Procrastinating on Your Startup?

Try These 3 Simple Strategies to Get You Going Fast

Procrastinating on your start-up is like drinking seawater to quench your thirst. As a result you feel OK for a bit. But you know how well that’s gonna work out. Don’t you?

Subsequently we may be drinking mental seawater to feel better. How? By stalling with thoughts like: “I don’t know where to start.” “I don’t know how to.” “I’ll get right on that tomorrow” “It’s too complicated.”

Believe me I’ve used those excuses! When you delay with what you feel are valid reasons – stress goes away. For now, you’ve quenched that uncomfortable mental thirst that you need to get things done. Your issues sit on the back burner. You don’t feel overwhelmed. Face it – some tasks are boring and un-sexy. They’re just a pain in the a**.

Meanwhile procrastinating like this comes back to bite you. In the form of lost opportunities. Lack of confidence. And lost time. So, why do we put things off? There’s many reasons, but check these out.

3 Reasons for Procrastinating and Cures

FEAR:

As an entrepreneur you’re putting yourself out there as someone who knows their stuff. You’re the CEO of MMI Inc.(Me, Myself and I). The buck stops with you. You must bring your ‘A’ game everyday – no exceptions. Your worry: Can I handle it?

UNCERTAINTY:

Doubts about even starting. Such as, how do I pick a profitable niche? Where do I find help or the right resources for the business, website, or marketing?

TIRESOME TASKS:

I’m a ___________ (insert your passion/trade/calling). I hate networking, book-keeping, writing etc. I want to focus on what I’m good at and enjoy what I’m doing.

Setting up a new business or service is both exciting and scary all at once. It’s easy to delay your start-up by over analyzing every tiny detail . Yet, it does little to get your business and dreams going.

Let’s do something about it now! As you read these tips know this: the best way to apply them is the same way you eat an elephant. One bite at a time. Don’t do too much too fast. You want to build movement and momentum.

Here’s 3 easy ways to flush procrastination out of your system and get moving.

♦Strategy#1  Do a Brain Dump.

Fear of failure is one of the biggest obstacles to putting yourself out there. Doubts hide like specters in your mind. Waiting to pounce and attack when you act. You start to wonder – “How can I compete when I’m such a little fish?” “What if I fail big-time?” I can hear the ‘I told you so’ chorus from friends and family.

One way to deal with head-trash is by a brain dump. Take pen to paper or open a word processor. Write every excuse, fear or challenge that comes to mind. Don’t edit, don’t censor. Just write. Read them aloud to yourself. As you do, imagine a friend telling you they feel this way about themselves. Usually our response is to point out their positives and strengths. Do the same for yourself.

Dragging these dark thoughts, kicking and screaming into the bright light of reality does three things. You face what you’ve been avoiding. Your mind clears. Focus improves. Now you don’t have these mental itches sapping your energy. Instead you focus your resources on solving problems. For more details on doing a brain dump check out this excellent article at lifehack.org.

♦ Strategy #2 Focus on your ‘ONE THING’

After your brain dump you’ll likely have some business concerns or issues on your list. Now pick a drop-dead completion date for each. This will determine what’s holding you back. How? It’ll be an item giving you a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach when you see its’ drop dead date.

So which is it for you? Networking? How to create and launch your website? Marketing? Building e-mail lists? Choose one that’s your sticking point. Let’s say it’s building email lists. Start by finding a virtual hand holder. An online resource that’s quick and easy. It can be: YouTube tutorials, Wiki How, blogs.

Or a quick online course at Lynda.com or Gale.com. For example Mail Chimp offers a free video walk-though on setting up email lists. This is only one example. The point is: do something, anything, that will get you moving closer to getting out there.

♦Strategy#3  Time Blocking.

Now pick your top priority. Use a time blocking technique called the Pomodoro. Set a timer for 25 minutes. Work on your one thing to the exclusion of all else. Take a short 3 to 5 minute break when the timer goes off. And then repeat.  Turn off your cell phone, email notifications, TV and radio.

If you do need some sound, instrumental focus music is best. Facebook, Twitter and IMs can wait. Don’t have 25 minutes? Even 10 minutes will get you going. So there you have it. If you’d like detailed information on time blocking get my free report “9 Tips to Immediately Create More Time for Your Startup”.

In Conclusion

If nothing else, your take-away should be to get moving. Do something critical to your business each day. No matter how little time you can devote, as long as you move forward. Every small productive step taken moves you ever so close to success. Remember – “little strokes fell great oaks.”

Nostalgia – how to market your business in a fresh way.

Click here for tips and techniques on how to instantly connect with prospects using nostalgia…

 

 

“10 Useful Websites and Resources for Your Small Business”

 

The internet is teeming with sites, resources, and valuable information. It’s difficult to cover even a fraction of them. So here’s a list of 10 useful websites and resources I’ve found useful and may be of use to you.

1. unsplash – A great hi-res photo resource for your site, blog or reports. As an amateur photographer i can vouch for the selection and amazing quality of the photos on this site. Best of all it’s completely FREE. Another bonus – they’re CCO. Meaning you can use these photos anywhere with no rights reserved. I will return the favor though by accrediting the photo.
2. GTmetrix – Test the load speed of your website with this helpful resource. It gauges load time, page size and requests – key factors in your web speed. In addition, you get a comprehensive report showing your site’s bottlenecks.
3. wordhippo – A fun, easy to use, online thesaurus for when you need to find the right word. But there’s more. wordhippo is feature rich with such tools as: rhyming words, pronounce words, word forms and lots more.
4. freedcamp – An organization and planning site loaded with free tools. Look for the kaban board while there. A phenomenal way to manipulate and work with tasks. Excellent for both business and personal use.
5. The 1-Page Marketing Plan – Free marketing plan and headline templates. Also includes a link to the 1-Page Marketing Plan community. Rich in practical tips and information on effective marketing.
6. PickFu –  A polling and feedback site to reassure you before you go public with your choice. Great for entrepreneurs who want to validate their startup idea. Polls start at $20 and up .
7. Mind42 – Free mind mapping, brainstorming and organizing resource. Simple and intuitive to use. I use it to plan my reports and white papers. Definitely worth a look.
8. stockio.com – A fantastic wealth of quality, free vector art, icons, videos etc. You can use these for commercial and personal use.
9. Readable –  Another free site. Gauges the readability of your work. You can test by url, direct input or referrer. Great way to ensure your scripts, blog or communiques are understandable.
10. Pew Research –  And finally, this well known site with tons of data, polls and information on trends. Useful for demographic research. All info on this site is free as well.

 

Face it! Mixing people pleasing with customer service will always suck for you and what to do about it

 

 

Huh?! What the heck are you talking about. Have you ever been in customer service? Do you even know what you’re talking about?

Isn’t the whole point of customer service to make them happy so they’ll come back. What about “the customer is always right”? “Service with a smile.”? You’d better have a good explanation for such a ridiculous statement.

In fact, I have a great explanation. And it comes from over 30 years of customer service experience. Just humor me and follow along.

First of all, you’re right.

• We must give service with a smile.

• Assure the customer they may be right (a topic for another time) .

• Offer them preeminent service. Satisfied customers are our bread and butter.

Rather, what hurts your business is being a “people pleaser” and not a customer pleaser. There’s a huge difference.

One satisfies the client’s need the other satisfies your needs. Why can that be bad for the health of your business? Because people pleasing can be an addictive behavior. It’s like consuming alcohol, in moderation it’s fine. However, done to excess it can lead to problems. How so?

What I’m talking about here is making unrealistic promises, pricing or timelines. You’ve made your client happy without delivering anything yet. YOU feel good because you made your client happy.

Entrepreneurs are human too. We like the ego rush when someone gushes over us as their hero. Next, consider…

Are people pleasing gremlins hiding in your business? Turn them into ‘wows’ instead 

So now I’d like to help you experience 3 people pleasing gremlin busters. As you read these tips you’ll begin to see ways you can properly please your prospects.

(Gremlin Buster #1) Quoting a price before you have all the facts.

Get to wow by asking…

Will I need extra resources, material, equipment, staff?

Are all the requirements for the job clear and agreed upon?

Are your timelines realistic? Don’t over promise and under-keep. Be crystal clear on your intent.

You may get the job. As well as a bad rep if you don’t deliver the goods.

(Gremlin Buster #2) Offering add on services beyond your capabilities. 

Get to wow by considering…

While it’s a great idea to include an add on or freebie it must be something you can handle.

Offering an expensive or dubious perk may be setting the stage for big problems.

For example: You delight a client by giving free photography services as part of a marketing job. But if your skills are marginal, or you don’t have a go-to person or resource you have a problem.

Because if the photos aren’t of the best quality or choice – now you have a poor product and dissatisfied customer.

(Gremlin Buster #3) Committing to unrealistic timelines.

Get to wow by….

Setting practical timelines within your limitations, resources and job.

Break the job down into tasks.

Determine time estimates, equipment and resources for each step.

Factor in your “fudge ratio” so you can finish the job on time.

Remember, work doesn’t always go as planned. You need a time buffer.

For more information on “fudge ratio” check out this Steve Pavlina article.  

Here’s a sample of what a people-pleaser vs. customer wow may sound like.

Let’s look in on a  janitorial company bidding for a job.

 

‘The people pleaser way’

Janitorial: Thanks for giving us a chance to bid. I understand you have an 800-sq. ft. office showroom floor that needs stripping and waxing.

Customer: Yes, we need it done in the next 2 weeks. How long does it usually take you to do the job?

Janitorial: That’s a pretty quick job we should be able to have it done in about an evening.

Customer: Good. But we also have a small concrete floor area that needs to be sealed. Would you be able to seal it as part of your waxing?

Janitorial:  We can manage that. In fact, I’ll throw it in as a courtesy for you choosing us.

Customer: Sounds great! Would it be possible to have it done next Monday – before the 2 weeks are up? That would actually work better for us.

Janitorial: We should be open that day, I don’t see a problem fitting you in.

Customer: Fantastic! I think we can do business here, send me a quote…

Congratulations! You’re hired. The day of the job you show up later than you figured. You discover the office has 2 large tables and 6 display racks. Where do you move them to? This is gonna take a lot longer than you figured. You don’t have the proper sealer for the concrete floor either.

Now you’re calling up your customer telling them the job won’t be done overnight. There may be extra cost because furniture moving and a special sealer wasn’t factored in. Well, at least you made your customer happy until you started working.

Compare this to the opposite…

The ‘wow the customer’ way

Janitorial: Thanks for giving us a chance to bid. I understand you have an 800-sq. ft. office showroom floor that needs stripping and waxing.

Customer: Yes, we need it done in the next 2 weeks. How long does it usually take you to do the job?

Janitorial: Our crew takes about 4 to 6 hours for a complete job that size. We work overnight, doing a deep strip and using fast drying sealer and wax. Is the area clear of furniture or fixtures? If it isn’t we have to factor in moving and replacing those items into the cost.

Customer: It has 2 large tables and 6 display racks. You can store them on another floor while you work. Oh! And we also have a small concrete floor area that needs to be sealed. Would you be able to seal that as part of your waxing?

Janitorial:  That’s outside my area of expertise. But I partner with another company specializing in concrete sealing. I can co-ordinate it so we get both jobs done at the same time. As well as getting you a 5% discount on the concrete sealing. With the display rack and tables depending on the size – it will add about an extra 2 hours to the job. We’ll have to start earlier in the evening. Is that OK?

Customer: Sounds great! Would it be possible to have it done next Monday before the 2 weeks are up? That would actually work better for us.

Janitorial: Let me check. We’re booked for an early evening job and it would run into our time to give you a proper job. We also need to co-ordinate with our partner. Does the next day work for you, on Tuesday the…? You get the idea.

In conclusion – your takeaway

Know your stuff, your limitations and your customer’s needs. Avoid making promises you can’t keep. Offer them what you know you can deliver. Will it be perfect every time? Of course not, nothing ever is. But you want to stack the odds in your favor so you’ll come off as reliable, competent and professional.