Like the honeymoon after a marriage, everyone experiences the honeymoon in his or her business. It is that period of time where you gain momentum, and although it is a lot of work, you push past obstacles, rise above walls, and everything is clicking. The customers/clients are coming, you begin to hear your name in the marketplace, and your business is being recognized and discussed in the media. This is what you have worked for.
And then it happens…you begin feeling overwhelmed by being the solopreneur who is doing everything. After all, you’re not quite in a position to hire help, and you feel that at any moment, things could fall apart.
It has officially happened…the honeymoon is over.
The honeymoon period can last from six months to a couple of years. The business is growing, and you get into the daily grind of working the business and moving from one priority to the next with priorities changing rapidly. You’ve lost control of your time. There are no systems in place, and no team to assist. In essence, you haven’t taken the time to “think into your business.”
Well, like the bride whose veil is removed, it is time to unveil five building blocks in your business:
(1) Growth Plan.
Immediately set aside time to “think about your vision” and establish a growth plan for yourself as an entrepreneur. When you grow yourself, your business will grow. Don’t make the mistake of attempting to just “fix” or patch the problem and move on. Patches eventually wear off, and you are back to square one.
(2) Systems.
Put systems in place. Systems establish a framework and define how a certain process is to be handled on a consistent basis.
(3) Calendar.
Establish and become one with your calendar. Unless you capture how you spend your time, you’re groping for straws. You won’t know how, where, or when to make changes. This is most difficult for many people because it requires accountability for ALL of your time and not just activities. A well-developed and used calendar is the difference between successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurs.
(4) Thinking Partners.
Carefully and strategically find “thinking” partners who will tell you what you “need” to hear. Remember, the wounds of a friend are better than flattering lips. These are the people who have your best interest at heart and will truthfully tell you when you are blowing smoke – but they will also listen and ask questions about critical issues you may have missed.
(5) Focus.
Broken focus will kill a business before it gets started. Remember, you may have many ventures during the course of your business life, but you must find the common thread that runs through all of them and make that the object of your focus. Once you build the “goose” (your core business) you can then lay the golden eggs (other related ventures). Don’t try to build the goose and lay golden eggs at the same time.
Grow, think, systematize, calendarize, and focus. This is how you go from the honeymoon into a thriving business ready for exponential growth.