Moving Your Business Forward

May 18, 2011 by Holly Ralston-Oyler

Most of us look at our goals as the main thing we need to accomplish.  I used to think the goal was the only thing I needed to accomplish.  Needless to say, I did not accomplish the majority of goals I set for myself.

If this is your overall thinking about your goals, you are missing the most important step when it comes to productivity and “moving your business forward,” a signature statement by Helen Raptoplous. There is something in her question of  “Have you moved your business forward today?” that makes you suddenly take notice and creates the need to honest with yourself. In my case, the answer used to be no.  Bottom line, focused productivity is the only thing that is going to move your business forward.

To increase your productivity you need to look at each and every task you need to complete in order to attain your goal. Each of those tasks needs to be of equal value as that of the original goal.  When the step-by-step tasks take on importance, it is amazing how your work progress will proceed and the amount of work you will end up accomplishing  in a single day.

Last week the dreaded printer-low-on-ink message appeared on my office printer. So I did what any well respected business woman would do, I entered buy printer ink in my planner. That was a nice start, but I forgot some very important items that go along with that single chore.  Simple things like, get dressed, put on makeup, get in the car, open garage door before backing up (yes, it has happened), drive to the office supply store, purchase ink, return home, put garage door down,  install ink, and, finally, get back to work. That simple three-word chore has suddenly turned into an hour or longer event.  It is hard to make ourselves think about all the additional steps we need to take before the final outcome is complete.

If you work centers around Internet Marketing, there is a plus side to the outcome of chore above. You are already behind in your daily schedule, so what’s another hour? You have on makeup and you have combed your hair, so why waste those efforts? Make a couple of videos to promote and “move your business forward”!

But What About The Goal?

If you have a huge goal ahead, you may be tempted to shortcut or eliminate some of the tasks needed to build a solid foundation for your end result. You may even have the idea that rushing through your tasks will help you reach the final goal that much sooner. That concept never works and it always comes back to bite you.

When you do not give the process of each task your very best, no matter how small the shortcut, the final results will not be as stellar as your original vision. Don’t panic…giving your best to each task does not mean you are making something appear more important than it actually is, wasting time, or forgetting about your ultimate goal.

Giving your best means making sure that each task you do receives the time and attention it deserves. It means (and shows) that you take even the smallest task as seriously as you do the goal. Devoting a proper amount of time and attention to each and every task will not slow you down, either. In fact, it will help you to be more motivated for every task ahead.

This new way of thinking and working has not come easily for me.  A few months ago I joined the The 30 Day Productivity Challenge, founded by Helen Raptoplous of Action Habits.com.

The wonderful thing about this new way of working is simple. You are not working by yourself. You are in fact working together with people from all over the world. Each one in the 30DPC group is cheering you on, supporting your decisions and yes, even the change in direction you may choose to make.  And, we all celebrate the wins we accomplish, no matter how small or large they may be.  We communicate twice a month via teleseminar and several times a day through social media.

Are you ready for a built-in support network to help you accomplish your goals? I hope you will join in the 30DPC conversation soon. I look forward to seeing you there.  If you are still not sure, join Helen on her next FREE Productivity Training Call