#ChangeIt
Change It.
That was the advice I got from a recent coaching session. “Set your intention and change it” is what she told me.
One of the things I’ve struggled with this year is that my project schedule goes out the window ALL THE TIME. I end up juggling client work and putting in grueling hours because of unanticipated requests. These requests aren’t just unforeseen, but they are actually (at times) outlandish. She pointed out that I have the power to change it.
This is one I got yesterday morning (a Wednesday):
“I should have the final pieces of the book from the author today. Will you be able to review this and return it by Friday? I really need to get this to the designer this weekend.”
The book, in its current form, is 330 pages in Word. I’ve already edited it once and it took me 22 hours. The requester knows this. She paid my invoice. If she got me the book by noon, there would still only be 20 work hours left in the workweek.
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Instead of getting all fired up about this cockamamie request, I remembered what my coach told me (set your intention and change it), and I responded in this fashion:
“Unfortunately, I simply cannot turn something like this around so quickly. If you’d said by Christmas, I probably could make that happen. I understand if you need to look elsewhere. One option I recommend is [insert referral]. To be completely honest, it’s probably your best option during the holiday season.” #ChangeIt
In life, there are many things we do not have the power to change.
My husband’s 24-year Army career often had us scrambling because of changes to his schedule — from deployments being shuffled to the many “hey-you” training exercises he got called to monitor. I’ll never forget the day he called me at work (when I still worked outside the home) and told me, “Hey, I have to go to Germany for three weeks.” “Ok. When do you leave?” “The day after tomorrow.” OOO-KAYYYY. In that situation, we had absolutely no power change it. We adjusted our schedule to meet the Army’s mission.
But there are so many other things in our lives that you do have the ability to change. I’m a Type II diabetic. I cannot change that (as much as I’ve tried — believe me!), but I can manage it well. Through medication, diet and exercise, I can change my A1C to be in the normal range … so the threat of going blind, losing a foot or suffering from a heart attack or stroke is significantly reduced.
It’s not easy, and sometimes my body reminds me by revolting into a diabetic attack — usually in the middle of the night. My stomach churns, I sweat profusely and feel like absolute crap. But I know I have the power to change it. After allowing my body to heal and vowing to lay off the Christmas cookies (true story), I go back to what I’ve learned works: Exercising regularly, counting carbs, and not eating white foods (sugar, flour, pasta, rice) and ingesting more proteins, fruits and veggies. #ChangeIt
Business is no different (and I know you know this; it’s helpful to be reminded though, right?) While you cannot change the exorbitant increase in material costs (and production/shipping delays) and the many tolls a world-wide pandemic took on the business, there are things you can change.
Scenario 1: You cannot seem to find the time to get your website updated. Plus, one of the hurdles is you don’t even know where to start.
- Get your assistant (your spouse, your kid or hire a virtual assistant) to make a list of every page on your site in outline form. Identify the pages that are a priority. Commit to revise two pages a month until the project is complete, and if you can’t do it, hire someone who can. #ChangeIt
Scenario 2: As much as you know how important it is to stay in touch with past customers and prospects, you cannot seem to get your newsletter out regularly. It always gets pushed to the bottom of the pile. Besides, you don’t even know what to write about.
- Create a content inventory of ideas so you always have something to write about. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. Just one place where you store ideas. Then, schedule time to write 2–3 issues in one sitting. Repeat as necessary. #ChangeIt
- Or, subscribe to a newsletter content service (there are plenty of options) so you can get your newsletter out with regularity. #ChangeIt
Scenario 3: You are stuck in marketing overload. There is so much information out there, you don’t even know what’s working anymore. Who has time for this?
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- Seek out advice from someone you know, like and trust. Someone you feel understands your industry and can help you see through the weeds. Whether it’s a blog content/newsletter planning session to help you brainstorm ideas, a website review, or a one-on-one coaching session just to get unstuck and develop a real plan, there are plenty of us (me included) who truly want to help you break this marketing monster down into doable pieces. #ChangeIt
Remember, with most things, you have the power to #ChangeIt.
➡ If you’ve been thinking about a coaching session with me, now’s the time. I’ve opened up my one-off coaching sessions again — at 25% off right now (when you sign up by the end of the year)!
Schedule a Focus Session with me where we spend 90 minutes creating a custom plan based on your business and goals. Gain an organized and actionable plan to navigate your marketing expertly and efficiently in 2021.
