Do you Feel like a Slave to Your Business?
If you feel like a slave to your business, you are not alone. That feeling of being chained to your desk is more common than you think. Worse still, feeling like a slave to your business implies a loss of control; thinking that you need to be available to your customers 24/7 and that your team can't cope without you. Instead of being the boss, you have become the victim.
Circumstances seem to have also conspired against you. Maybe Covid had a huge impact on your business and you're playing catch up.
So, what can you do to stop feeling this way? How can you get back in control? Explanations of your predicament can be seen by others as excuses. It is important to take a step back and retake Ownership, Accountability and Responsibility for your choices and actions. Remember that feeling like a slave to your business is actually a choice!
Take Action. Firstly, review and update your systems and processes. If customers are contacting you at all hours, put in place a timeframe for responding, eg. within 24-hours and communicate this with your customers. Set boundaries and stick to them.
If cash flow is an issue, review your payment terms and ensure they are being enforced.
Next, if you don't feel like you can trust your team to run your business without you, establish why this is. Do they need more training and support? Have you given them the opportunity to step up and take on more responsibility? Do you need to take on more team members or outsource some tasks?
Now is the time to reflect on what it is you wanted your business to deliver to you. Set your main goals for what you want your business and personal life to look like in 12 months. Importantly break these down into 90-day goals and actions to achieve those goals.
Regain control by answering these questions:
- Do you need to start going home on time each day?
- Do you spend enough quality time with your family?
- Do you need to stop accepting work from people who do not respect your payment terms?
- Do you need to block out calendar time to respect your health and wellbeing?
- Do you need to implement 10 strategies to grow your cash flow?
- Do you need to train and empower your team to take on more responsibility?
- Do you need more time to plan?
No more excuses – remember, it’s your business, you make the rules, choose not to be a slave!
Paul Castle is one of the UK’s leading “Life Centric Accountants,” focused on delivering Real World Profit Improvement Strategies that work, and thereby giving Business Owners the life that matches their aspirations, for themselves and their families.
Paul is a recognised expert in innovative management of business finance directed towards significant growth and the long-term wealth development of company directors. Paul understands that success goes beyond the balance sheet to the health of our family and community relationships. Paul J. Castle is a professional speaker and enjoys presenting to community and business groups on the importance of financial planning and innovation in the successful development of business particularly during challenging times. Paul is active on LinkedIn and enjoys connecting and building relationships
If you want to know more contact Paul Castle +44 019 5957 0686, https://castleheslop.com/