Digital Marketing, Small Business Strategist

Confident Marketer

  • Home
  • Get Started
    • Build Your Business Plan
    • Organize Your Marketing
    • Prevent Overwhelm
    • Gain Confidence
    • Products
  • Consulting & Coaching
    • CEO Circle Community
    • Business Consulting
    • One Time Consultation
  • Sue’s Blog
  • About
    • About Sue Painter
    • Testimonials
    • Leave A Testimonial
    • Media
    • Speaking
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Marketing and Business Development / What Should You Promise Not To Do Today?

What Should You Promise Not To Do Today?

November 1, 2009 by Sue Painter 2 Comments

NoI was talking with another Book Yourself Solid coach the other day, Lou Bortone.  He made the comment that he actually puts on his To-Do list a column for NOT To-do.  This got me thinking about delegation, letting go, and knowing when to quit doing a part of your business.  I think about this a lot, because it is often a place that my coaching clients get stuck.  Seeing the goodness of NOT doing, when you have been used to doing it all, is often hard to get.  But, if an entrepreneur doesn't get this vital piece of business savvy she will not grow her business.

One great way to get a bird's eye view of what you can let go of is to list out all your business systems.  (For more about how to get a bird's eye view of your biz, see my recent video on the topic.  This can be enlightening for many reasons, but let's stick to the topic of what you should not be doing.  If you don't have a ready list of your business systems, you can get a start by reading this recent blog post.  Print it out, and go through each with an eagle eye.  Be honest!  Sort out what your tasks should be, focusing on those that will make you money in the future.  Any daily tasks you more than likely should be handing off.  Why?  Because administrative details don't make you money – they maintain the business and they are important, but they are not building toward future income.

What I find is that entrepreneurs and solo professionals tend to hang on to administrative tasks because, frankly, they are comfortable doing these things.  It's easier to hide behind these little details than it is to step out and create the new business that will cause you to bring in future income.  The truth is, your two highest priorities must always be to market your business and create new income streams.  Maintenance of current income streams comes from your managing the systems that keep things going – managing, not doing these thing.  Worked ON your business rather than IN your business is what will keep you ahead of the game.

My recommendation is to make use of Lou's tip until delegating and managing are second nature to you.  Before you do any task or take on a new task, ask yourself “should I really be spending my precious time doing this?”  Make your To-Do list, and out to the side make your “Not-To-Do” list – and promise yourself to stay away from those things you should not be doing today.

(c) Sue Painter

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Filed Under: Marketing and Business Development Tagged With: Business Planning, Coaching for Small Business Owners

Get your copy of "20 Questions to Help You Expand Your Business Without Frustration or Overwhelm©"

I understand I will also receive email updates from Sue Painter or from the Confident Marketer. We never rent, sell, or share your contact information. See Privacy Policy​​ here.​

Related Posts

  • Time Off – Do You Want More Of It But Don’t See How?
  • Small Business Savvy – 5 Issues Most Business Owners Face Right Now
  • Can You Go It Alone?

Comments

  1. suepainter says

    November 2, 2009 at 9:33 pm

    Awesome idea, Roz. We do have to look at both energies, the light AND the dark. Otherwise, the dark still plays out in each person’s life. Thanks for your comment!
    Sue

    Reply
  2. Rosalind Fruchtman says

    November 2, 2009 at 10:43 am

    This reminds me of when I did my “UN-grateful list!” It’s like taking your POWER BACK!

    People are always talking about their “Grateful or Gratitude List!” However, we know “life happens” and NOT everything is good. In the end… We might be able to turn it into something good, but initially it is NOT good and we have to come to terms and move on. So…

    After praying and praying and more praying for guidance… I woke up one Sunday morning and decided to do an “UN-grateful List” and it was magical. I truly mean this! I felt a shift I have NEVER felt in my life. It was liberating and I was truly able to move on.

    I will say this though… You need to be in a place where you can deal with the feelings it may generate. I was already there so I had no place to go but up!

    Roz Fruchtman

    Reply

Join the Conversation Cancel reply

Sue Painter

Search

JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK

Sue Painter, business consulting and coaching

Contact Sue

Voice: 865-414-3393
Skype: knoxvillesue
E-mail: Sue@ConfidentMarketer.com
Contact Form

Knowledge Center

Search

Meet Sue

Passionate about helping small business owners create income with confidence, clarity, and big vision. Certified Book Yourself Solid Coach, and expert author for ezinearticles.com and SelfGrowth.com.

EPC Insitute LogoBook Yourself Solid Coach Amazon Best Selling Author Certified Agile Marketing Specialist Badge Intellifluence Trusted Blogger badgeSue Painter's Intellifluence Influencer Badge
Ezine Articles Expert Author Blogspot - Top 100 Business Coach Blog Award Find Sue Painter on Amazon Social Media Marketing Society 2021 Member badge

Refund Policy • Disclaimers and Legal Rights
Affiliate/Earnings Disclaimer • Terms of Use • Privacy Policy

© Copyright 2010 - 2021 Confident Marketer

Consulting and Online Training for Women Entrepreneurs
All Rights Reserved