i have no time! how do i build my new business?
i get asked various versions of this question a lot, so i thought it was about time that i address it on the blog.
first off, this is an issue that soooo many entrepreneurs face, especially when first starting out. so, don't think you're alone! trying to balance a full-time job AND a new biz AND teaching yoga AND having some semblance of a life can seem like a no-win situation.
but, you needn't get down on yourself for not being able to devote endless hours to your business -- instead, decide how much time you can comfortably commit to focusing on your new venture – even if it’s only 2-3 hours on Saturday mornings, and (here's the kicker) be OK with that.
when we beat ourselves up for "not doing enough”, we get ourselves totally stressed out and are much less productive. so, instead of thinking you're somehow "failing" by not working on your new business 24/7 make the best possible use of the time you do have available.
how do you make the best use of your time?
first -- sit down, and write out your goals for your biz for over the next 12 months (i.e. get a website set-up, start a newsletter, get 5 new clients, etc.).
second -- break those down month by month.
third -- now that you have an outline of what you're hoping to accomplish each month, use that as a guide to figure out what you need to work on, research, or look into during your dedicated biz time each and every week.
(also, you might wanna check out this video: the actual time it takes to start a yoga biz for more strategies & advice :-)
a big part of "turning pro" is simply making your biz a priority (something amateurs don’t do!) – even if that means only during a few hours a week. then, as you begin to see some gains in your biz, you can decide if you can begin to back away from your full-time work, or rework your schedule to make more time for your growing business.
the most important thing is to not be too hard on yourself, and feel like you’re not doing enough. pros KNOW that they need down-time in order to bring their best selves when they are working/playing/creating.
{ONE MORE THOUGHT}
have you read steven pressfield’s book turning pro? i did a video review of it, and the info he shares will totally rock your world (and business)!
i want to hear from you! how many hours per week do you set aside for your yoga biz?