Happy Lunar New Year !
3 ways the Fire Rooster can help assess your business needs for 2017.
2017 is the Year of The Fire Rooster, and this lunar new year’s zodiac has great characteristics for business. With values like punctuality, trustworthiness, a strong work ethic and confidence, it seems like the rooster is a great fit for us entrepreneurs. And as we hit the ground running in 2017, these are definitely qualities we all want in our businesses.
However, as well as having these positive attributes, the rooster does also have some negative aspects which could do with a bit of a change, especially if you’re a business owner.
Roosters are notorious perfectionists. Unfortunately, coupled with that, they are also very impatient time-watchers. A deadly combination which has a tendency to become controlling and micro-managing. And this is where some business owners can veer towards similar negative characteristics.
It’s easy to fall into this mindset. I’ve done it myself.
Running your own business is a massive responsibility, and it can seem easier and faster to do it yourself, despite how much you dislike the task. Whether it’s insisting on doing all the accounts due to habit, or whether it’s deliberating over marketing ideas without knowing how to target your audience, or trying to find the head-space to write your own blog articles, there are many examples of business owners losing time and sanity by taking on every aspect of the business.
Trying to be everything to everyone can be exhausting, and ultimately, bad for business.
We’re not experts at everything. And there’s no shame in admitting that, finding the right person (or app) to do it, and moving on with what you ARE good at. Running your business.
As a business owner, there will be tasks you have to own, and you’ll always be involved in all the critical decisions. But by holding on to involvement, you’re simply making your life, and the life of your team as productive as scratching around in a chook pen.
Whatever your thoughts on the Lunar zodiac, being self-aware is a positive attribute. And changing your negative behaviour to adapt to succeed is a necessary part of both personal and business growth.
So here are 3 questions to ask yourself to better guide your business needs:
- Do you like the task you’re doing? If you’ve said no, then bravo, you’re on your way to freeing up some time for yourself. Some owners love getting into every aspect of the business as having control seems like a natural part of being a manager. However, when answered in conjunction with the next 2 questions, a lot more insight can be gained.
- Can the task be done faster and/or at a higher quality if it was done by someone else? Time is money and your time is the most valuable of all to your business. So you’ll need to honestly own up to your own deficiencies and be human with this question. If you intend to persist on owning all tasks, then good luck to you, but if you’re ready to be frank and objective, you may find ways to free up some time so you can spend it on more valuable things.
- Do you have the necessary expertise to do this task for the best interest of your business? This is where things get brutal. Your business needs you to think logically and laterally, here. If you’re not the best person for this task, you shouldn’t be doing it at all, no matter how much you like it or how much you think it likes you. Even if you think this should be your sole responsibility, if you don’t possess the best skills for it, there’s no guilt in admitting this and getting help. And it’s in the best interest of your business to do so. If you still want to be involved, try to limit your involvement and be aware of how much time you’re spending to satisfy your own ego versus being productive.
- Can your time be better spent doing other things? Of course, it can. For this hidden fourth question, I’ve answered this for you already because it’s a truism for anyone. Whether you need to assess your marketing strategy, review your competition or spend more time with family, there are always better things you could be doing than menial tasks. There are big-picture tasks you could be doing. However, the only person who can control that, is you. So decide whether you’ll free up time in 2017 in order to choose to do other, better things.
For the year of the Fire Rooster, let’s crow about our good qualities, and let’s honestly assess the bad. Delegating, seeking expertise and good counsel is the path to success, and to personal growth.
By changing your mindset and finding the right consultant, the right app, or the right staff member, you’ll grow your management skills and free up some valuable time to thrive in 2017.
All the best for your Lunar New Year ahead! May it be prosperous, peaceful and still leave room for dessert. (Always leave room for dessert!)
Po-Tien
