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Episode #119
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What I've heard a lot from aspiring entrepreneurs I've worked with and groups I've been in is that they feel overwhelmed. They try and create a business while in a full-time job and after their enthusiasm wanes it becomes a little too much to juggle.
That overwhelm comes from not having prepared in advance. You have to accept that you have to make changes in your life upfront before you start to make the space in your life for your business to grow.
But what do you need to do to prepare?
There are mental and practical preparations you need to consider.
MENTALLY DISCONNECT FROM YOUR CAREER
The first is mentally uncoupling from your career. In other words, stepping back from your ambition, effort, loyalty and focus on your job. Turning it in your mind from ‘who you are’ into something that just pays the bills.
This shift in mindset can be difficult for some people because they’ve been connected to it for so long and it's been something that they've been working hard on for so long that it is hard to disentangle themselves from it.
But this is very important because until you can mentally disconnect from the need to perform, you are always going to have this drive to put all your effort into your job.
WHEN WILL YOU WORK ON YOUR BIZ
Another thing you need to think about when you are starting a business alongside your job is WHEN you will work on your business.
What time of day are going to be doing it? What day of the week? How long for?
This is something you have to schedule, and you have to honour that schedule as well. As soon as you start your business startup project, that is your priority that time.
You must get into a routine with this. Pick a day and time and stick to it.
WHAT WILL YOU WORK ON
When you have the time scheduled, you should know exactly what the next task you need to be doing is. That means you need to have a solid plan.
Having that plan in place will help you make sure that you get the right thing done at the right time and that you can make the most of every moment that you have free.
WHERE YOU WILL WORK
Most likely this will be at home. Create a workspace that you can use to focus on your business project. But if your home isn't a place that you can work from you need to find another space. For example, if you've got distractions, like children or other people around that’s going to allow you to work or you just don't have the space.
Then you can think of somewhere outside the home, maybe it's a coffee shop, maybe it's the local library, but somewhere you think you're going to get some peace for that time.
PREPARE OTHERS
You are going to be starting this business. This is going to be your future income and it’s important. You need to have the people around you supporting you, and if they don't support you, at least understand what you are doing.
They need to know that this is important and that they will respect what you're doing.
CREATE TIME FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Think about practical things in your life that take up time other than your job. Things like cooking, cleaning, gardening, looking after the kids if you have any.
What can you delegate or outsource to free up your time?
If you can afford it, then think about, getting a cleaner, getting someone who can come in and maybe cook your meals, who can do the gardening.
You don't have to do it forever, but for this particular part of time, you need all the help you can get so you can focus on your business and your job.
CREATE GOOD HABITS FIRST
Habits in terms of good sleep hygiene, health and wellbeing and your ability to be able to be productive in the time you have. These are all habits that you can start creating even before you start working on your business.
Once you're actually in the middle of creating your business, your mind is going to be so full, you may not be able to create good habits then.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS...
The more you do to prepare before you get going on your business startup project, the better. Because when you get started, you will have your mind and hands full with balancing everything.
Do not underestimate how much time it will take, how much energy you will need and the help and support you're going to have to accept to make it happen.
But with preparation, you create. a firm foundation and send out a clear intention to yourself and those around you that this business is happening. It's not some fantastical dream. It's something that you're committed to.
