One of the biggest obstacles to achieving your business goals is distraction.
And if you’re ANYTHING like me, everything can be a distraction.
That’s why it’s so important to have your goals written down and in front of you.
Now, hopefully you’ve already set your new year’s goals, but if not, I’ve included some tips for that as well, so sit back with that cup and enjoy!
1. Define Your Business Goals
Write Specific Goals
If you want to reach the top of the mountain, you need a clear and specific goal.
Your goal should inspire and motivate you and give you direction.
Take the time to define what success means to you and make a plan to achieve it.
Set Meaningful Goals
Effective goal setting is the foundation of any successful endeavor.
By identifying your priorities and values, you can set meaningful goals that align with your vision.
Remember to break down your goals into smaller, achievable tasks to maintain motivation and track your progress along the way.
Write Your Goals Down
Write your goals down and keep them somewhere visible to remind you of what you’re working towards.
I have my goals on my board next to my, along with any pictures that go with my goals.
For example, I want to work in the winter from the beach.
2. Visualize Your Success
To achieve your dreams, it’s important to have a clear vision of what success looks like for you.
By visualizing your desired outcomes, you can better understand the steps and actions needed to make your vision a reality.
Visualize Your End Goal
Imagine yourself at the finish line of your goal.
How does it feel?
What does it look like?
Put that picture up…FEEL the accomplishment!
Take Time to Reflect
Set aside time to reflect on your progress and any obstacles you’ve encountered.
Stay Positive
Focus on the positive aspects of your journey and the progress you’ve made.
Visualizing helps you to stay motivated, focused and in a positive mindset.
“If you go to work on your goals, your goals will go to work on you. If you go to work on your plan, your plan will go to work on you. Whatever good things we build end up building us.”
Jim Rohn
3. Create a Detailed Action Plan
Setting goals is one thing, but knowing how to get there is another.
In order to achieve your goals, you need an action plan.
By breaking your goals down into smaller tasks, setting deadlines, and identifying the resources that you need, you can create a roadmap to success.
4. Bite-Size Tasks
Identify the Goal
Identify your main goal and write it down.
This helps bring clarity and focus to your plan.
Break it Down
Divide your goal into smaller, more manageable tasks.
This makes it easier to tackle and less scary.
Set Milestones
Break your big goal into smaller milestones.
This makes it easier to track your progress and celebrate your successes.
Track Your Progress
Regularly check your progress and celebrate each milestone.
This keeps you motivated and encouraged.
4. Eliminate Distractions
Clear Your Workspace
Remove all unwanted materials from your workspace to reduce distractions.
Oh. My. Goodness.
This is a big one for me.
If my desk is mess…nothing gets accomplished.
I’m too busy looking at all the STUFF.
Take a Technology Time Out
Turn off technology notifications to avoid interruptions.
Turn it off.
Put it in another room.
Another tough one for me as I’m paranoid I’m going to miss a call or text.
Schedule Your Breaks
Schedule breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout and stay focused.
Break? What is THAT?
I’m learning the hard way to do this better.
I’ve got a bum hip that reminds me to GET UP and GET MOVING!
Otherwise it is going to be a LONG night!
5. Unlock Your Potential
Continuous Learning
Never stop expanding your knowledge and honing your skills.
Embrace a growth mindset and seek out opportunities for personal and professional development.
The more you learn, the more you will unleash your full potential.
I’m still going back through the videos…so much information.
Don’t waste it!
Stay Committed
Achieving your goals requires dedication and perseverance.
Stay committed to your goals, even when faced with challenges and setbacks.
Remember that each obstacle is an opportunity to learn and grow stronger.
Celebrate Progress
Don’t forget to celebrate your achievements along the way.
Acknowledge and reward yourself for reaching important milestones, no matter how small.
This positive reinforcement will motivate you to keep pushing forward on your journey.
6. Embrace Change
Gauge Your Current Situation
Take a step back and evaluate where you currently stand.
Acknowledge your strengths and areas for improvement.
This self-reflection will help you identify areas in which you need to make changes to achieve your goals.
Create an Action Plan
Once you have identified the areas that you can improve on, develop an action plan outlining the steps you will need to take and make the necessary changes.
Break down your plan into manageable tasks and set deadlines to hold yourself accountable.
Adapt and Repeat
As you implement your action plan, be open to adapting and repeating along the way.
Recognize that change is not always straight up, and adjustments may be needed as you go.
Embrace the opportunity to learn from your experiences and refine your approach.
7. Persevere Through Challenges
Embrace the Climb
Just like climbing a mountain, achieving your goals requires determination and resilience.
Embrace the challenges that come your way as opportunities for growth.
Every setback is a chance to learn and come back stronger.
Navigate Obstacles
Obstacles are a natural part of any journey.
Go at them with a problem-solving mindset, seeking creative solutions and alternative paths.
Remember, every obstacle you overcome brings you one step closer to your desired goal.
Celebrate Small Wins
Even the smallest accomplishments deserve recognition.
Take the time to acknowledge and savor each little victory as you progress towards your ultimate goals.
Embrace New Experiences
Remember that the journey towards your goals is filled with opportunities for growth and discovery.
Embrace new experiences, step out of your comfort zone, and embrace the excitement of the unknown.
Nurture Yourself
Self-care is an essential part of achieving long-term success.
Take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being to ensure you have the energy and resilience to pursue your goals with passion.
By following these seven steps, you’ll be on your way to achieving your business goals this year.
Remember, stay focused, stay motivated, and celebrate the small wins along the way.
If you’re looking for some guidance on goal setting, drop me a message!
As a small business owner, you know that time is money. And there never seems to be enough of either.
That’s where outsourcing can be a game-changer for your productivity and bottom line.
Imagine having someone to take care of those time-consuming social media tasks, like creating content and posting it.
By outsourcing these tasks to a Social Media VA, you free up precious hours in your day to focus on what you do best – growing your business.
But why choose a Social Media VA over hiring in-house?
Benefits of Outsourcing Social Media Tasks
Outsourcing social media tasks to a Social Media VA can bring numerous benefits to your small business.
Social Media VAs offer flexibility – you can hire them for specific projects or on an as-needed basis.
They allow you to delegate time-consuming tasks, reduce overhead costs, and access specialized skills.
They also bring a wealth of experience to the table, as many have worked with a variety of businesses and industries.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about the expenses associated with hiring and training a new employee!
Types of Tasks That Can Be Outsourced
There are countless tasks that you can pass on to a Social Media VA.
The best thing to do is sit down and figure out what tasks you currently complete yourself that if you had someone else do them would save you time!
Blogs
A Social Media VA can either write or help you write your blogs for your site.
SEO
A Social Media VA can make sure that your blog posts and your social media posts are optimized for search engine optimization.
This ensures that your target market can find you!
Posts and Scheduling
You Social Media VA and write your posts AND schedule them, saving you HOURS!
How to Find and Hire a Social Media VA
Here are some tips for helping you interview and hire your Social Media VA.
Step 1: Define Your Needs
Determine the specific tasks and skills you require in a Social Media VA.
Step 2: Explore Platforms
Research reputable freelance platforms and browse profiles to find potential candidates.
Step 3: Evaluate Experience & Reviews
Check your candidate’s experience, reviews, and sample work to assess their suitability.
It’s a daunting task to think about hiring someone that you don’t physically meet.
However, a video interview will allow you to see the person and gauge their skills and whether they are a fit for your company.
Effective Communication and Collaboration
Because you don’t have a Social Media VA sitting right in your office to communicate at will with, it is very important to make sure that you have open communication lines with them.
Here are some thoughts on how you can avoid any confusion and ensure that you work well with your Freelance Admin.
Clear Communication
Establish open lines of communication, set expectations, and provide clear instructions for seamless collaboration.
Regular Check-Ins
Schedule regular check-ins to ensure progress, address any concerns, and provide feedback.
Collaboration Tools
Use collaboration tools like project management software or communication platforms to stay organized and facilitate collaboration.
Cost Considerations of a Social Media VA
Outsourcing social media tasks can lead to significant cost savings.
You only pay for the specific services you require, eliminating the need for employee benefits, office space, and equipment expenses.
This cost-effective approach allows you to maximize your budget and allocate resources more efficiently.
A Social Media VA offers numerous advantages for small businesses.
It allows you to focus on core business activities, save time and money, access specialized skills, and enhance overall efficiency.
By leveraging the expertise of a Social Media VA, you can propel your business towards growth and success.
So, if you’re ready to boost your small business productivity and take your time back, it’s time to discover the power of outsourcing to a Social Media VA!
Most small business owners today know that they need administrative help but are not sure whether they should hire an employee or a Freelance Admin.
Welcome back to the GinAdmin blog. My name is Gina Koran, and I will be your hostess today as we talk about the differences between hiring an employee and working with a Freelance Admin.
So grab your favorite beverage and enjoy…
You know you need help for your small business, but…
Would it be faster to do it yourself versus having to train someone to do the tasks?
Where do you even start?
And really… do you even have ENOUGH work to keep someone busy?
Most small business owners eventually get to this point – they KNOW they need help, but is it really worth it?
And how do they know whether they should hire an employee or a Freelance Admin for their small business…or even if they need either?
Employee or Freelancer Admin?
You need help, but not sure if you should hire an employee or a Freelance Admin?
One of the questions I get asked a lot is “What is the difference between hiring an employee and working with a Virtual Assistant?”
Check out these differences:
A Freelancer or Virtual Assistant already has their own equipment; you must provide equipment for an employee.
Freelance Admins have their own office space; you will need to provide the space and furniture for an employee.
Freelancers provide their own insurance and retirement; you (if you are going to provide them) will need to find and (at least partially) pay for these benefits for an employee.
You only pay a Freelance Admin for tasks completed or for the time they worked to complete your tasks; with an employee, you’re going to pay them for the fixed number of hours you hire them for.
Freelancers do not waste time as they have other clients that they are supporting; employees tend to take restroom breaks, lunch breaks, checking social media, texting…all on YOUR time.
Most Freelance Admins have specialized skills and will pay for enhancing those skills themselves; with an employee, you are going to pay for those additional trainings through either actually paying for courses and/or the time it takes the employee to go through that training.
Another benefit of having a Freelancer is that they can provide extra support during your busy times, as well as while others are out of the office, on vacation, etc.
So, now that you know the difference, let’s take a look at how a Freelance Admin can help you and your small business.
Time
A Freelance Admin can work as many or as little hours as you need them to.
You can also “purchase” a block of a Freelancers time for the work you need done.
One key is that finding an admin that is already familiar with your industry means less training time.
Simply show them how YOU like things done, and voila…training done.
Where do small business owners find Freelance Admins?
Today, there are SO many sites you can go to to find your perfect match.
My friend and mentor, Tawnya Sutherland over at VA Networking has a truly kick-butt Job Board where you can post your opening(s).
Tawnya also recently started a board for her massive network of VAs to list their skills, allowing business owners to search for that perfect VA!
I encourage you to head to VA Networking and see if Tawnya’s network has your match!
What can small business owners delegate to a Freelancer?
When you consider whether or not you have enough to keep someone busy, I suggest a quick test.
Take a look at your day today.
How much time are you spending…
Answering emails that ask the same questions every day.
Keeping tabs on similar businesses to see how you stack up.
Researching your industry’s standards and what’s new.
Determine the tasks you can delegate when your small business hires a Freelance Admin.
Writing a blog post to keep your clients updated on what’s going on with your small business.
Figuring out what to post on Social Media…
Then creating the wording…
And finding the perfect image.
Track your time for ONE day. One day of admin tasks.
Then figure out how much money you lose every day by focusing on those admin tasks versus your true money-making tasks.
I have a small business owner that hired me, well for many things, but one was to schedule his business’ social media posts each week.
This task takes me approximately two hours every Friday – just to schedule the posts.
That doesn’t include the additional time each week that I spend looking at his competitor’s websites and social media,
Coming up with new ideas for him to get new customers,
And creating new, exciting, eye-catching and scroll-stopping images and posts.
The literal HOURS I’ve saved him every week have allowed him to focus on expanding his marketing.
As well as other money-making areas that require his attention.
It has also allowed him to take some much-needed down-time with his family.
All because he knows he can rely on me to take care of those tasks each week.
Still not sure which, if either, is the right path for your small business?
Maybe you do not actually need an assistant yet?
You may just need to adjust a few things you are already doing to make them more efficient.
Just doing this alone may assist in saving time.
I would love to help you make the decision…
I can help you decide IF your small business should hire an employee or a Freelance Admin!
The decision on whether you should hire an employee or a Freelance Admin.
Head over to my contact page and let’s see if a Freelance Admin is the right fit for you!
As always, thanks for taking time to read my coffee-induced words.
And as a personal P.S., I want to thank those of you who have reached out and kept in touch with me about the “Life Happens” events going on here.
I appreciate all of you more than you can possibly imagine!
Until next time, my friends, stay happy, healthy and safe!
If you are like me, you struggle to keep up with everything and always feel like you are running behind. I have found some super helpful time management tips for you, my fellow busy small business owners!
Welcome to, or back to the GinAdmin Blog. My name is Gina Koran and I will be your host today as I share with you some of my coffee-induced thoughts and ideas.
So grab your mug…this is a good one!
Managing your time
There are only so many hours in any given day.
You cannot store it.
You cannot borrow more for later.
And depending on where you are in your life cycle, you may have other responsibilities as well.
Family, housework, yardwork, kids’ activities…maybe you’re even still working a 9 to 5, so your time is spread thin.
The good news?
You can decide what you spend your time on.
Naturally, you want to spend your time on things that add value to your life.
But life is so busy today, how can you possibly have time for those things that matter the most to you?
Luckily, there are loads of time management techniques that are tailor-made for busy people, especially small business owners!
Ideas that will help simplify how you work, ensuring that you get tasks done more efficiently and giving you more time for whatever you choose.
Now, obviously not all of these will work for you. But I hope that at least one gives you time back in your busy schedule!
1. Organize your small business time around your energy levels.
Your productivity levels are directly related to your energy levels, so schedule your hardest tasks for when your energy levels are at their highest.
Any low-value tasks that require little energy, such as responding to emails, can be scheduled for the times when your energy levels are lower.
I know that my most productive time is first thing. Well, first thing AFTER my first cup of coffee.
So any hard task I may have for the day, I do that first (after the coffee).
Plus, when you start the day off by completing your most important tasks, you will give yourself a boost of momentum and a real sense of accomplishment.
2. Prioritize tasks by days or times.
Time management tip: write down the 3-5 most important tasks you must complete tomorrow.
When every task is a priority, nothing is.
Maybe start by trying to do one task per day.
As you get more consistent and start getting that one thing done faster, you can try adding another task each day.
You can also use a calendar app like Google Calendar to track your daily activities.
I’ve talked before about my calendar – it looks like a kindergartner took their crayons to it.
All I have to do is glance at my calendar, and I know what task is next!
Make a plan for the day.
Before you go to bed, write a to-do list for the next day.
I know I’ve talked about this before as well. Before I head to bed each night, I make a list of my top 3 or 5 tasks that MUST be done tomorrow.
When you plan ahead, you are mentally preparing yourself for any challenges you may face.
This will also help to limit procrastination at the start of the day and ensure that you work faster and more efficiently.
3. Don’t try to do too much at once.
If you try to do too much, you will end up doing nothing well.
Instead, try focusing on one thing at a time.
This will help you stay organized and avoid getting overwhelmed.
What I found was that I was constantly jumping from one task to another, taking longer to accomplish anything at all.
Now, I start a task, finish a task, move on to the next.
This doesn’t always work, naturally.
There may be information I’m waiting for from a client.
Or I may have to stop for an appointment.
The point is, try to finish a task once you start it.
4. Break down your small business projects into smaller chunks.
Breaking bigger projects down into small chunks will allow you to accomplish more in less time.
It is easier to complete a task when it is broken down into smaller parts.
It also helps you to avoid overwhelm at the beginning of a project.
5. Outsource smaller business tasks.
You don’t have to complete every task yourself.
Especially those low-priority tasks.
Sometimes it is better to outsource these tasks, so you can focus your attention on the more pressing tasks.
I have a client that CAN do social media. And has done them herself since starting her business.
But as any small business owner knows, there are so many tasks that need taken care of every single day.
And they can start to take over your day.
My client who CAN do them—she looked at what she was doing and found that so much of her time was spent on social media that she was neglecting the money-making tasks that also needed done.
Today, she does some of the social media tasks – the ones that require her to personally take care of.
The rest? She’s outsourced to a Freelancer – that would be me!
Win-win for both of us. She focuses on the business she loves and I happily swim through those social media tasks each day.
6. Cut out distractions.
When you are distracted, it can take a while to get your focus back.
This can greatly limit your productivity.
Consider turning off the notifications on your phone.
Time management tip for small business owners: cut out distractions.
Invest in a pair of headphones.
I LOVE mine!
I can put them on, whether I’m listening to anything at all or not – and they block out all outside noise, allowing me to focus much better.
Because, of course I love shiny objects and am easily distracted by them!
Browsing social media is a big distraction and should really be avoided if you want to increase productivity.
For social media, I usually only check my own at the end of the day.
And even then, I set the timer on my phone. Otherwise…shiny objects!
7. Realize that things don’t need to be perfect.
It’s easy to get caught up in trying to make everything perfect.
However, perfectionism will slow you down and could result in deadlines being missed.
If so, absolutely focus your energy on ensuring it is right.
If not, give yourself a bit of a break. Not one single person walking the Earth today is perfect!
8. Take regular breaks throughout the day.
Time management tip for small business owners: take regular breaks.
If you work at a desk job, take frequent breaks throughout the day.
This allows your body to relax and rejuvenate.
Taking short walks during lunchtime or taking a quick nap after lunch can help too.
I go walkabout with the pupper.
He, in fact, insists on going walkabout.
Sometimes I have to remind myself that going walkabout benefits both of us – especially if I am right in the middle of a project and have been sitting far too long when I get that nudge!
So, those are my time management tips for small business owners.
Again, not ALL of these will work for you.
Maybe none will.
But I hope you will find at least one that does.
Once you find those that work best for your situation, I encourage you to use them daily.
Your productivity will increase, and you will save precious time in your busy life, giving you the time to do what matters most to you.
Do you have some time management tips for small business owners to share?
Feel free to drop them below – I’d love to hear more ideas!
And if you need to free up some time in your day, consider working with a Freelancer!
Until next time, my friends…stay happy, healthy and safe!
I see a lot of small business owners struggle with basic administrative tasks that could very easily be outsourced to a Freelance Admin.
So, what if you could delegate those tasks so that you can focus on your small business’ goals and growth?
I’m Gina Koran, your host for today’s coffee-induced conversation about outsourcing those pesky administrative tasks so that you can focus on the important money-making areas to grow your small business!
Ready? Well, grab that cup of coffee and let’s dive in!
Overwhelm
Being overwhelmed is a common reason that small business owners tend to experience resistance to acting on their goals.
It is hard to act when you have so much to do that you just don’t know where to start.
Am I right?
Frustration
Even if many of the tasks you need to accomplish aren’t related to your goals, it is easy to get frustrated and even to give up.
If you are like most small business owners today, you have too much on your to-do list even without working on your goals.
You probably also have a hard time letting other people help you or saying no when you are overloaded, let alone outsourcing those tasks to a Freelance Admin!
Freeing up time is the quickest route to not becoming the overwhelmed owner of your business.
It’s time to think about outsourcing administrative tasks to a Freelance Admin
Well, it is now time to get over that feeling so that you can reach your goals.
Now is the time to learn to delegate and outsource tasks to free up your time for what matters most (such as working on your goals).
Feeling overwhelmed with administrative tasks for your small business? Outsource them to a Freelance Admin and give yourself back time!
Make a list of tasks you can outsource to a Freelance Admin
The first thing I suggest is to make a complete list of everything you currently have on your task list.
Next, go down the list and consider each task, one at a time.
Which tasks do you absolutely have to do yourself?
And be honest; I am certain you will find that some of them could be done by someone else.
Now, mark off every task that you have to do on your own.
What is left are the things that you can delegate or outsource.
I hear a BUT…
Now, I know that you are probably already coming up with some objections in your brain.
Outsourcing those tasks costs money, no one can do it as well as you can, etc.
If you spend money outsourcing tasks on your to-do list, you’re going to trade that money for time you could spend on other things, such as working on your goals.
As a small business owner, I think we can agree that that is a fair trade, right?
And as far as no one else being able to do the tasks…did you know that Freelance Admins have a wide range of skills.
Very likely, they can accomplish those tasks more quickly and efficiently, freeing you up to focus on other areas!
Not sure what small business tasks your can outsource? Touch base with a Freelance Admin and find out!
WHAT tasks can you outsource to a Freelance Admin?
I hear you asking “Sure, but exactly WHAT tasks can I or should I outsource to a Freelance Admin?”.
Well, that list is endless.
Pick a handful of tasks from that list you made that absolutely MUST be done, but that maybe you don’t like to do.
Or don’t WANT to do at all.
Or maybe things that you fall behind on because you are not 100% sure how to do them.
Seriously, look at the list of tasks you made that you do every day, that take up your time and that take your time away from your business.
Next, go down your list and start figuring out everything that you can delegate or outsource.
Trust me, there’s a Freelance Admin out there who loves to do those things that you don’t love to do!
Outsourcing those pesky administrative tasks to a Freelance admin can help take the stress out of your life!
PHEW!
You will soon begin to feel the relief that comes with having those pesky tasks taken off your plate.
And the great thing about this is that you can continue to grow the list of outsourced tasks as much as you can, or even want to!
That time you gain by outsourcing tasks to a Freelance Admin? You can now put that time to use working on your goals and dreams.
I’d be willing to bet that once you start to delegate, you won’t want to stop.
And you will quickly add more things other people can do to the list.
Then you will be able to devote even more of your time to your most important tasks.
What can YOU outsource to a Freelance Admin?
So, what is on your list?
I would love to hear what you’ve decided that you can outsource, so drop a comment below.
And if you’re not sure if outsourcing those tasks to a Freelance Admin is the right move for you, head on over to my contact page and hit me up!
I would love to go over your list with you over a virtual cup of coffee, and see what tasks I, or another Freelance Admin can take off your plate to make your job easier!
Until next time, my friends…stay healthy and happy!
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