As a small business, it can be tempting to focus only on the future: get more clients, make more money, hire more people, make more money, expand our office, make more money, take a vacation, make more money, and then retire.
But what are you doing to focus on your business today? Just today, not focusing on doing things for your business tomorrow, but for your business today.
It’s kind of a strange concept, really. Even as I’m writing those words, I’m questioning it. Don’t we always want to be working towards something in the future? Yes, but as a business (and as individuals), we don’t want to focus so much on the future goals that miss important moments as they are happening today.
Ways for Small Business to Focus on Today
The following is a list of ideas I just brainstormed on ways that we can all take a moment today (or any day) to become grounded in the moment for our business. We don’t want to miss opportunities to be present in our lives or in our business.
Customer Appreciation
Sometimes we can get so driven on acquiring new customers that we forget to really appreciate the customers we’re working with in the moment. I encourage you to take 15 minutes today to really show your current customers some appreciation. Also take a moment to be personally thankful for their business. Times are tough, and it’s valuable to recognize the impact your customers have on you today.
There are several ways to show appreciation to your customers and clients today: call them, send a thank you note, send a quick email, or offer them something for free. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, and it should be something you can do today.
Employee Appreciation
Our employees work hard every single day, and it’s critical that small business owners and employers really take time to appreciate them. It doesn’t take much effort or time to let your employees know how much you appreciate them.
Don’t Become Your Job
It doesn’t matter if you’re the owner or the new hire, focus on today by reminding yourself: don’t become your job. Yes, work is important, but it’s not the most important thing in life. You can have a love and passion for work, but don’t let it consume every minute of your day.
You’ll be better at your job if you create an identity outside of work. Start small: leave the office during your lunch hour to go for a walk, participate in something fun that’s non work-related (I just joined our community wind symphony for a non-work, non-family activity), and take small breaks throughout the day. Find ways to take advantage of today by doing something fun for yourself that’s not work-related. If you do this every day, your health and work performance will both improve.
Invest time and energy into things that don’t change
Your competitors are worrying about tomorrow, but you should stay focused on today. What are some things in your industry that don’t change? Many people will focus entirely on the things that change that they forget to invest in the things that stay the same. I realize this is kind of a vague item, but I’d like you to actually consider what this may mean in your business and industry. Think about the things that people are going to want today and ten years from now.
The next big thing is going to come and go, so stop focusing on the future and focus on things that are needed today that will continue to be needed tomorrow. For us, it’s speed, clarity, and simplicity. Our customers are always going to want that. The technology may change, but the need will remain the same. So that’s what we’re focusing on today and right now.
Conclusion
Enjoy today. Pretty simple.