Small Business Success – 8 Ways to Be Accountable to Your Business By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sharon_Reus]Sharon Reus
“I’ll send that proposal over this afternoon.” “Today I’ll make those calls to prospects I’ve been putting off.” “This week I’m going to get to the gym at least three times.”
Whether it’s a commitment we’ve made to a client or a business goal we’ve set for ourselves, our inclination is to make promises and live up to them. But often our intentions go awry, and those promises go unfulfilled. We fail to carry through with the very things that we know will bring success.
How can we consistently be accountable to our businesses and ourselves? Accountability is taking control of your actions and your life, and taking responsibility for the outcome of those actions. It’s about having a vision for success, and following through on your commitments to make that vision a reality.
It’s easier to follow through on promises made to others. Safeguards such as project deadlines, penalties for missed payments and the possibility of public ridicule keep us in line. But when we start looking at the promises we make to ourselves, that’s where we can get into trouble. And for the self-employed, lack of accountability can be a business killer.
Here are eight ways to be more accountable:
Have a plan. Accountability is easier when you know what you’re trying to accomplish. The best plans take a high-level view (yearly), along with shorter milestones (monthly, weekly). If you don’t have an annual plan in place, at least devise a plan for your week, and check in with it every day to stay on track. Create a mindset for accountability. Each morning, set your intentions for the day, including specific items you want to complete. At the end of the day, review what worked and what didn’t, so you can adjust your plan the following day. Be consistent. Set specific work hours and establish times that you will complete certain tasks such as billing clients or returning phone calls. Manage distractions. During your work hours, stem the tide of incoming information as much as possible — turn off your cell phone and e-mail alerts if necessary. Give yourself the gift of uncluttered time and space in which to work. Delegate or drop tasks you know you won’t do. If you’re worried about how your billings are going to get done, you won’t give 100 percent to the proposal you’re writing. Reserve your energy for the work you’re passionate about doing, and pay someone to do the rest. Find a partner — a friend, colleague or coach — someone with whom you can share accountability. Check in weekly or as needed. Stop being a victim. You won’t get every job you bid on; every interaction may not be smooth. Them’s the breaks. Being accountable to yourself means persevering through tough situations. In every moment you can choose to react in a positive way and move forward. Celebrate your success. You’ve heard this advice before, but self-employed professionals tend to gloss over their accomplishments. In a typical job environment, you’d receive “atta-boys” from your bosses and peers. Make sure you’re giving them to yourself. Celebrate a win by sharing your news with someone else, doing a fun activity or buying yourself a little gift. Reinforce your accountability!
Need Help? Are you stressed by the challenges of being self-employed or running your small business? Sharon Reus is a small business coach who helps business owners and solo professionals go from overwhelmed to empowered, creating and sustaining profitable businesses and fulfilling lives. Get a free Healthy Marketing Checklist for your business along with Sharon’s monthly Ezine Insightful Ideas here: http://bit.ly/8IiHox