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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Tag Archives: Margaret Smith professional speaker

October 9, 2024 Dedicating Time to Work ON, Not Just IN, Your Business

When you run your own business, it is easy to become completely immersed in your work. You may have multiple clients to juggle, various meetings to attend, or a never-ending stream of tasks to complete. While this level of immersion can be productive in the short-term, it’s important to also step back and work on your business, rather than just in it.

Taking the time to examine and reflect on your business allows you to focus on the bigger picture, identify areas for improvement, and make strategic decisions that will drive long-term growth. Temporarily removing yourself from the day-to-day operations can give you some perspective and help you become a more effective business owner.

Although many people understand that working on their business is a good idea, they might resist doing so due to perceived time constraints, a fear of neglecting current responsibilities, or a lack of clarity on how to effectively work on their business. However, making time for strategic planning and reflection is crucial for long-term success. By prioritizing this type of work, business owners can identify opportunities, address challenges, and position their company for growth.

To overcome mental barriers related to working on your business, I suggest the following tips:

Set Aside Time

If you’re like many people, if it’s not on the calendar, it’s not getting done. That’s why it’s a good idea to intentionally schedule dedicated time for strategic planning, reflection, and tasks related to your business as a whole. Block off time in your calendar and treat it as an important meeting. To simplify scheduling, consider making this a recurring appointment by setting your calendar to block off this time every month or every other week.

Prioritize

It’s important to identify specific areas of your business that need attention, such as marketing, operations, or financial management. Try listing specific tasks that need to be completed and ranking them in order of priority. Then, focus your efforts on these key areas when working on your business. This will help ensure that you’re making the most impactful changes and improvements.

Seek Outside Perspective

Talking to trusted advisors, mentors, or industry peers can provide valuable insights and a fresh perspective on your business. They may be able to identify areas for improvement or offer suggestions that you hadn’t considered. You could also collect feedback from clients (if it seems appropriate), asking them questions such as, “Do you find my website easy to navigate? What would you change?” Or: “How did you originally hear about my business?” Don’t be afraid to ask for input and feedback to help guide your strategic planning.

Break Down Larger Goals

Some goals for your business may seem overwhelming or intimidating. If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to break down these larger objectives into smaller, actionable steps that you can tackle incrementally. That way, you can make steady progress without feeling bogged down by the enormity of the task. Celebrate small wins along the way, as they’ll help keep you motivated and focused. Remember, even small improvements can have a big impact over time. By breaking down your goals, you’ll be able to tackle them in a more manageable and sustainable way, ultimately driving your business forward.

While it may require some initial effort, the benefits of working on your business rather than just in it can be transformative for your organization’s trajectory. By carving out dedicated time to focus on the bigger picture, you can gain valuable perspective, identify strategic opportunities, and make informed decisions that will propel your business forward. Embracing this approach can help you become a more effective leader, drive sustainable growth, and ultimately achieve your long-term goals. Remember, the time you invest in working on your business is an investment in its future success. Embrace this practice, and watch as your company reaches new heights.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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July 10, 2024 How to Manage Your Mulling

Many people I know are worriers. They mull over situations, thinking about various outcomes, or fretting about potential missteps or failures. While it can be okay to mull things over, it becomes problematic when it’s all-consuming, taking up so much brain space that it’s difficult to think about anything else.

How do you stop nonstop mulling? How can you get past the thing that is taking up so much time and mental space? Here are four methods to try:

Designate Mulling Time

While it sounds counterintuitive, it can be effective to temporarily give in to your mulling and give it your full attention. Set aside time to let yourself ponder, jot down thoughts, and/or plan. This designated mulling time can help you to reflect on your thoughts and concerns in a structured manner. By setting specific times for mulling, you can contain the worrying thoughts to certain periods, allowing yourself to focus on other tasks without interruption. Additionally, having designated mulling time can prevent thoughts from consuming your entire day, giving you a sense of control over your worries. This approach helps in managing excessive overthinking and promotes a more balanced mental state.

Strategize

Instead of fixating on a problem or situation, try focusing on potential solutions. This will shift you from a place of helplessness to a place of productivity. Try brainstorming solutions, mapping out potential paths, and/or considering various outcomes for certain strategies. This approach can help you break free from the cycle of overthinking and move towards constructive problem-solving. By strategizing and exploring different options, you can empower yourself to take action and make progress. This type of strategic work can be undertaken by yourself or with others.

Talk It Out

In some cases, it can be healthy and productive to talk about the situation with others. If you’re in a mental rut, others’ perspectives can be tremendously helpful, and they might provide insights or suggestions you hadn’t considered on your own. Talking to someone else can offer a fresh perspective, new ideas, or emotional support. It can also help you gain clarity and process your thoughts more effectively. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or therapist, sharing your concerns can lighten the mental load and provide you with the encouragement or guidance you need to navigate through challenging situations.

Refocus Your Attention

Refocusing your attention is another effective way to manage excessive mulling. Engage in activities that bring you joy, whether it’s a hobby, exercise, or spending time with loved ones. By diverting your focus to positive and enjoyable pursuits, you not only break the cycle of overthinking, you also give yourself the added benefit of enhancing your overall well-being. Immersing yourself in different experiences can provide mental clarity, reduce stress, and contribute to a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. I recommend prioritizing self-care and activities that nourish your mind and spirit.

While mulling can be productive and eventually lead you to solutions, it can also be all-consuming and distracting. To exit the mulling hamster wheel, try any of the above strategies to regain control over your thoughts. It’s time to develop a healthier approach to dealing with worries and uncertainties. You can start with just a few simple and intentional actions.MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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May 29, 2024 15 Questions to Build Trust in Your Leadership

It may seem surprising, but asking questions can actually make you a more trustworthy leader. Questions do not diminish your authority or make you appear weak. Rather, by asking the right questions, you can gain valuable insight, open the floor for more meaningful conversations, and demonstrate that you respect your team.

Which questions are the “right questions?” The simple answer is: open-ended questions that stimulate conversation and do not presuppose an answer. A question such as “Don’t you think Client X would benefit from our new product?” is not open-ended and not productive. It is only searching for agreement, not a true dialogue.

Instead, try asking questions that begin with words like How, What, or Why. These question words typically allow for a wide range of answers, not just a yes or no response.

The other half of asking good questions is practicing active listening. Leaders build trust by seeking their team’s thoughts, opinions, and ideas, and listening closely to the answers they give. This show of respect is integral to building trust

Next time you’re in a meeting (either with your entire team or a single individual) try asking some trust-building questions. Here are 10 to get you started—choose ones that are applicable to your team and situation.

  1. What resources do you need to complete your task?
  2. What is holding you/us back from success?
  3. How can I help?
  4. What are some possible solutions you envision?
  5. Who/what are we lacking to achieve success?
  6. What can I do to help foster more creativity?
  7. Why do you think                            is happening?
  8. What are your current frustrations?
  9. What is our biggest risk in this endeavor? What is the Plan B?
  10. Is this assignment a good fit for your talents? (Why or why not?)
  11. How does this add value to our mission?
  12. What effects will this decision have?
  13. How can we improve                     ?
  14. What opportunities can bolster our business?
  15. What else would you like me to know?

This is just a sampling of the questions you can ask your team. Get curious. Involve them in decision-making. Ask good questions and build trust.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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