As we work to create a growing business, we often find ourselves caught in a relentless cycle of day-to-day tasks, leaving little room to step back and view the bigger picture. The concept of working on your business, rather than getting bogged down working in it, is a transformative mindset that promises not just growth, but a rekindling of the passion or zest for why you started your business to begin with.
“I don’t have time for that,” you might think, or “Isn’t that just diverting from crucial daily tasks?” But what if I told you that finding time isn’t about searching — it’s about creating? And it’s not just beneficial, it’s non-negotiable for your business’s growth and your fulfillment.
In the last conversation, we looked at why you should spend time working on your business. But as I noted many people are thinking “I don’t have time for that!” or “Isn’t that diverting from crucial daily tasks?” so I want to take the leap from understanding to action. How can you “find” the time to focus on the big picture? Also, I believe it is non-negotiable for your business’s growth plus your fulfillment. As we noted there are some pitfalls of being constantly trapped in day-to-day tasks.
I believe that all of the strategies we need to create our own success are extremely simple concepts. The challenge is always in the implementation because these concepts are an uncommon mindset without instant gratification.
So here it is in a simple formula: dedicate 15% of your business work time to on-type tasks. Whether you’re able to sustain 80 hours a week or maybe you are only able to nurture a part-time role in small business ownership for 20 hours a week, carving out time for working on your business is essential. Your 15% will be your 15%, but the key is commitment.
Let’s break it down further. Suppose you’re dedicating a standard 40-hour workweek to your business. That translates to just six hours a week, or 72 minutes a day, committed to working on your business. I know some people are thinking, “But Aaron, I don’t have an extra 6 hours!” This is great news because you already have built in your very first working-on task. The first project is to conduct a time study over two weeks to truly understand where your time goes. You’ll likely discover tasks that can be delegated or eliminated, or made more efficient. You might find your 72 minutes a day plus just by choosing to participate in social media on your computer only. It could eliminate the mindless scrolling and allow for the time needed to work on your business.
Those 72 minutes a day are not just time spent; they’re an investment in the heart and soul of your business. It’s the secret sauce to not just surviving but thriving. Don’t just add working-on tasks to your to-do list; schedule them. Use time blocking to carve out time in your calendar and commit to it as you would any crucial appointment. If you miss it, reschedule—your business’s future depends on it.
I challenge you to think about how you’ll integrate working-on time into your routine. Will you set aside time blocks, make a public commitment, or join a mastermind for accountability? Embrace this uncommon mindset and commit 100% to implementing more working-on time to your business. It’s the path to falling in love with your business. Remember, success is simple, but it requires commitment to execute.
I’m here to support you on this journey. For resources, guidance, or a conversation about your business, reach out at ConsultAaron.com. Take the step today to work on your business, and watch success arrive faster than you ever imagined.
