch to $5K 12-week Training Plan. It's a one-step-at-a-time business coaching program that delivers the results you're looking for without the distractions and overwhelm, so you can finally gain the clarity, organization and marketing strategies you need to build the successful business you keep dreaming about.
