Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” ~Albert Einstein
Productivity, efficiency, and small business marketing go hand-in-hand. As small business owners, we simply don’t have time to waste. I don’t know about you, but I’m the business owner, the bookkeeper, the project manager, the marketing director, the maintenance department, and many times also the technician that physically does the work. Unproductive days and inefficiencies carry a price tag, sometimes a big one.
Productivity in small business marketing begins with identifying your most important goals, then breaking them down into your most important tasks. We’re tossing marketing ideas at you twice each week, but it’s up to you to determine which of these ideas move you closer to YOUR goals.
If you fill a container with little pebbles and sand first, you’ll find that there’s not sufficient room for the big rocks. Productivity is filling the container with the big rocks first, then the pebbles and finally the sand. Those big rocks are the things that must get done to move you toward your goals. If we don’t consciously add the big rocks first, the sand filters in without any forethought – another day, another opportunity lost.
So what do you want to accomplish before the end of this year? What are you doing to move toward your goals?
Action Tips:
- At the beginning of the week, list three big rocks that you want to accomplish before week’s end. Remember, these are the things that move you toward your goals.
- Schedule time to tackle your big rocks into your weekly calendar. If you don’t schedule the time, it will fill up with something else … happens every time.
- Do something every single day to move you toward your goals. Better yet, make it the first task of the day so that nothing gets in your way.
- At the end of the week review your progress. Don’t skip this step! Did you meet one or more of your goals? Go ahead and gloat … you earned it!
Feel like sharing? I’d love to hear about what you’re doing to move toward your marketing goals. Please leave your comment below.
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Great productivity post. This is one good way to get more done simply and efficiently. About number 4 though, when I advise people on these things in roughly the same way, I tell them to reward themselves instead. The reward can be as simple as spending extra time with friends or family, or going for a refreshing walk.
Thanks, keep up the great posts!
Nice post Shari. Like the big rocks/sand analogy. The big difficulty is sticking to the routine.
Hi, I am sorry. But I do not understand the big rocks part? Could you give some real examples? Like I am a webdesigner. What would be a big rock for me?
What are your goals for your business as a web designer? Would building a phenomenal portfolio help you market your business? How about building an email list to keep your current clients apprised of new ideas they might need you to implement? In my analogy, the big rocks are the important tasks that move you closer to your business goals. The sand is the trivial stuff that seeps in and takes over our day before we realize it.
Like you I’m also a multitasker I do different task in my company and your right about setting goals at the beginning so that you can see your progress.
Shari,
the single biggest problem I have is with trying to do too much by myslef. i ahve to be one of the worst delegators around which causes me massive headaches. I am really going to try and take on board your suggestion
Schedule time to tackle your big rocks into your weekly calendar. If you don’t schedule the time, it will fill up with something else … happens every time.
That is so true in my case.
Stephen
I think that one of the biggest problem with small business marketing is that often times small business owners try and do too much on their own without talking to someone that has experience with marketing and such. The tips in your article are really great!