All Work and No Play...or Why Everyone Needs to Invest in a Fallow Season

KEY #5: REWARD YOURSELF

Everyone works to receive rewards, whether they know it or not. The rewards can be money, free time, or a special treat. But oftentimes as a small business owner we may be so wrapped up in making sure that our business survives the day-to-day grind that we neglect to do that which would motivate us to continue. And that can grind us to a halt. Why work hard and not get a reward? Entrepreneurs work tirelessly for years because they know that they’ll be rewarded one day with riches (possibly) and freedom (most definitely) to do what they want, when they want.

So when is this reward going to come?

We have been talking about how motivating goals and organization can be personally and professionally…but sometimes the motivation should be from outside instead. Rewards motivate people to achieve more to receive more. Small business owners will always have to work hard, but all work and no play is a huge mistake. Your motivation will soon begin to fall if you never take any time away from the demands of running the business.

So why not reward yourself for big and small accomplishments? When you create a goal for yourself, don't be shy about creating a reward to compliment it.

Did you plow through that catalog mailing in record time? Take a walk through Pfiffner Park.
Were you able to return all the emails that have piled up in your inbox? Sounds like a trip to Emy J's for coffee is in order.
Did you close the big five figure deal with a client you have been chasing, like, forever? Great! There's a table with your name on it at the Silver Coach.

Remember to keep the reward proportionate to your accomplishment. But do practice rewarding yourself regularly.

So, plan frequent rewards for yourself. No, it doesn't need to be a trip to Hawaii (although this is a great idea......and if you are going, can I come, too?). Your reward can be as simple as a lunch out with an old friend, a movie with your significant other, an afternoon of shopping or a relaxing massage.

Speaking of massage....Our expert perspective today is from Allen Musch of Inner Element Massage. One way to reward yourself or a colleague would be with massage but also the reward of relaxation techniques to increase your overall well being has its rewards as well. I asked Allen to share with us some of the rewards that he finds motivating.

Allen Musch first wondered how I knew that rewards and motivation are something very important to him. (Note to Al: I have been listening!). Allen says that there is no better way to reward himself after achieving a goal than to relax and unwind with his friends, family and loved ones. Just kicking back and watching a movie can be all the revitalization that he needs. But Allen has also been working really hard as he goes back to college at UWSP. This has been a challenging semester for him, but he has made a deal with himself...if he finishes out the semester strong (and with weather outside like today that can be harder than it sounds!) then he plans a big reward...a week in Yellowstone later this summer.

It sounds like Allen is well on his way to that vacation. Way to go, Al!

If your budget and time will allow, take a few days off for a short trip or simply schedule a vacation from work for a few days. Make it a real vacation -- even if you don't leave town -- so no checking email, voice mail or the fax machine. Add to that the Facebook, Twitter and blogroll addiction you have contracted. That little stipulation might be the most crucial part of the equation no matter where you go. (And oftentimes the hardest to resist).

But if your budget or business doesn't allow an actual physical, break-me-out-of-the-funny-farm escape, why not take one that is free and allows you to stay right at home?

Free...you say? I like things that are free!

A fellow Wisconsin writer friend of mine named Lance has a blog called The Jungle of Life that I follow. Coincidentally, today Lance wrote about taking a mental vacation. That type of reward goes so well with the theme for this week. Essentially, Lance did in fact go away with his family to a new locale to sample the sights and sounds and culture of a new place, but was surprised that it also prompted him to take a detour inside himself. This virtual vacation allowed his mind to travel to new thoughts and sample new possibilities...and was just as powerful a rejuvenator as the actual destination that he traveled to with his family.

I like to call that fallow season. You know when farmers leave a field alone for a time? It gives the soil a rest and allows the natural process of creation and potential to take hold so that when it is time to grow again, there is something there to feed the seeds.

You need to get away, unwind and renew yourself from time to time. Don't think that you don't. It sounds corny (no farming pun intended), but if you take the time to reward yourself, even just a little, you will come back to your business with a new sense of motivation. This "fallow season" to regenerate will help improve your attitude, perspective and outlook. It will help you plant new seeds and prepare yourself for the next big thing that is waiting to grow.

After all, you deserve it.

(And I totally deserve the two hour massage I have pending with Al tomorrow!)

Working Words of Wisdom:
"The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment; it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone."
~ Orison Swett Marden

Choosing Your Best Dance Partners

KEY #4: NetWORKing=WORK

The fourth key factor in getting and staying motivated is networking with other small businesses. Of course, that is something we all believe in or we wouldn't be members of the BNI Point to Success chapter, would we? One of the most difficult aspects of being an entrepreneur or small business owner is the isolation. Mutual support can be very empowering and motivating. We each seek to make connections in our communities and neighborhoods, whether they are physical or online. And we all know that even if our business interests are unrelated we somehow find a way to stand on common ground and work together for the benefit of us all.

When we come together weekly we do so not only to bring each other referrals, but to help each other solve problems, share ideas of how to be successful and experience the connectivity that makes our little community so special. We have elected not to be wallflowers, but to get out there and tango with all those who would help us build our business.

Often it seems that the burdens of being a small business owner can be overwhelming, but by coming together and sharing our expertise and ideas we can be a stronger community than if we remained secluded in our own little business world.

Dr. Ivan Misner is a frequent contributor to Entrepreneur.com. He wrote a column titled, "What is Business Networking, Anyway?"

He tells us that, "Business networking is leveraging your business and personal connections to bring you a regular supply of new business." That sounds deceptively simple. In practice, it is a lot of work.

You have to be proactive to get the most out of the process but the returns can be great. It is not about going to an event, shaking hands with everyone there, gathering business cards that then become nothing more than recycling bin fodder.

So what is the secret to networking like a pro? The answer: Creating and building relationships.

Think about it...how many people do you know in your spheres of influence? And how many of these people really know and understand what it is that you do? How many of these people you know actually send you prospects? And how many of those turn into actual business?

Our resident expert is Dave Harvath of D & D Auto. Dave understands the value of relationships and seeks to make his customers his friends. I asked Dave to share with us his expert perspective on his success in networking.

Dave Harvath says that of those that pass through his door and drive into his shop, 10% are customers and 90% are friends. Dave makes it his duty to get to know those who take the time to come into his business. Dave doesn't just service their vehicles and take their money. He wants to know all about them and make an investment in their lives. He becomes their friend. He treats them with respect. He cares not only for their vehicles but for their lives as well. That makes him a trusted business man and someone that has established a thriving repeat business.

Dave tells us that he really does qualify all those referral slips that he passes. He will not refer a customer to one of his BNI partners. He only refers friends. He knows what they need, knows that they are a precious client of his and then will refer them to one of us, the referral partners that he believes in. In short, because he has taken the time to establish a trusted relationship with them, he can assure us of the quality of the referral. That is what relationship networking is all about. And Dave Harvath really lives that in his business.

Networking must be strategic and focused if you want to see growth from it in your business. While not everyone you meet can move your business forward, you never know where the next great referral can come from. Everything you do in your business should be founded on the idea that you intend to grow your business.

Networking is proactive. "The core of networking is doing something specific each week that is focused on networking for business growth," Dr. Misner says. I challenge you to think each week about one something specific that you can do and go and do it. Then come back and tell us how it went so we can learn from you, too. Because sharing our success is a part of growing our relationships with each other as well.

Working Words of Wisdom

"Opportunity dances with those who are ready on the dance floor."

~H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Now, get out there...and dance!

Get It In Writing...The Fine Art of Setting Goals

KEY #3: SETTING GOALS

Short and long-term goal setting is vital for any business owner. If you didn't set goals, you would be adrift with nothing to strive for and no charted course to follow.

I know that. I understand that. But in practice, I have a hard time with that. Do you have a hard time with that too?

I am personally not a goal-oriented person. But yet I understand the value of having goals...little things like I might be more likely to meet them and therefore enrich my business and personal life if I have them written down.

In 2008 I set a very vague goal to be published. I went after that and to my great surprise was published five times throughout the year. So in 2009 I decided that I should do more than just state it, I should write it down. My goal is to be published once per month and to donate one ensemble per month for the entire year. So far I am up to date on the donations (but currently seeking an April and May opportunity), and I am scheduled to have my work published through September of this year. These opportunities don’t find me, I have to find them, but by setting that goal and keeping tabs on it I am doing all that I can to make them happen. And I believe that when you put it out in the world you would be surprised how the planets aligned to make your goal a reality.

How could you possibly be motivated if you were unsure about the direction of your company?
One obvious way is to take the time to put your goals in writing. Rainy Worzalla of Art Village is the most goal oriented person I know. And setting her goals has helped her achieve them, as we are all witness to with her recent move. But beyond her long-term goals, Rainy has a wonderful tool that she and her staff use to motivate them on a monthly basis called M.A.I.N.L.Y. I asked Rainy to spend a few moments detailing how this worksheet has helped her be a success.

BALANCE is not a word that Rainy uses in her vocabulary. But HARMONY is. While she may not be setting life goals involving fitness or spirituality or other equally important subjects, she does believe that there should be a harmony among the various areas of your life. The M.A.I.N.L.Y. goal sheet from The Monthly Mentor has helped her acheive that. That and the fact that she has a partner in her business who does this monthly with her to keep her on track.

M.A.I.N.L.Y. stands for Mess, Acknowledgment, Increase in Wealth, New, Learn and Yourself. Really all areas of your life and business can be categorized by one of these points. Rainy points out that we all have messes in our lives, all need to give gratitude, all are looking to enrich our bottom line, all have the drive to try new things and learn something new everyday and last, but not least, we need to be good to ourselves. The M.A.I.N.L.Y. sheet has a place for all of them.

Writing the goals for your life and business are one thing, but to have another person holding you accountable to them really allows the process to work. Rainy and Kristin sit down each month and go over their individual and business goals using the worksheet and decide how they can acheive them. They also go over the previous month to be sure that they can score the sheet accordingly. I know that the results have been amazing and the fact that they do it together not only keeps them honest about the outcome, but motivates them as well to be the best that they can be. The benefit of scoring the sheet allows for instant feedback on the progress.

The M.A.I.N.L.Y. sheets are just one helpful tool to use to get those goals in writing. Give it a try and see what it can do for you and your business.

How many of you have a business plan? Notice that I am not raising my hand. I know this is a weakness of mine, but one that I know is essential to long-term success. After all, it can be a very scary thought to put one together. A business plan may sound daunting, but it is really nothing more than written goals, strategies, implementation and a budget. Write your own business plan and update it at least annually. Include "mini-goals" that can be accomplished in a matter of hours, days or weeks as well as the more ambitious "grand-goals" that may take years to complete. Refer to this plan throughout the year.

How about long-term goals. Don't UNDERestimate what you can accomplish in a decade. Think about how far you've come in the past ten years. Think about how far you MIGHT have come in the past ten years if you'd set goals for yourself way back when! So, here's your assignment: take one of your one year goals you have today and stretch it out to ten. What will you look like ten years from now? What will your relationships be like? Where will you live?Where will you work (if at all)? What will your income be? What will your wealth be? Now, take that ten year goal and break it down into what you will accomplish each year. Finally, what can you do TODAY to start you towards that dream?

Can GOALS really help motivate you? Yes! Written goals will make you feel more professional and certainly more connected to your business. It will also free you from having to reinvent your business every single day.

Working Words of Wisdom:

"When you get right down to the root of the meaning of the word 'succeed',
you find that it simply means to follow through."
~F. W. Nichol

Creative Minds are Rarely Tidy...or Why My Lack of Organization Is Killing My Motivation

KEY #2: ORGANIZATION (with testimony from….Troy Aeby)

How many of you are "organizationally challenged"? Good. Me, too. That would explain why I found it so hard to find an expert perspective today!

Organization is critical to motivation. You might have the INSPIRATION to be a success, but if you don’t have plan you won’t be able to see where you are going or even know if you got there when you did.

But even if you have a plan and you are merrily moving along, what happens when your work space is overrun by piles preventing you from being efficient and productive?

I am NOT a very organized person. My space can become cluttered overnight and it gets to a breaking point for me every once and awhile (note to self: you are at that breaking point now!). As a child, when asked to clean my room, I used to tell my mom that "Creative Minds Are Rarely Tidy". Well, you can imagine how that went over when I was growing up. As an adult and especially as a business owner I am forced to find ways in order to make sense out of my chaos or I know that I just won't be productive no matter what.

How can you feel good about your work, when you can't find important papers or you are constantly late returning messages? Your business will falter and your motivation will suffer.
Some people just can't get organized. If you are one of them (like me…), then consider bringing in someone -- a business friend, family member a neighbor or professional -- to help you get the clutter and mess cleaned up.

When Marcia Yokers of Stevens Point Home Staging and Organization came over to my house to do an assessment, I am sure that she was shocked by my ribbon and wrapping paper fetish and my propensity for keeping every little bit and scrap for use later. But we developed a plan and I have completed most of what we set out to do in the past year, and I think that she would be proud of me…except not looking at my studio today!

You will be amazed at how this one important thing will help you get back on the motivation train. Don't stop there. It is more than just the physical reality of your work space. Really get organized by creating business systems that will help you streamline your operations.

Our perspective today is from Troy Aeby. Troy is the owner of a long-time family business called Duralum. It is no secret that he is very organized and that is what makes him a great secretary/treasurer.

For Troy, organizing isn’t a challenging task as it is for most of us. On the contrary, organizing is a priority for him. {And he even makes it sound fun...Lucky!}

Troy told us that he divides his life into major categories like work, family, physical and spiritual. He has goals, both long and short term, for each category. On a daily basis, Troy makes lists of the tasks that are necessary to complete his goals. He then selects three things off the list that are of the highest priority and he is sure to get those done first, often before he even steps foot in his business at Duralum. Troy told me that his greatest organizational secret is to write these things down and to stay focused.

Eyes on the prize, my friend! Thank you for your perspective, Troy. {Don't be surprised if we are calling in your organizational favors!}

While you need to find an organizational strategy that works, the real challenge will be keeping yourself on track by maintaining systems that work FOR YOU. For many, it is a daily challenge, but if you use your organizational systems you'll be free to think about other important issues.

And that’s good for business.

Working Words of Wisdom:

"Organizing is what you do before you do something,
so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up."
~A.A. Milne (author of Winnie the Pooh)