Time to Put My Brain on the Charger
The day after #SBOC26 wrapped, I came home and crashed. Does that happen to you?
We can push hard for a conference, a launch or a busy season. After that we need a real break but a lot of us keep going anyway.
An OnDeck survey found 61% of small business owners take just five days off a year. Isn’t that a crime? We work so hard to build a business that technically offers unlimited vacation and we don’t even take it. To make it worse: 67% of owners who do go on vacation still check in with work at least once a day and only 15% fully unplug!
So here's what I'm doing. Businessing is off for a week and a half, I’m throwing my phone into Lake Michigan. Then, I’m hopping a flight for my unplug happy place: Las Vegas.
We work this hard so we can have an awesome life.
That means actually taking the break when it shows up.
Get your next real break on the calendar NOW. And, while you’re at it, block out Thanksgiving week and the two weeks between Christmas and New Years. Do it NOW before dumb stuff gets scheduled.
BRB, I gotta see a guy about a thing in the desert.
Wish me luck!
THIS WEEK ON BUSINESSING:
What to Say When They Say They Can't Afford You
Before you slash your price, ask one question: if the money were there, would you do this? Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dng28VqM0es
The show is live Monday through Thursday at 11 Central. Subscribe on YouTube and it's waiting for you: https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessingShow?sub_confirmation=1
Back live Monday, October 5.
Tweet of the week
Seen.
Three Things I’m Thinking About This Week
Whoa - I’m Featured on Anthropic’s Small Business Website! - As you know, I’m Claude Obsessed and I’ve been helping Owners install Claude in their daily routine. It’s life changing stuff. My evangelism was recognized by Anthropic and they’ve quoted me on their Small Business Blog! Confetti! Streamers! Check it Out. And if you’ve been thinking adding Claude as your Junior Employee, Click HERE to sign up for a free 30-Minute Claude Assessment - we’ll review your business, what could be fixed, and how FAST you could transform your day-to-day operations.
Prune your rooms - On Wednesday's show, someone asked what we're still doing that we should've stopped months ago. My answer: prune the rooms you go to. We carry a sunk cost on the groups we're in. I've been having breakfast with these people every week for three years. Okay, how's that working out for you? Is it a social hour, or are you getting business? List every group on your calendar and write down what you want it to do for your business AND IF IT’S DELIVERING. If it’s not, that room is up for review.
Never. Stop. Following. Up. - Someone asked Tuesday how many times to follow up on a proposal before they look desperate. I don't care if I look desperate. If they heard the pitch, heard the number and said they loved it, that's the hottest lead you could have. Find every proposal that went cold in the last 90 days and send a new note this week: "I was really excited about our conversation. When can we get started?”
