Mike Michalowicz's Blog, page 15

The First Steps in Building an Unstoppable Team in Your Small Buisness



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What Do You Think About Community? The Power of Community at Work: Fueling Small Business



 

Here’s a question for you to ponder: What’s your mindset around the culture of your business? 

Let me ask in a different way: Does your office or company feel like a community?

I ask because when we think about workplace culture, you may get visions of snacks, maybe a gym membership, a pool table, or that corporate picnic you went to once. That’s not a community.

A sense of community is an often-overlooked ingredient that can transform not just your workplace, but your bottom line. A strong workplace community isn’t a warm and fuzzy concept; it’s a powerful driver of revenue, profit, and positive impact on the world of small business. 

With challenges of work-from-anywhere, flex-schedule, and generational divides, business leaders bend over backward searching for solutions that work. Building community in your company works, and creates the foundation for success for everyone.

Your team is your foundation. In small businesses, employees often become friends and family. You share challenges, celebrate victories, and support each other through thick and thin. As the leader of your team, you may wonder why this matters in the grand scheme of things.

Increased employee engagement: One of the best ways I’ve increased dedication here in my office? I am dedicated to my team. We hold meetings regarding our personal goals, how we can help each other achieve them, and what aspects of the business can enhance their goals as well. When employees feel like they are part of a close-knit community, they are more engaged in their work. They’re passionate about the company’s success and go the extra mile to achieve it. Employee retention: With buzz phrases like Quiet Quitting and The Great Resignation, it’s no secret that our employees are starting to feel like free agents. One of the results of the pandemic pause made the workforce reevaluate exactly where their time and energy goes and what the return is. When your leadership makes people feel connected to their colleagues and the company’s mission, they are less likely to look for opportunities elsewhere.Enhanced productivity: Engaged employees are more productive. They collaborate better, communicate more effectively, and take psychological ownership of their responsibilities. I’ve got a boatload of part-timers, and they produce more than I’ve seen when people work sixty-hour work weeks.

You’ll have more impact on revenue and profit.  

Improved customer experience: Employees who feel valued and part of a community are more likely to provide excellent customer service. Happy employees make for satisfied customers, leading to repeat business and referrals. When I hear my team making calls with clients, I hear the difference between a driven employee and one who is lax.Innovation and problem-solving: A tight-knit team fosters an environment where employees can feel comfortable working together and sharing ideas to solve challenges. This can lead to innovative solutions that may bolster your services.Efficient operations: A sense of community at work creates more effective communication, streamlined operations, and productivity. This leads to cost savings and profitability.

Customers see and value your sense of community in your organization. They aren’t just buying your products and services; they’re buying into your brand and values. A business that promotes a sense of community sends a clear message to its customers. When I work with people they know they’re getting the real me (mostly because of my jokes).

Authenticity: We all value authenticity – it builds trust. Customers can see when a company cares about its employees and strives to create a positive work environment. I’ve been known to show my vulnerable side, and that seems make me more relatable.Customer loyalty: When clients see that your employees are treated well, they know they will be treated the same and will return for business over and over.Positive reputation: People like companies that prioritize community and social responsibility. It’s a win-win.

Extend your reach.

The benefits of a strong company extend beyond it. Small businesses that prioritize community are part of something larger.

Economic growth: When your company thrives, you are contributing to the local economy, stimulating economic activity and prosperity.Social responsibility: Small businesses that care about their employees and communities set an example for larger corporations and inspire positive change in the market. We began donating a portion of our sales to Kiva.org, an organization that crowd-funds for underserved entrepreneurs. We feel good about that and love that we may inspire others to do the same.Environmental impact: Another aspect we love about our company is that we have an in-house “green leader”. Erin, my scheduling manager, has a refill business and has enlightened us all on the best ways we can serve our environment. Whether you have an Erin or not, establishing a community in your company will influence you all to adopt more sustainable practices and contribute to a greener world, and that will resonate with those you serve, too.

Fostering a sense of community in your business is more than some feel-good endeavor. It’s a strategic move that drives revenue, boosts profit, enhances client experience, and can create a positive ripple effect in the world. It’s about creating a workplace where your team thrives, customers feel valued and communities flourish. As a small business owner, you have the power to shape not only your success but the success of the world around you. 

Let’s do it. Let’s build stronger communities, one small business at a time.

Wishing you health and wealth always.

– Mike

If you want to make sure that you’re doing all you can to lead your business and help your team become absolutely unstoppable, stay tuned! My team and I will be rolling out tons of fresh new content related to my new book, All In. You can preorder it here.

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Do You Need to Fire Some Clients? Cultivating Profitability in Your Small Business



All entrepreneurs know how exciting it is to get customers and clients. The challenge comes when you have to manage them. They’re diverse, their needs are shifting in a new market, and many are in different stages of growth. 

What if I told you that more isn’t more? Sometimes, letting go of those smaller clients can be the key to unlocking greater profitability and success. I’ve learned that growth doesn’t “yes” to every opportunity. In fact, saying “no” may make room for something, well, better.

It took me a while, but I finally learned a lesson years back – from pumpkin farming, of all things. The idea (and this is pretty much universal), is that nurturing something to become the best it can be may mean you have to let go of some of the smaller things that get in the way. For instance, a pumpkin farmer will tell you that growing a colossal pumpkin is to select the strongest seedlings, focus your attention on them, and ruthlessly prune away the weaker ones. The same principle applies to your business. 

The Tale of Two Clients

Let’s consider two clients: Client A and Client B.

Client A is a large, established company. It provides consistent and substantial revenue. They respect your expertise, are pleasant to work with, and present opportunities for growth. 

Client B, on the other hand, is a smaller client. They demand a significant amount of time and attention but contribute to only a fraction of your overall revenue. They may be high maintenance, slow to pay, or have unrealistic expectations.  

The Pumpkin Principle in Action

Now let’s apply the Pumpkin Plan method to your small business.

Select the strongest seedlings: In this case, Client A is the sturdy and promising seedling. It has the potential to grow into a massive client that sustains your business for years to come. Focus your attention: Invest your energy, time, and resources into nurturing Client A. Understand their needs, anticipate their demands, and consistently overdeliver exceptional service. Prune away: Tough decision time. Client B, while not inherently bad, is holding you back from focusing on healthier opportunities. It’s time to let them go or at least transition them to a more self-sufficient service model. 

 

The results? A thriving small business. 

By letting go of some unhealthier clients and focusing on the ones who have more potential, you free up valuable resources and bandwidth. This newfound capacity can be channeled into strategic growth initiatives that further improve the quality of service for remaining clients, and attract more like-minded, lucrative partnerships.  As an added bonus, when you specialize in serving your top clients, you’ll become the expert in your niche. That reputation will open doors to more and more high-value opportunities. 

I know that it can be tough to say goodbye to some clients. Remember that by doing so, you’re paving the way for a more fulfilling and prosperous small business journey. So dig deep, prune wisely, and cultivate profitability. The seeds of success are within reach.

Wishing you health and wealth.

-Mike

Want an easier way to understand The Pumpkin Plan? You can get the LIT videobook and access to tons more when you get your all-access pass. Get it here now.

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Your Social Media Mindset – How to Implement and Organize the Power of Social Media in Your Small Business

It’s no secret that social media is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can be an effective tool for engagement and raising brand awareness. On the other, it can be a breeding ground for trolls and misinformation.

What to do?

USE IT.

I am not a huge fan of tracking my every muscle movement via social media. But, I’ve found how to make social media work for me and my small business. 

It started with my mindset. I had to take a step back and ask myself how I wanted to approach social media. I got to work making a list of what my goals for my business were, how I would represent my small business brand, and how much I would market my offerings. Most of all, I had to clear my mind and tune out the thousands of posts I was scrolling through every day. I wanted to influence without being an influencer. I didn’t want to be beholden to social media, be like anyone else, or just as bad – have no one notice me at all. 

Most of all, I just wanted to find new opportunities to serve.

Once I organized my goals and expectations of social media, I began to see the puzzle fall into place the way I hoped. I realized that when done right, social media marketing is a small business owner’s best friend. First of all, it’s free (unless you’re doing sponsored posts), you can reach a lot of people at once, and you can engage with them to build relationships and trust. 

Here are some pointers that I consider in my own small business social media marketing strategies. I’ve also included how my team organizes and implements our social media process:

How you approach social media depends on your mindset: Take a step back before creating content and focus on your mindset. Remember that you’re the expert in your business, but also remember that how you feel comes through when you communicate in any forum. I know that on days I’m feeling positive that it’s translated in my messaging. Now, you have to balance this because you don’t want to engage in toxic positivity, but remember your posts are not your personal journal, and that you are there to support the needs of your clients and customers.Your why: What is your mission? Who are you, who are you serving, and what problem can you help them solve so they can meet their goals or experience a transformation? I want to eradicate entrepreneurial poverty, so most of my output supports that.Pumpkin Plan your strategy: I take methodologies from the Pumpkin Plan and apply them to my social media strategy. By auditing what you don’t need and getting rid of the noise, you make more impact. For instance, if you have a big webinar coming up, don’t bombard your audience with a promotion a day. Consider one or two leading up to the webinar with a last call the day of. Call to action: You don’t have to focus on sales in every post but do offer something to people, even if it’s a laugh. I like to make sure that each week I post supportive information and resources at no cost, as well as offerings that I know will support my fellow small business owners. Be sure to add your links and clear directions.Social listening and engagement: Use analytics to gather data on the performance of your social media posts and on what platforms. Engage (or have an assistant engage) in the comments, and note what your audience’s needs are. This is social listening – monitoring how your prospective customers feel and what they need so you can serve them better than anyone else. They will feel understood and will trust you to meet their needs.Implementation: Nitty gritty time. Here’s how our implementation goes in a nutshell:Choose a theme: Get your social media or marketing team together to discuss a monthly or weekly theme. Base the theme on what will help you meet your quarterly or annual goal. As an example, if I have a book launch, I will begin posting about subjects from the book months in advance. I want to show how the book will be valuable to readers.  If I have a workshop coming up, we post about that, and so on. Remember that people get sold to all day long, so jazz your strategy up and remember to post about part of your life, current events, or something you love that has nothing to do with sales.Mix it up: If you see the same thing over and over you’re going to tune it out, right? This is your opportunity to show who you are. Break the expectation of perfectionism, because that’s what audiences struggle with. Social media usually illustrates attractive, picture-perfect scenarios, but we all know that’s not reality. And, regular marketing posts don’t really allow space for you to show your personality or values. Of course, those things come through in your business style, but sometimes people want to see that you’re a flawed human. Once a week or so I get personal with posts from home, with my wife, on the road, with my kiddos, and even in my garden.Use a social media calendar: We have used a couple of platforms but so far we like Monday the best to create a calendar of posts. From there we use Sprout to schedule posts out months in advance. Be nimble: It’s important to be nimble in all facets of your business, including social media. Scheduling in advance will keep your social media strategy organized. At the same time, allow for edits and additions. What you scheduled yesterday may change

So, what’s your approach to social media? If you harness the power of it, your marketing can improve exponentially. 

Wishing you health and wealth always.

-Mike

PS – Here’s some fun news: The videobook for the Pumpkin Plan is out now! Get your LIT membership here and enjoy major bonuses!

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Organizing Your Cash Flow with Mike Michalowicz

Summer is coming to a close, and for some, it means a big ramp-up into the old routine and the hustle and bustle that goes along with it.

But wait!

Take a moment to look at how you’re jumping back into things. Is the old normal good enough?

The best thing you can do for yourself and your business is to get organized. 

I know, say it ain’t so. But when you clean out your closet, man, does that feel good or what? You know where everything is. Heck, it’s even color-coordinated at first.

Since I’m no closet organizer, I thought I’d share some expertise that I do have. Here are some strategies I use to organize my cash flow. 

No surprise here but I like to review my accounts on the regular, and you better believe I implement Profit First. If you’re not familiar with the system, this blog is for you (and, if you do use Profit First, you may want to revisit it).

The  Profit First methodology involves a unique approach to financial management that aims to prioritize profitability in your business from the start. The key idea is to allocate your revenue into different buckets or accounts to ensure that you always have enough for essential expenses, taxes, and profit, rather than focusing solely on expenses as many traditional accounting systems do. Here’s a quick start guide to support you in  implementing the Profit First system:

Read and understand the book: Before you start implementing the system, you may want to, you know, read Profit First. I promise I make some of it fun!  This will give you a thorough understanding of the concepts and strategies behind the system. Additionally, you can get the downloadable resources for Profit First here to make things a little easier.Set up your accounts: One of the fundamental principles of Profit First is to have separate bank accounts for different financial purposes. Typically, you should have the following accounts:Income account: This is where all your revenue goes.Profit account: Allocate a percentage of your income (e.g., 5% to 10%) to this account, which is your profit.Owner’s compensation account: Allocate a percentage for your own salary or compensation here.Tax Account: Set aside a portion of your income to cover taxes.Operating Expenses Account: The remaining money after allocating for profit, owner’s compensation, and taxes goes here to cover your business expenses.Determine those allocation percentages: Determine the allocation percentages based on your business’s financial situation. These percentages may need to be adjusted over time as your business grows or experiences changes.Implement a Rhythm: Set up a regular rhythm for managing your finances. Many businesses choose to allocate funds on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. You can automate transfers to the various accounts to ensure consistency.Cut expenses: If your current expenses exceed what’s available in your operating expenses account, it’s time to reevaluate your spending and find areas to cut back.Review and adjust: Continuously monitor your cash flow, review your allocations, and adjust them as needed. If your profit margins increase, consider increasing the percentage allocated to profit.Track and analyze: Continuously track and analyze your financial data to make informed decisions about your business’s growth and profitability.Consider Relay: Relay has officially partnered with Profit First. They’re an awesome banking platform created specifically for you to set up your accounts worry-free.Consult a Profit First Professional: If you find the process challenging or need assistance, consider working with an accountant or financial advisor who is familiar with the Profit First system. They can provide guidance and help you fine-tune your cash flow management.Stick to the system: Consistency is key to the success of the Profit First system. Commit to sticking to the allocations and financial rhythms you’ve set up.

I know that if you have yet to implement the Profit First system that can feel a bit daunting, but, I will help you gain better control over your cash flow, prioritize profitability, and ensure that you’re setting aside money for taxes and your own compensation. It may take some time to adjust to this new approach, but with discipline and dedication, it can lead to more financial stability and long-term success for your business.

I love to see my fellow entrepreneurs succeed. When you have questions, use this resource link, or email support@mikemichalowicz.com so you can leave no stone unturned – and help you sustain your business and profitability!

As always, I am wishing you tremendous health and wealth.

-Mike

To see my TEDx keynote about Profit First, and me without a beard, click here.

For your free resources, click here.

To check out Relay, the official bank platform for Profit First, click here.

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Let’s Get Personal – A Big Lesson I Learned About Mindset



 

In small business ownership and entrepreneurship, It’s easy to become so immersed in the pursuit of our dreams that we neglect the very vessel through which those dreams are realized: ourselves.

Time to get grounded and ready to bring in your last quarter without taxing your biggest asset – your well-being.

If you read Profit First, you know that I did not take this advice when I first started out. 

This isn’t new news, but I have some additional lessons to share from that time period.

Once upon a time, I had it all. 

Then I lost it.

Now, I wouldn’t have avoided this crisis if I had taken care of myself, but if I had focused on my well-being more, I would have managed everything way better and it may not have gotten so dark. Protecting your well-being isn’t just a method to get you through the day, but also through a crisis. Years back, I lost my business. My house. My pride. It was taxing on my wife and kids, and my mentality. In retrospect I realize that if I had been in a routine of taking care of myself in the first place, that I would have fared better as a person. 

I’ve come to understand that achieving my goals requires not just ambition and hard work, but also a strategic approach to maintaining my mental and emotional well-being. I want to share my insights and experiences on how to avoid burnout while treading the exhilarating yet treacherous waters of the entrepreneurial journey. Here are a few things that I haven’t talked about much:

Prioritize self-care: I know, zzzzzz. You’ve heard it before. “Self-care” gets thrown around constantly. But maybe there’s a reason. As entrepreneurs, we often put our businesses first, neglecting our own well-being. Remember, you are the heart and soul of your venture. Dedicate time to self-care activities that rejuvenate you – be it exercise, meditation, reading, or spending quality time with your favorite people. Just as your business needs nurturing, so do you.Set realistic boundaries: Boundaries are essential, both for your personal life and your business. Define your working hours and stick to them. Create a dedicated workspace to ensure a clear separation between work and leisure. Setting boundaries not only prevents burnout but also enhances your productivity during working hours.Embrace delegation and outsourcing: Clockwork that business of yours! As entrepreneurs, we often wear multiple hats, but trying to do it all can lead to exhaustion. Embrace delegation and outsourcing. Focus on what you do best and delegate tasks that can be handled by others. This not only relieves your workload but also empowers your team and fosters a collaborative environment.Continuous learning and growth: Just as your business evolves, so should you. Invest in your personal and professional development. Attend workshops, and conferences, and engage in online courses to stay updated and expand your skill set. Continuous learning not only keeps you engaged but also prevents stagnation, a common precursor to burnout.Cultivate resilience: The entrepreneurial journey is paved with failures, setbacks, and challenges. Resilience is your armor against burnout. Instead of viewing failures as roadblocks, see them as stepping stones toward growth. Cultivate a mindset that embraces setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement.Practice mindfulness: Yep – me again with the mindfulness lecture – because it’s now the cornerstone of my happiness. In the chaos of entrepreneurship, practicing mindfulness can be a lifesaver. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, can help you stay present, reduce stress, and enhance your decision-making abilities. Taking even a few minutes each day to center yourself can make a world of difference.

So whether it’s in your storage room massage chair (see scary video above), a walk through the woods, meditation, reading a book, sleeping, or time with a loved one, promise me now that you will take time today to recharge and hit that reset button. Then, and only then, will you be clear for take off.

Remember, you’re here for the long game. Preventing burnout is not just a necessity; it’s a strategic imperative for any entrepreneur aspiring to build a sustainable and impactful venture.

Nurture yourself today, and then make it a daily habit. 

Wishing you health and wealth always,

– Mike

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Creating Systems for Revenue Goals – And Avoid Being a One-Hit-Wonder



The pursuit of revenue is a central goal among small business owners. Traditionally, many businesses have focused solely on sales as the primary driver of income. However, a shift towards creating sustainable revenue-generating systems offers a more impactful and ethical approach, yielding benefits that extend beyond the bottom line.

1. Sustainability and Longevity: Sales-driven strategies often revolve around short-term gains, leading to a constant cycle of chasing new customers. On the contrary, revenue-generating systems are built for the long haul. By focusing on systems, businesses can establish a consistent flow of income that endures through changing market conditions, fostering stability and longevity.

2. Value-Centric Approach: Creating revenue systems encourages a shift towards a value-centric approach. Instead of focusing solely on moving products off the shelves, businesses concentrate on delivering genuine value to their customers. This fosters trust, loyalty, and positive customer relationships, laying the foundation for sustainable success.

3. Efficiency and Scalability: Revenue-generating systems are designed to operate efficiently and can be scaled without disproportionately increasing resources. This scalability ensures that growth doesn’t lead to chaos. As the systems become more refined, the business can efficiently handle larger volumes while maintaining quality.

4. Impact Beyond Profit: Focusing on revenue systems empowers businesses to make a positive impact beyond profit margins. By aligning these systems with social and environmental causes, companies can contribute to the greater good. For instance, a portion of profits can be earmarked for charitable initiatives, creating a cycle of positive change.

5. Holistic Business Strategy: Revenue systems encourage businesses to think holistically. Rather than fixating solely on sales quotas, attention is spread across various aspects of the business – from customer experience and employee satisfaction to operational efficiency and community engagement. This comprehensive strategy enhances the overall health of the business.

6. Adaptability and Innovation: Relying solely on sales numbers may hinder a business’s ability to adapt to evolving market trends. Revenue-generating systems, on the other hand, emphasize adaptability. The process of refining these systems necessitates ongoing innovation, enabling businesses to stay ahead of the curve.

7. Resilience Against Downturns: During economic downturns or unexpected disruptions, businesses entrenched in traditional sales-focused models may face severe challenges. In contrast, those with revenue systems are more likely to weather the storm. The diversified income streams these systems create can serve as a buffer against market volatility.

 

It’s not revenue, it’s systems to make the revenue into perpetuity. YES.

Wishing you health and wealth!

-Mike

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My Take on Your Goals – And a Mindset Shift to Help You Crush Them



If you know me, you know how much I love setting goals and seeing them come to fruition. I want that for you in your small business and personal life too!

The mistake I’ve made in the past is to set quarterly goals. Now, while that’s not a mistake, the way I went about them was. I assumed that if I didn’t accomplish my goals by the end of the quarter, I failed.

Let’s get real though – most of our goals are pretty big, and the deadlines we impose on ourselves aren’t always helpful. In light of this, I have changed my perspective a bit through implementing more mindfulness. Now I look at my goals as a marathon, not a sprint (and I love to sprint, darn it).

Here are a few suggestions to help you meet those grand goals of yours:

Set clear goals: Start by setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your small business. Make sure each goal aligns with your business’s mission and vision.Prioritize: Identify the most important goals that will have the greatest impact on your business. Avoid spreading yourself too thin by focusing on a few key objectives at a time.Practice Mindfulness:Stay Present: Focus on the present moment rather than dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about the future. This can improve your decision-making and reduce stress.Awareness: Develop self-awareness about your thoughts, emotions, and reactions. This helps you understand your motivations and responses to various situations.Non-Judgmental Attitude: Approach challenges with an open mind, without judging yourself harshly. Treat setbacks as learning opportunities.Allocate time wisely: Dedicate time each day or week to work on your goals. Avoid multitasking and concentrate fully on the task at hand.Practice deep focus: Engage in deep, focused work by eliminating distractions, such as turning off notifications and finding a quiet workspace. This improves the quality of your work and speeds up completion.Regular Reflection:Daily check-ins: Set aside a few minutes each day to review what you accomplished, what you learned, and what you could improve.Weekly reviews: At the end of each week, evaluate your progress toward your goals. Celebrate achievements and adjust strategies if necessary.Adapt and Flexibility: Be open to adjusting your goals based on changing circumstances or new information. Mindful flexibility allows you to respond to challenges more effectively.Practice self-care: Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is crucial. Get enough rest, eat nutritious foods, exercise, and engage in activities that rejuvenate your mind.Manage stress: When challenges arise, approach them with a calm and composed mindset. Practice techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness exercises to manage stress effectively.Approach your goals with a growth mindset: Be open to learning from mistakes, seeking feedback, and continually improving your strategies.

Remember – meeting your goals is a marathon – and I’m so grateful to be on it with you!

Wishing you health and wealth!

-Mike

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How Mindfulness Enhances Your Business Performance



August. By now you’re thinking about summer coming to an end, back to school, and the last quarter of your business. In light of this, I’m going to give you tons of resources to use to ensure your mindset is ready to usher your business into the end of the year better than ever. Here’s part of your Best Quarter Ever Kit.

I want to start with you. Yep. You. Not your sales or profit, but you. So I have a question for you:

How are you?

I mean really. How are you?

Here’s a peek at my personal routine at home. Don’t worry, there isn’t bathroom footage. Ok, just a little. When I first started my business it was the same old check my phone before I got out of bed, then get to my laptop with coffee, shower, and get to work. Do you see any time in there that would shore up my health or mindset?

The point? The point is that as entrepreneurs and small business owners, we get swept away, sometimes right out of bed, by our business goals. You know the cliche – You can’t pour from an empty cup. It’s a cliche for a reason. I used to be on the go, constantly hustling and ignoring my personal needs. Not only did my personal health suffer, but my business took a ding or two also.

You can only go so long without a good daily routine. The caveat is that entrepreneurs and business owners often think they don’t have time, or if they’re doing something that isn’t work related that they’re somehow slacking off.

Read this twice if you have to: The better you feel, the better your business will be.

In light of that, I began carving time out in the morning. My scheduling manager, Erin, even adds my workouts to my calendar (lunch too because those eating at the desk days need to be far and few between). Now in the morning, I meditate, write, work out, and then I am set for the day. The result? My stress is greatly reduced, I feel energized, I have mental clarity, and I feel far more creative. And buff. Half kidding. Also, taking some time to take care of myself in the morning means I never resent having to take care of others or my business, because my cup? Super full.

Anyway, if you have a routine and you’re thinking, “Ok dude, tell me something I don’t know”, well then I high five you from here. If you want to avoid burnout, enhance your business, and create and protect your personal peace, you must create a routine for yourself. If you think you don’t have time, then get up a few minutes earlier each day until it’s a habit, and work in a few routines that deliver so you can be more efficient in your business and carry it through this last quarter with confidence.

You’ve got this!
-Mike

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Your Best Quarter Yet – Starts With Your Mindset



Your journey of business ownership is exhilarating and challenging at the same time. You’re managing various components of your company and trying to predict markets and how your offerings fit into them, all while trying to keep your head straight. You may act like you’ve got it under control, but let’s face it, nobody’s perfect. Except my mom. 

As we head toward our last quarter, I want to see you rev your engines and make it your best quarter yet.

There’s a library of resources I can offer for your business, but the first step revolves around you. Not your business, but you, and it starts with your mindset.

Sure you’ve heard this before, but today perhaps it will land with you in a different and more impactful way. In this video, I kind of just rolled out of bed and put a hat on to show you my morning routine. I wanted to share it with you to show that I walk the walk when I’m encouraging you to take action.

When I first started my business it was the same old check my phone before I got out of bed, then get to my laptop with coffee, shower, and get to work. Do you see any time in there that would shore up my health or mindset?

If you want to avoid burnout, enhance your business, and create and protect your personal peace,  you must create a routine for yourself at some point of the day in which you can get grounded and centered. Here are a few steps to get you started:

Embrace a growth mindset – View challenges as opportunities. It’s so easy to shy away from a challenge, but everything presented to you in life is a chance to grow. And, when you encourage a growth mindset in your business, you encourage the rest of your team to improve, innovate and pivot when necessary in an ever-changing economy.Set clear goals and prioritize – Break down your long-term objectives into smaller goals. Prioritize them and remember to delegate!Ding, ding, ding! Practice mindfulness and self-care – Business ownership can be mentally taxing! That’s why it’s essential to take care of your body and mind. Incorporate relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing. Take short breaks throughout the day. Get enough sleep, exercise, water, and nutrition. Even if you’re not stressed out at the time, implementing these steps will automatically maintain balance for you.Embrace failure – Again, everything is a learning opportunity. Do you know how much spaghetti gets thrown at the wall to see what sticks? If something isn’t working, it stinks. I know. I also know, as you do, that each time “it” doesn’t work, it’s the universe giving us a chance to find the right thing that does. Celebrate progress – You worked your butt off. You experienced success. Celebrate! Take time to really appreciate and show gratitude for your wins. And, you can acknowledge what worked, and build on it later. 

If you know me, you know that I am constantly cultivating and trying to improve upon creating a balanced mindset. It takes consistency and commitment. But hey, you started a business, so you can do anything. My suggestion is to start with your morning routine. Maybe wake up a little earlier, sit outside, write a list, or a chapter, take a walk, listen to your favorite music, meditate, be in nature – whatever feeds your soul. 

When you have a healthy mindset, everything else will call into place much easier. 

Wishing you health and wealth always.

-Mike

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