[Part 1] For all CEOs / Entrepreneurs

Pre-S: Quick heads up… Later this week I’m hosting a casual Q&A call to share all the details about my upcoming business coaching program for agency owners, consultants, and entrepreneurs who want to run their full-time business on a part-time schedule. Let me know if you’d like me to include you on the calendar invite. * * * Every year since 2017 I’ve been able to take about 8 weeks of vacation. This amount of margin in my business and life is a huge contrast from how things used to be for me… It used to be that I would maybe squeak out a few days of time off each year. To be candid, I just didn’t know how NOT to work and how NOT to be the bottleneck for everything in my business. I didn’t know how to say “no”. I didn’t know how to slow down. But in 2017 I made some big changes that not only changed my business… they changed my whole life. . . . . Starting today, and over the next few days, I want to share a few “CEO habits” that I’ve put in place which have drastically changed the way I run my company and the way I lead myself. Now. These are not some magical, secret solution. It’s not always easy going all the time for me. There are definitely times in the business when things are busier than I’d like them to be. And there are times when I am stressed out, scared, anxious, frustrated… (sometimes all at once) BUT… The point is that, with these CEO Habits, I always have a path and a system to get back on track. And so, today, we’re kicking off part 1 in a series of CEO Habits. Let’s dive in Habit 1: Focused CEOs Get Clear As a the leader of your business — even if you’re a solopreneur — it’s on you to get clear. You must know the answer to these two questions: - What matters most? - What are you going to do about it? When you’re NOT clear, here’s what happens…. - Your business begins to slow down. Perhaps you’re running on past fumes. But you don’t know how to fix it. - You (and your team) lack a clear plan for how to spend your time or even what direction to go. - You (and your team) end up filling your time with shallow work that it feels wasteful. It doesn’t add up to anything meaningful. - You end up working 8-hour days or longer, relying on effort and hustle and luck to move the business forward, because you’re not sure what your highest leverage activities are. - You have trouble delegating to your team because — surprise — there’s a lack of clarity. So it’s easier for you to “just do it yourself”… thus keeping you stuck in the weeds rather than being able to focus on the high-level growth activities that only you can do as the boss. In short, when you don’t take the time to get clear it results in busywork, spinning your wheels, and nothing adding up. It’s expensive, exhausting, and frustrating. However! When you are clear… Then there is a unity and focused direction amongst your team. This is thanks to the laser clarity on exactly what to do next. As a clear CEO, you should be offering frequent, helpful communication to your team that keeps everyone on the same page — and then [you step out of their way](. (You don’t lead through “abdication”.) Imagine also, having the ability to say “no” to all the amazing ideas and opportunities you have… all without guilt or fear! Clarity liberates you from the burden of opportunity. In short, clarity builds momentum and drives growth. If you ever hope to simplify your working hours and grow your business then you absolutely HAVE to develop the habit of getting clear. That’s all for now. Tomorrow, be on the lookout for CEO Habit number 2. Now, a question for you: What is one thing in your business that you’re stuck on or that you lack clarity? — Shawn P.S. The thing is… When it comes to getting clear, the challenge I see most business owners face is that they never take the time to stop and think about their business. Which is why I host a small, business coaching program a few times a year. It’s your opportunity to serve you and create a space for you to pause and get clear. Inside the program I work with you hands on to build your Business Mission Map. This simple document is the key to clarity (for you and your whole team). It identifies exactly what matters most and what you’re going to do about it. If you’re interested in the program, let me know and I’d be happy to send you the details. To unsubscribe, click [here](. Blanc Media, 714 Main St., Grandview, MO 64030, United States