May 23 2012
Confessions From an Overloaded Entrepreneur
I had an experience recently of feeling like I had taken on way too much and had too many deadlines.
All the stuff I was trying to do was important to my business development but things started to fall through the cracks. I felt like I was trying to outrun a train.
What I realized is that I had jumped into developing three new arms of my business; an e-course, an affiliate program and a virtual summit, all at once. Each one, filled with new issues, was a stretch.
I took three days off and felt a sense of peace. For a couple days I just focused on one job and then gradually the intensity came back and I was aware of all the stuff I was not getting done. I do have an assistant but training her becomes another job.
I finally woke up and realized I needed to shift the timeline of one of my bigger projects, the virtual summit. This project involves other people so I had to tell people and change commitments.
This brought up other issues for me – feeling like I would look flakey. I thought, “Does this ever end?” I knew the answer to that question. No it never ends. It is all part of being an entrepreneur. If I wanted it easy, I would keep my business small or I would (heaven forbid) get a job.
Here are some guidelines I developed for myself as a result of this process. Maybe they will also help you.
1. Know that you have chosen to be an entrepreneur and this means your work is never done. It is even more true with the way we all do business now online. This is normal:)
2. Ideally only develop one new program at a time. This way you can focus on it, learn, grow and still keep everything else going. OK- I still have two, but I am learning!
3. Get support. Find mastermind buddies; people to talk with and share with. I connected with a close friend who also owns a business and we agreed to check in with each other once a week. Whew!
4. Get out and move everyday, eat well and stay in balance.
5. Keep your main focus on your clients and this is what you love!
6. Share your new insight in a blog post. It’s therapeutic and you will help other people as well.
Would you add anything to this list. I would love to hear from you.
9 Responses to “Confessions From an Overloaded Entrepreneur”
I took on way too many projects this quarter. I had to remind myself slow down and produce quality work — not rushed, sloppy work. I’m sure my clients will appreciate the end result, plus keep them in the loop on project status.
This is so timely for me right now! I’ve been going through exactly the same things. Thank you!
This was timely for me, too! It is refreshing and helpful to hear other entrepreneurs deal with the same issues. I recently realized I was taking on too much and I needed to clear my plate, put things on the back burner, and just focus on one thing right now, get it done, and then take on one of the other projects. I am now more focused and productive. Win-win!
I just moved a project deadline back two weeks, but I think it will make the difference between a well-executed project and a slapdash one that would be of less value to my clients. The choice was obvious!
Kaya, this is so timely for me as well, feeling overwhelmed, still (and always) trying to prioritize where to put my energy in regards to my business. I think that it is helpful for me to be reminded that being an entrepreneur is a choice, and that while my work is never done, I can define what is “done” for the day or week!
thanks,
Rachel
Wow!! Thank you all for your supportive comments. What a relief to know I am not alone. It is so great that you all are chiming in. Because of my decision, I actually had the time to write this today
Thanks — needed this, as I have been feeling overwhelmed lately as well
Thanks, Kaya, for sharing this particular “adventure.” Very helpful indeed.
I found myself in a similar situation, Kaya, ending up in four classes, three of which are for business building and the other a class related to my spiritual development. My antidote for over-doing is very early morning meditation, journaling and affirmative prayer. That gives me the clarity around what to minimize and where to focus my energies most effectively. Thanks for being very open with your situation and involving others in the process.