Have You Taken Time to Think Today?
When was the last time you simply took a few hours to actually THINK about your business? It seems like our schedules are so jam packed that we are always in a perpetual state of action – putting out fires, that is.
“Working on your business instead of in your business” has become a series of words we often say and recommend to people, but don’t often do. I’ve been wondering why.
Stephen Covey’s famous chapter in 7-Habits of Highly Effective People has seemed go un-appiled most of the time. I have a theory about why this is. I believe that we are a culture that deep down inside feels that it’s DOING that matters and taking time to think looks like you’re being lazy or something.
Here is a real-life example from my life on how I spent a lot of time doing – and now have to spend even MORE time thinking about how to fix it.
I started a membership site called DIYMarketers in October of 2008. It reminded me of literally building a house and filling it with “stuff.” What I’m finding is that the site now resembles a house with a bunch of furniture and rooms that have no rhyme or reason; much like the design shows you see on TV where people have a spare bedroom that’s actually a storage area and then can’t sell the house because potential buyers just don’t understand what the space is meant to do.
Now I’m dedicating a couple of hours every day to really thinking about what my web space is all about. I’m imagining that DIYMarketers is a house. I’m imagining who I’d like to come and visit and where I will take them inside the house. What will they do in each room? How will I make their visit a pleasant experience?
This has proven to be much more difficult than filling it up with content. Thinking about your business is sharpening your saw. Thinking about your business will help you prioritize all your activities. Thinking about your business will help you save time, money and effort that you’re currently spending on activities that may not yield profit.
How do you make the time to think about your business — or do you?
On the photography side of my life I am always thinking about what the customer needs. My blog has changed from posting pretty pictures to posting podcasts with videos on how to post process your digital images. I now have image processing tips. All because of customer feedback and listening… I would add that we don’t listen to your thoughts…. Habit #5 in Coveys landmark book… “Seek first to understand and THEN to be understood” If we add this part first and then get about the business of thinking then I think we will be MUCH more productive AND useful to the customer… We can create beautiful websites and blogs but if they are not customer focused, what is the point?
Amen to that on all counts John!
I love that thought too – seek to understand THEN to be understood. When I look at myself, I find that seeking to understand is a process that takes time and patience.
I just recently had to adjust my “method of operation”. I found myself just going through the motions of maintaining my online presence without creating any particular direction. I also noticed, to my dismay, that I was not taking any time to exercise. I felt I was “goofing off” if I went for a run or cycled. I decided that it was to the benefit of my business to get away from the computer and spend the time outside. Because neither cycling or running takes your full attention, it allows me to think about my business. It also seems to enhance my creativity by getting blood flow through my brain. I also carry a small notebook with me in case I get a “brain storm” while out.