Running a business can feel like a constant juggling act. From managing clients and projects to keeping up with daily tasks, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. So, how do you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters?
We chatted with Lauren Glynn about her three-step guide to help you prioritize what’s most important, eliminate overwhelm, and build sustainable habits that will lead to long-term success.
Step 1: Define Your Why
Before you can truly focus on what matters, you need to understand why you’re in business in the first place. This isn’t just about making money—it’s about knowing the deeper purpose behind what you do. Maybe it’s about creating freedom in your life, sharing a passion with the world, or supporting your family. Whatever your “why” is, it’s important to be crystal clear on it because this will drive everything else you do.
When you define your why, it becomes a guidepost for decision-making. It helps you stay aligned with your vision, especially when things get tough or you’re faced with opportunities that don’t quite fit. Your why will evolve as your business grows, but it should always be at the core of every decision you make. Without it, you risk getting lost in busywork that doesn’t bring you closer to your goals.
For example, if your why is to have more time with family, then you can confidently say no to projects that demand more of your time than you’re willing to give. Or if your why is to help others who feel overwhelmed by technology, your business should reflect that, from the services you offer to the way you interact with clients.
Step 2: Set Specific, Short-Term Goals
While having a long-term vision is essential, it’s the smaller, short-term goals that keep you moving forward. Instead of setting broad, year-long goals, focus on goals you can achieve in the next 12 weeks. This method makes it easier to break down big dreams into actionable steps, giving you a clear path to follow.
Think about the specific outcomes you want. Instead of saying, “I want more clients,” ask yourself, how many clients do you want? Set a realistic but slightly challenging goal, like booking two new clients in the next 12 weeks. Then, get clear on the actions that will help you reach that goal. What has worked for you in the past? If social media posts haven’t brought in clients, maybe your focus should be on something more effective, like networking or speaking engagements.
Short-term goals also allow you to measure your progress more easily. Each small win keeps you motivated and shows that you’re on the right track. By breaking your larger vision into achievable chunks, you’ll build momentum without feeling overwhelmed by the bigger picture.
Step 3: Develop Habits to Support Your Goals
It’s not enough to set goals—you need consistent habits that support them. Instead of relying on long to-do lists that never seem to get done, create habits that are part of your weekly routine. These habits should directly tie into your short-term goals, helping you make steady progress without constantly reinventing the wheel.
For example, if your goal is to get two new clients in the next 12 weeks, what habits will help you get there? Maybe it’s dedicating time each week to networking or reaching out to potential clients. If content creation is a part of your strategy, block out time in your calendar every week to write blog posts or social media content. The key here is consistency—by making these habits part of your regular schedule, they become automatic and much easier to maintain.
Time-blocking is a great way to make sure these habits stick. Schedule specific time slots in your calendar for the activities that will move you closer to your goals. Treat these blocks of time like meetings with yourself—non-negotiable and protected from interruptions. When you dedicate time to your key habits, you’ll find it easier to stay on track and avoid the temptation to procrastinate or push things to “tomorrow.”
Bonus Tip: Protect Your Time
As a business owner, your time is your most valuable resource. One of the best ways to protect it is by setting boundaries around your schedule. Consider dedicating specific days for meetings and reserving other days for deep work. For example, you might decide to only take meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, leaving Mondays and Wednesdays for focused tasks that need your undivided attention.
By protecting your time, you create space to work on the things that truly matter without the constant distractions of meetings and calls. Plus, this approach helps you avoid burnout—giving you dedicated time to focus on your business, while still leaving room for client interactions on designated days.
Make Prioritization a Habit, Not a Task
Prioritizing what matters in your business comes down to three key steps: defining your why, setting specific short-term goals, and building the right habits to support those goals. This isn’t about doing more—it’s about focusing on the things that will bring you closer to your vision.
By understanding your why, breaking your goals into manageable steps, and developing consistent habits, you can eliminate the overwhelm and build a business that not only grows but also aligns with the life you want to create. And remember, your time is valuable—protect it, and use it wisely to create the business and life you truly want.
About Lauren Glynn
Using her experience from working with Fortune 500 companies and the federal government, Lauren Glynn helps online business owners get organized and productive by creating processes that help them manage their time, even with having everything on their plate. With Lauren’s guidance, they can focus on what truly creates value, ease the overwhelm, and build a business that supports the life they want. Her clients gain the clarity and control they need to confidently grow their business without feeling stretched too thin.
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KP’s design journey began in book publishing, but she fell in love with the truly limitless possibilities that web design presents. Since then, she’s been helping photographers and creatives become the no-brainer option for their dream clients before they even get on a call.
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10/15/24
Published On:
Krystianna Pietrzak
