I got out of the habit.
The habit of writing every Monday...which I did since August 2009. Our "Business Boost" phone message of 2 minutes required a quick sit-down of writing. Every Monday. A few holidays here and there, but not many missed.
Earlier this year, I noticed a drop off in the actual number of people who listened to the calls. Offers and challenges went unnoticed as people simple did not listen to the call they subscribed to, and I spent money sending. The decision was made to switch to a blog, which still required writing every Monday.
Things went pretty well until the kids got out of school...then there's a brief entry when they went BACK to school, then...nothing. Quite frankly, I forgot about it. A four year habit - gone.
Poof!
Four weeks ago, I began volunteering with the Tribute Fence Preservation Project. My background is history and museums; I am cataloging the items left at the Granite Mountain Hotshot's fire station fence after 19 of them perished in a wildfire on June 30th this year. I can't say the volunteer work broke my habit, it was gone before I started. What I find interesting? The volunteer work made me realize I had lost the habit.
Working 40+ hours a week for no pay is only possible due to my lia sophia business. I recognized this fact when I took on the position of volunteer curator, and immediately noticed how laser-focused I became on my lia sophia business. In the month of September, with huge work weeks dedicated to the Project, I had 4 new recruits, turned a show every week and hosted a mega party. This month I have 2 more new recruits...and I believe a few more, too. What has changed? Why am I MORE successful now with LESS TIME & LESS ENERGY?
It's because the time I have is focused on priority items that will produce the biggest result. My time was gone-so I started recruiting with the focus on not having time. I set deadlines for things to be done - and got them done. In a museum setting we have a rule - limit the times you touch an object. Get it processed with fewer hands and time. I found when in the museum mindset, I found I was much more efficient at my business. Today I am at home, waiting for a repair man. This morning I found myself aimlessly "working" on my business, instead of the concise actions I've been accustomed to.
I guess I had some bad habits, too.
Look at your business. Have you simply forgotten your GOOD habits- like hostess coaching? Goals? Or is the time you spend aimled on "fun" stuff, like the Facebook Jewelry Swap group????? (Big time waster, but OH SO FUN!!!)
In the month I worked the hardest on something else, my business THRIVED more than it had in years. Focused attention produce MORE results than the "productive" days of the past.
Get focused. Figure out what GOOD habits you've dropped. I guarantee you need to buff up on hostess coaching. We have HUGE customer tickets but low attendance. Attendance being down is hostess coaching. REVIEW, REFRESH and ENJOY the results....because your results now are simply missing good habits. Get back into them (or if you never had them, develop them!)
See you next Monday.
