Tis the Season- For small businesses to plan!

December is here!

Our home is being taken over by lights, red&green ANYTHING, music makers, nativities of varying sizes, and of course the TO DO list.

Well as I make my to do list I first have to look back on the things I’ve accomplished this year. Now for ANYONE who is starting a business, or running their own small business one solid piece of advise I can give is GOAL setting.  Not only with sales or money, but also with balancing home life or taking care of your self.  So I’m going to share a bit about my process.

1st – I make my list of priorities: God, Family, Business, Self Care  (yes self care should be higher, but I’m being honest here)

2nd- take top priority and make your goal list.

God– daily prayer time, helping out at church, volunteering/outreach more.      Family– 30 minutes daily of uninterrupted non tv play with my daughter, date night, family days, clean home, debt free (I put this under family since its the people who bears the weight).  Business– book __ number of weddings, book __ number of new clients, get published in a wedding blog, earn $_____ in 2016, earn another award/recognition, be a vendor at one bridal show, build up my referral network.  Self Care– time with friends (girls nights), consistent gym attendance, bible study, sleep in days, books.

3rd- SCHEDULE, SCHEDULE, SCHEDULE !   I’m more of a flexible schedule keeper.  THAT DOESNT WORK when you’re a mom, wife, business owner, and  other numerous things.  My daily schedule includes parts of my goals/priorities.  I schedule play dates, friend outings, book clubs, ministry events, date nights, sleep in days, family dates, etc.   It is sometimes overwhelming to look at but I also feel accomplished, satisfied and heart happy.  Today for example is “Whatever Wednesday”  the one day a week that is set aside for whatever my daughter and i feel like doing.  Right now she is playing with chalk in the freezing cold and trying to get out dog to sit still so she can trace his outline.  But this is the day that breakfast isn’t perfect, dinner is usually something bought or warmed up.  And usually includes a last minute trip to Disneyland.       For my business I also schedule when to write blogs, set up media sharing (month at a time), set up reminders to follow up with potential clients, and set up days to drive to venues I want to work with and bring them gifts.  Its more then just time to edit photos.

All other days: 5am- wake up, get coffee, and have devotional prayer & worship time

6am- make the bed, clean up over the house, have a Hulu show on, set up for the day.

7:30am Daughter is up.  breakfast time  (either get ready for school or stay in home)

9am- school time/pinterest time.  We will pick out a craft or activity to do

11:30/12 clean up & lunch (one cartoon)

1:30- get ready for nap

2pm- nap & office hours for me

4pm- dinner prep, errands, play time, walk, or gym

6:30pm- Dinner/cleanup/get ready for bed

8pm- bed time & office hours for me

Of course this schedule is often “dinner on way to bible study” “school time at school” etc.

For your business, alway put goals where you can see them.  This past year I knew i wanted to grow my business, but also my skill.  I invested in business courses and coaching sessions with people in the biz.  I won 3 awards this year.  One for customer service, and two for wedding photos.  I truly am thankful for all my clients, family, friends who believed in me this year as I stepped up my game!