Do you ever feel it’s just too hard being in your own business?

You’re sick of dealing with people problems, worrying about paying the bills, hoping that new prospect will finally become a client, staying awake at night concerned that the money you’ve invested in that special project may work and you’ll be in more debt than ever?  That nothing you do seems to be working?

There’s been many times over the past 12 years that I’ve felt no matter what I did,it wasn’t giving me the results I was looking for and could easily have thrown it all in.  It’s during these times that you need to get the strength from within to keep going.

How often do you take for granted the valuable knowledge that you have? I’m constantly amazed at how the simple things that I know and share with my clients, can be a massive revelation for them.

instance, Denise has  a public relations business. She’s well-known in her industry and receives regular phone calls from other consultants wanting to know how she became so successful.

Up until now she had been spending a lot of time, sharing her knowledge (for free) and receiving nothing in return.

Last year I facilitated a VIP Planning Day for a small accounting practice. During the course of the day we reviewed the progress they had made since the Planning Day we had the year before. As we were reflecting on their achievements before planning the coming 12 months,  one of the partners made the comment on how crucial their weekly meetings were.
When I first suggested they have regular weekly meetings, the same partner thought it was a waste of time. He was focussed on how much time it cost to have everyone stop work for that hour. Being an accountant he was always focussed on chargeable hours and if they are all in a meeting for an hour they are potentially losing in excess of $1000.

This is it. The end of another year.
For some of you the next few days will either be frantic or quiet, depending on the business you are in.

I hope those of you who are quiet are spending your time reflecting on the past year and then wisely planning what you want to achieve for the new one. For the rest of you no doubt, January will be the time when future plans will be made.

Over the next few weeks, anything can change in your business. You’ll find that people often make decisions about what they will and won’t be doing in the new year. You will want to make sure that your business not only survives but thrives next year.

It’s imperative that you put time aside and take the necessary action to ensure your clients and referral sources continue doing business with you. And if you have competent staff, ensuring that they continue to stay with you.