What do you do when you just don’t feel like working?  Even if you love your business, face it, there are days when you just don’t want to do it anymore. Possibly you feel like your business is running your life!

Maybe you fantasize about taking off on a hike to Machu Pichu or laying on the beach in Hawaii. You want to be free from the daily grind and commitment.

Small business is a labor of love but most business owners do everything themselves and get tired of the constant responsibility. One of my clients who is a real estate agent, says she hasn’t taken a vacation is six years. She’s  afraid to leave her clients as they trust her and want to work only with her, not her assistant.

Do you feeel anxious if you are away from your phone or computer for more than a day?

Is it hard for you to trust other people to work in your business?

If you answered yes to these two questions, then you are in trouble!

1. Begin to look at your work-life balance and what needs to change.
2. Make sure you get out into nature everyday, even for an hour.
3. Join a peer mastermind group to get support.
4. Hire an intern and learn how to train someone to work with you.
5. Plan a vacation and  know your business won’t die while you are away.

If you do these five things you will be healthier, more balanced and will be taking steps to move into more of a management role and will be able to take time off while you leave someone else at the helm.

If these things feel too hard and you think of a million excuses why you can’t, this is an indication you need  help. It may just be a matter of focus and clarity.

Today I was reminded about how important it is to have excellent and impeccable customer service.

I went to my favorite Computer shop. I’ve been their customer for five years, having bought two computers there and a pile of other computer related  stuff.

I have sent other people there and in a funny way, it’s given me a good feeling of security knowing they were my shop.

I discovered today that my picture was flawed.  Until now my only dealings had been with the clerks, as there have been no problems.  Now there was a bit of a problem that happened and I needed  support. My clerk was very nice but said he didn’t have the authority and he looked a bit uncomfortable. I wondered why until I met his boss, the manager.

This guy was cut from a different cloth. He seemed arrogant, condescending and patronizing.  After attempting to speak to him all I wanted was to get out of the store as fast as possible. I told him he had lost a really good customer. He clearly didn’t care. He didn’t even offer me a compromise.

I share this today to make a point. It is so important to honor your long term customers and do whatever you can to keep them happy and coming  back for another five years. It costs nothing to listen and be supportive, but it costs a huge amount to be uncaring.

The sad part is that this guy didn’t own the store. He was a hired manager. I have no idea if the owner carried these same values, but I can only assume he does.  Here is my credo for customer service.

1. Treat your customers like they are your sales team because they are.
2. Offer them a good deal to make them feel special because they are.
3. Never let them go away unhappy. You can’t always fix everything but you can listen and try to find a solution.

Customer service is the 7th piece of the marketing circle. Good customer service needs to be a part of your marketing plan. Do whatever you can to make your customers and clients feel special and valued.

Some days I feel that I am my own worst enemy. I remember reading Pogo cartoons when I was growing  up  ( I realize this probably dates me). I remember his famous line, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

If I could just get out of my own way, everything would just run so smoothly. I would get so much done and be so productive.

Whether you call them mental blocks, internal obstacles or thinking errors, they do the same thing. They stop you in your tracks and keep you from moving forward. They are all based on fear and self doubt.

Here are the most common five blocks and  suggestions to get past them.

1. Thinking you can’t afford it.
Some costs are actually investments in your business, and will in fact, bring you more money. Learn to differentiate between an investment and an expense. Focus on developing a positive prosperity attitude. Eliminating the words “can’t afford it,” is the first step.

2. Feeling like there is just not enough time to do everything.
Time is, in fact, endless and never runs out. It’s all about how you use your time. It could be that the real issue is your organizational systems.

3.Needing to do everything yourself and it’s just too much.
Your business will stay small unless you can let go and trust your ability to manage a team that can help you. Look for creative ways to get help.

4. Stuff that feels too hard and out of your comfort zone.
Everyone can’t be good at everything. If something is too hard you need to find someone to either do it for you or teach you, but don’t avoid it if it’s important.

5. The poor economy will affects your  business no matter what you do.
Focus on what you have total control over. You have the ability to spiff up your marketing, your organization, your leadership and your products. Focus on that and you can make a huge difference regardless.

Are you ready to make that shift from feeling blocked?

Join my  new 6 class seminar that begins in March 9. Get instant clarity, focus and transformation. Low investment and huge benefit.   Wake-up Your Marketing

Sign-up for my Free Prosperity Challenge.

Most people know about the power of visioning.  Gymnasts do it before their programs, runners do it before their big races and Norman Vincent Peale and Napolean Hill have written about creating success and wealth by just changing your thoughts.

It is also possible to put forth a strong vision for your year by creating a collage. I do this every year and hang it on the wall of my office. Every so often a glance at it and am overwhelmed by the focus I have put forth.

In December at looked at my 2009  collage and was flabbergasted that I had actually manifested so much of my vision. Some of it materialized in ways I could never have predicted.

I met with a lovely group of  woman the first week of January and created my 2010 collage.  I had no idea really, what would emerge, but again it is perfect.  I have hung it on the wall of my office again and now will watch it take shape.

Instructions on creating your new vision board!

Let me know how it goes!

While I was preparing for my networking group last night, I thought about what three words best describes what most small business owners need to do in order to reach the success they desire.

Vision. Having a sharp vision and picture of where you want to be at the end of the year is so important. Without this vivid vision you are less likely to arrive there.  You have to be able to vision it before you can manifest it.

Plan. Without a crystal clear plan and specific steps you will wander around confused and unfocused. Strategies are essential for reaching any goal.

Action.  If you have the vision and the plan, you still need to overcome your inner obstacles that keep you from taking focused action. Are you willing to walk out of your comfort zone, take a risk and go for it. Staying right where you are won’t change anything!

Take a few minutes and write in your answers to those three things above.  Write down clearly what your vision is, what your plan is and what action you will take. Save your answers and look at them again in a month as a reminder.

Then give yourself a big pat on the back.