Celebrating the holidays and slowing down for some relaxation may seem like an oxymoron.
But you CAN do it.
And I encourage you to.
With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, sometimes it is hard to find the time to just stop and let yourself recharge.
As business owners, it is extremely important that we take some time for ourselves.
Last month, I encouraged you to plan for the new year.
If you have not had time to do so, I would definitely get on that.
Then sit back and enjoy the rest of this holiday season.
If you are like me, it is very hard to just sit back and relax.
There is just always something in my business that I feel needs my attention.
Like tweaking those goals I just wrote.
Here are some tips that I found and will be remembering myself as I spend time with my loved ones this holiday season.
WHY Celebrate the Holidays
Regardless of your beliefs, I encourage you to take some downtime.
There are just so many benefits to recharging your batteries.
I always find that my productivity goes up after the holidays because I am relaxed and ready to head into the new year.
The relaxation and rejuvenation you get over the holidays will not only reduce stress, but also enhance your overall well-being.
Finding balance during the holidays is easy. Spend time with loved ones!
The biggest benefit to me is the chance to reconnect with loved ones.
As busy business owners, it is so easy to put off connecting with loved ones.
Always another project, client, etc.
Use the holidays to strengthen your relationships and create lasting memories with your family and friends.
Preparing for the New Year
The holidays are a good time for reflecting on the past year.
Reflection allows us to look back and learn from successes and failures to gain valuable insights and improve future outcomes.
Setting goals for the new year creates a roadmap for success and lets you strive for personal growth and achievement.
It also helps you to develop strategies, prioritize tasks, and align actions with your long-term ambitions.
Embracing Balance and Self-Care
It is so important for business owners to find a harmonious balance between professional commitments and personal well-being.
We also need to spend time nurturing our mental and physical health through mindfulness, exercise, and healthy habits.
This can be done by pursuing our hobbies and interests since our focus is on celebrating a reenergizing ourselves.
Embracing self-care and finding our balance again can fuel creativity, passion, and personal fulfillment by dedicating time to family, hobbies and interests.
The Joys of Giving
The holidays are not all about the physical gifts that you give.
You can easily spread happiness and joy to others through acts of kindness and generosity.
This includes creating lasting memories and meaningful experiences and treasured moments that will be cherished for a lifetime with those you love and cherish.
It also helps you to build stronger connections and forge deeper bonds with individuals and communities by giving back.
We all can make a difference in the world by supporting causes and organizations we believe in.
The Magic of Traditions
Embrace the warmth and nostalgia of cherished traditions.
Whether it’s gathering for a holiday meal, decorating the house, or exchanging gifts, traditions weave together the fabric of our lives, connecting generations and fostering a sense of belonging.
My Personal Favorite: Indulge in Festive Delights
Delight your taste buds with festive feasts filled with sumptuous dishes and tantalizing flavors.
Indulge in the sweet joy of freshly baked holiday cookies that melt in your mouth.
Savor the warmth and comfort of a steaming cup of hot cocoa on chilly winter nights.
The Beauty of Winter
For those of us who live in the colder climates, step out into a winter wonderland and embrace the enchanting beauty of the season.
From glistening snowflakes to frost-kissed landscapes, immerse yourself in the peaceful serenity and breathtaking sights that winter has to offer.
Any of you who know me know that being cold…NOT my favorite thing.
However, there is absolutely nothing like standing in the middle of a snowstorm, listening to the pure silence that the snow falling surrounds you with.
Find balance during the holidays by creating new traditions.
AMAZING.
Those who live in warmer climates, don’t forget that you can always create a winter wonderland to enjoy.
Maybe that can be one of your new family traditions!
The goal here is to get yourself reenergized for the new year.
Some of you may remember a previous post I made, Live Laugh Love.
Spending time with your loved ones should always be a top priority.
You never know what tomorrow will bring.
Create those memories this holiday season, and I’ll see you in the New Year!
Now is the time to start preparing yourself and your business for the new year.
Yes, I said it.
The.
New.
Year.
In her email last month, Cindy Bidar talked about how NOW is the time to start looking towards 2024.
Why now?
Because, as Cindy says, the holidays are coming up and we tend to get ourselves wrapped up in preparation and celebrating and before you know it, BAM…it is the new year.
Cindy talks about how she is starting to plan out her 2024 now, and that is a good reminder for all of us to start preparing now.
Here are some tips to get you moving toward 2024.
1. Reflect on the Past Year
Take some time to look back on the past year and reflect on your accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned.
Consider what worked well and what could have been improved.
It really is only by understanding where you’ve been that you can better determine where you want to go.
2. Identify Areas of Growth and Improvement
We are all constantly improving and growing.
As a business owner, it is important to identify the areas where we can continue to grow and improve, whether personally or professionally.
Professional Development
Assess your skills and knowledge in your field.
Seek opportunities for growth and improvement, such as courses, workshops, or conferences.
For example, last month I attended Tawnya Sutherland’s VAVS Summit and gained valuable tips, tricks and information from the spectacular line-up of speakers Tawnya always puts together.
Look for these opportunities in your field and invest in your own education!
Personal Growth
Reflect on your personal life and relationships.
Identify areas where you can grow, whether it’s improving communication skills or fostering better self-care habits.
Health and Well-being
Evaluate your physical and mental health.
Take steps to improve your well-being, such as adopting healthier habits or seeking support from professionals.
3. Set SMART Goals for the New Year
SMART is an acronym for how best to set your goals.
Specific
Set clear and specific goals that define what you want to achieve.
Avoid vague or general statements.
Measurable
Create goals that can be measured and tracked, so you can monitor your progress and make adjustments if needed.
Achievable
Ensure your goals are realistic and attainable, considering your resources, time, and capabilities.
Relevant
Make sure your goals align with your values, priorities, and aspirations.
They should be meaningful to you.
Time-bound
Set deadlines or timeframes for your goals to create a sense of urgency and help you stay focused.
If you follow this formula, you will find that your goals will be very clear and concise, making it easier for you to actually achieve them.
4. Create an Action Plan
It may sound simple, but how can you get where you are going without a plan?
I always think about taking a trip when setting my goals.
Can I get from home to where I want to go and back again without a defined route?
Yes.
However, if I have a plan, I find that it just makes it easier to find my way there and back.
Here are some steps to help you create your plan of action.
Step 1: Define Your Objectives
Clearly state what you want to achieve with each goal.
Be specific and break them down into smaller tasks.
If I want to drive from the East coast to the West, I obviously am not just going to drive that in one shot.
I am going to have to make stops along the way.
Stops along the route=smaller tasks.
Step 2: Identify Actions and Resources
List the specific actions you need to take to reach your objectives.
Identify the resources you’ll need along the way.
I might determine where the best places are to stop between East and West coasts.
Rest stops, gasoline, etc.
And some type of guidance, whether an old-fashioned map or my GPS.
Step 3: Set Priorities and Deadlines
Arrange your tasks in order of importance and establish deadlines for each one.
This will help you stay organized and focused.
Unless you have unlimited time on your hands to travel from East to West, you will need to establish how long you will be gone.
Then determine when you need to be at each location as well as your destination before starting the return journey.
These 3 steps will help you, regardless of the goal, get you to where you want to end up.
5. Establish Accountability Measures
“Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to the result.”
– Bob Proctor
It is easy enough to set a goal.
It is not always so easy to hold yourself accountable, so you will want to find ways to track your progress and stay motivated.
Consider involving a trusted friend, mentor, or coach who can provide support, guidance, and hold you accountable to your goals.
6. Practice Self-Care
Make your well-being a priority.
Take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health.
Engage in activities that bring you joy, manage stress, and recharge your batteries.
Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
7. Celebrate Successes Along the Way
Take time to celebrate the milestones and successes you achieve throughout the year.
Reward yourself for your hard work and progress made.
And share your wins with others.
Invite those who have supported you on your journey to celebrate your wins together.
Their encouragement and acknowledgment will fuel your motivation!
As we head toward the holidays and the end of the year, start preparing yourself for next year.
You will find that the holidays will be much more enjoyable when you are not thinking in the back of your mind about what you need to plan for next year while you are celebrating with friends and family.
And as always, if I can be of any assistance, please just 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 Social Media 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!
Social Media 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 with a Social Media VA
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 Outsourcing Social Media Tasks
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.
Outsourcing social media tasks to 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!
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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