My business has grown to be at near capacity, which I am definitely happy about. So when work slows down some (as it tends to do for me at the end of the month), I sometimes struggle with what to do with the time. More walks and back patio time happen for certain. I also enjoy knocking off some of the “things to take care of around the house” list – I mean, who doesn’t like to mark things off a checklist! It is nice to slow down and catch my breath and be thankful for it, remembering a time when the slowdown was more the norm than not.
Since this “found time” is rare and temporary, I realized it was the perfect time to take more deliberate steps to enhance my work environment.
If you’re interested in doing the same, here’s what I came up with:
1. Examine your business from the outside in. Listen to your outgoing voicemail message – is it friendly and clear? Has anything changed since you made it? For instance, my business name has changed, so that definitely needed updating! Look at your email signature – is your phone number included? Is all the information current? When was the last time you read your website homepage? Or subscribed to your own newsletter or freebie to see what happens?
2. Check out your social media profiles. Make sure your profile picture is a professional head shot and that it’s up to date. Mine was not – my transition to embracing my gray hair has been completed, so my profile picture everywhere needed to be changed out. Also, it’s a good time to ask for any recommendations on LinkedIn that you’ve been thinking about gathering.
3. Post past content. If you’ve got past newsletter articles that are not yet up on your website as well, take steps to add them. Add them as a LinkedIn article, too.
4. Clean up “tolerations.” You know, those annoying little things that you are still putting up with. Are you always struggling to find phone numbers? Do you keep needed supplies in the spare room instead of near your desk? Is there a pile of papers in the corner that you’ve ignored for months (years?)? Take the time now to handle these little annoyances.
5. Organize your desk. Take everything off (yes, everything), clean it thoroughly, and only add back what you need. Toss or put away what you don’t need. Don’t put the clutter back where it was!
6. Review your finances. Why wait until tax time to organize your expenses? Bring them up to date now.
7. Plan your next big project. What are you waiting for? Jump in! There’s no better time than the present!
For people who are used to being at capacity, a little down time can be disorienting. For me, I have to review everything to make sure there isn’t a project I neglected to handle. 😉 Yes, make sure you relax. But when you’re ready to jump back in, take advantage of the opportunity to take your business to the next level. Remember – it is only temporary!