3 Tough Love Pieces of Advice for Small Business Owners

Summer is over, and it’s time to get back to work! Do you find yourself needing a bit of a kick in the butt when it comes to your business? After all, we only have about 3 months left to make our annual goals. If the answer to that question is yes, you’re not alone – and today, I’d like to share some tough love to help you and other entrepreneurs learn how to run a small business successfully.

There are times when we all need a bit of tough love, and I’m no exception. The tips I’ll share below come from both my own experience and from helping hundreds of clients develop their systems, grow their teams, and build profitable businesses.

Get Organized: Small Business Systems to Boost Efficiency

Do you ever feel like you have big goals, but somehow fall short of meeting them? Often, this is because of little things that could be better organized. This works in both your business and your personal life!

In your personal life, think of things that you could do to make the “challenging” parts of your day a bit easier. This only takes a few minutes, but it can help you in amazing ways!

• Put your shoes by the door so that it’s easy to grab them and go for a quick walk!
• Place healthy snacks or fruit in a basket on your counter or by your desk so they’re easy to grab whenever you need a pick-me-up.
• Have a water bottle next to your faucet or fridge to make it easier to get your water in. You’ll feel better when you’re hydrated!
• Light a candle and grab a book so you can settle in with something cozy (but productive) instead of hopping on social media.

The same concepts carry over into your business. How often do you put off working on your business because it’s too hard to switch gears?

• Schedule a 3-hour block to work on your business (get your EA to help you carve out time). If you need to, start with a 60 or 90-minute block and expand from there.
• Which day is best for you to meet with your coach? Reach out to get on their schedule every other week.
• Set your 90-day goals – and then create a tactical plan to help you get there.
• Take a few minutes to review your financials and set your plan to end the year strong.
• Talk to your mentor or Accountability Coach to review what’s not working. What ideas can they share to help you fix those?

Getting intentional about taking these steps will make a huge difference!

Be Open to Feedback and Change

As we all know, things around us are constantly changing. It might be changes in the marketplace, various algorithms or platforms, or the economy – but all of those things can affect your business. And as much as you might try, it’s impossible to keep up with all of them yourself.

This is part of why it’s essential to build open lines of communication with your team. When you share your vision, you’re letting them know where the company is headed and why. When you ask for and really listen to their feedback, and when you show them that you value their contributions, they’re more likely to share their insights on any potential problem areas they see as well as their proposed solutions.

This is a concept that’s fairly easy to grasp, but it’s harder to be consistent with. There will be days when you get a suggestion that seems like it’s completely out of left field – and there will be others when you’re just done and really can’t take on another project.

Trust me, I get it.

It really is essential to ensure that your team members feel comfortable coming to you though, even when you’re not at your best. Here are some tips to help you do that.

• Create a process for proposing new ideas to you. Personally, I find that receiving them in writing is easier for me to work through. I ask my team to send me a short proposal – maybe half a page – that outlines the problem they see, the proposed solution, and any notes on budget and timeline. Then, I can read through it when I’m in the right state of mind, respond with any questions, and give them a quick approval.
• If a team member brings something to you in a meeting or catches you for a “quick question”, take a moment to listen. If it’s something that can quickly be answered, do so – but if not, create a quick plan of action to hear them out. This might include asking them to send you a written proposal, or it might mean saying, “I really do want to hear more about this, and I’d love your thoughts. Could we meet on Thursday at 11?” That way, you can be fully present and prepared to hear their ideas.

If a team member brings an idea to you that you’re not quite sure of, don’t shut them down or write them off – ask them for more details. Have them do a little research (set a time limit) and ask them to come back to you with numbers or details that can back up their idea. Even if you don’t implement their original idea as presented, it will give you valuable intel that can lead you to the right solution. And in the process, you’ll be able to build a culture that keeps those ideas flowing!

Don’t Try to Do It All Yourself

As business owners, we tend to take a lot on ourselves. In fact, we sort of thrive on the challenge!

It’s important to recognize your own needs and limits, though. None of us are an island – we all need a team, but we also need someone to hold us accountable to our actions and goals.

For some, this might be a mentor – someone who has gone before you and done what you want to do. This is a person you can be transparent with, who can cheer you on when you win and give you some tough love when you need it. If you have a solid mentor in your life, awesome – learn from what they have to teach you.

For others, it might be an Accountability Coach – someone who is committed to your success, but is also an objective advisor. Many business owners find their Accountability Coach to be an invaluable resource. This person will not only give you the accountability you need to reach and surpass your goals, but will also challenge you to build in time for self care, family, and the things that recharge you.

In other words, they’ll help you consistently be your best! (If you’re looking for an Accountability Coach, we have 3 – we’re happy to get you connected!)

As we move out of Q3 and into Q4, there are so many incredible opportunities to take advantage of. If you’re not prepared though, they can turn into pitfalls. By taking advantage of the tough love tips above, you can set yourself and your team up to thrive!