7 Essential Steps to Prepare for an Amazing New Year

7 Essential Steps to Prepare for an Amazing New Year

We are closing in on the end of 2023.

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.

Follow these 3 steps to create your action plan for the new year!

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.

I am happy to help in any way!

Should your small business hire an employee or a Freelance Admin?  

Should your small business hire an employee or a Freelance Admin?  

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!
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!

8 Time Management Tips for Busy Small Business Owners

8 Time Management Tips for Busy Small Business Owners

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.

I used to be the Queen of Multitasking.

Working on one task at a time may help you become more productive and it may make each task more enjoyable.

https://www.verywellmind.com/multitasking-2795003

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.

I talked about this last month.

Consider the task you’re working on.

Will it lose you money if it is not 100% perfect?

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!

How to Boost Your Productivity with Daily Routines

How to Boost Your Productivity with Daily Routines

If you are like me, as a small business owner/entrepreneur, your daily routine is key to your productivity. Today, I am sharing 7 ways to help boost your productivity with daily routines.

Welcome back to GinAdmin. I’m your host, Gina Koran and as always, I’m pleased you chose to spend a few minutes of your busy day with me as I share my coffee-induced thoughts with you. So grab your cup…

Many of the things we do each day to reach our goals can be achieved by creating small routines or daily habits that you perform without even thinking about it each day.

By making your actions routine and, more importantly, a habit, you will find you get more done and not feel like you are always working.

Get Hydrated

Starting off the day hydrated will boost your energy and make it more likely that you get your tasks completed.

Staying hydrated keeps you focused and boosts productivity throughout the day.

Even yours truly, a self-proclaimed coffee addict, I start my day with at least one glass of water. And while I might joke that I drink that glass of water to clean my palate before I start my coffee IV, it is truly to get myself hydrated after a full-night’s sleep.

I also will drink water with my lunch and my evening meal to keep myself hydrated, understanding that staying hydrated keeps me focused and more productive throughout the day.

The great thing about water is that you can spruce it up. Add a slice of lemon. Toss in some fresh mint. Maybe cucumber slices. So many possibilities!

Review Your Schedule

I’ve talked about this before, but each night before bed I write down the most important tasks I need to work on the next morning.

Then first thing (after my glass of water, of course) each morning before I start my day, I glance over my list to get an overview of what I need to do during the day.

Then, I can prioritize each item based on my very colorfully-coded calendar.

If you are looking for some inspiration on time blocking, check out Cindy Bidar’s latest podcast : “How to Use Time Blocking to Get Stuff Done”. Cindy is a master at this!

Create a Morning Routine

Set up a morning routine for your self-care. This is totally personalized to each person, based on your needs.

You can start with a shower, make your bed, get dressed, eat breakfast, etc.

You may also want to add meditation, do some yoga, or maybe even journaling into your morning routine.

Photo credit: Chicago French Press

Those are some of my own routine: drink my glass of water, do my morning stretches for my back, brush my teeth, shower and dress for the day, make the bed.

And finally make my first cup of magic bean water a.k.a. coffee. As my friends at Chicago French Press say: Coffee beans magically turn into a life-changing potion everyday!

Then I head into my office to start my day, starting with that task list!

Monitor Your Nutrition

Another way to become more productive is to eat properly.  As I have said before, I am not a doctor. But I do understand the importance of proper nutrition.

I would love to eat like that 14-year-old girl with her sugar-based cereal again. That sugar high, though will lead to a sugar crash a couple hours later for me, the NOT-14-year-old-girl.

I also know that too much pasta and/or bread make me lethargic.

Talk about unproductive.

You know what foods work best for you – do that.

For me, fruits give me a natural boost. With summer coming (YAY), that will mean early Wednesday morning starts as I head out to the farmer’s market where I grab loads of fruits and veggies to give me that natural boost.

Another trick I found is prepping food in advance to make it easy to stick to whatever plan you come up with.

It also makes for a less stressful meal-planning time each day if you have a super busy day and find yourself short on meal-prep time!

Develop a Positive Mindset

Find ways to look at the positive aspects of your life. When you have a positive mindset or outlook, it tends to strengthen your motivation.

And I get that with everything going on in the world and around you today, that it is sometimes easier said than done to keep a positive mindset.

Developing a positive mindset can help boost productivity.

One of the biggest ways I have found to stay positive is to distance myself from the news.

I have greatly reduced my time on social media. We don’t even watch the evening news, something both my husband and I grew up with with our parents. If you are reading this and you know my Dad, mum’s the word! (Wink)

Now that is not to say that we do not know what is going on in the world. We simply reduce our exposure to it all.

I have to admit, since we stopped watching and reading and listening to the news as much, both our mindsets have become much more positive!

Celebrate Your Victories

When you are successful and accomplish something, find a way to celebrate, no matter how small the victory.

One of my rewards for completing a task is (no surprise) …a fresh cup of coffee. When I am working from my colorful calendar and its time blocks, once I complete a task, I’ll refresh my cup.

This also gives me a chance to get up and stretch my back after sitting through that task so that it doesn’t put a damper on my positive energy.

Find something that motivates you. Something that will give you that motivation to complete a task. Then celebrate your win!

Segment Your Workday

Don’t work all the time. This is especially important if you work for yourself. The work never seems to end.

Set specific hours for your workday. Stick to these hours at least 80 percent of the time.

Keep in mind that being flexible is important. Sometimes working hard is going to be required, but it’s not required every single day.

I am getting better at this. And while I might have a client text me in the evening, if it’s not an emergency, it goes on my task list for the next morning (see how I tied that in from earlier?).

Well, there you have it, Gina’s coffee-induced thoughts on boosting your productivity through daily routines!

If you have some other ideas on boosting productivity or daily routines, drop them in the comments below. I would love to hear yours!

For my fellow small business owners, if you are interested in ways that working with a Freelance Administrator can help put more time in your day and boost your productivity, drop me a message over at www.GinAdmin.com/#contact.

Until next time my friends, stay safe, positive and productive!

5 Ways to Streamline Your Daily Schedule and Increase Efficiency When Working from Home

5 Ways to Streamline Your Daily Schedule and Increase Efficiency When Working from Home

Do you wish you could streamline your schedule and increase your efficiency when working from home? Do you frequently feel like there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything you need to do?

Welcome back to GinAdmin where today, me and my sidekicks (my pupper and my always-on-hand cup of coffee) are going to share some ideas that work for me in streamlining my day to work more efficiently.

So, grab your favorite beverage and have a quick read.

As hard as it is, we must do things when we need to.

Otherwise, they don’t get done at all. Or we find ourselves having to do them when we truly don’t have the time TO do them.

Then it seems something else has to be put off.

If you’re like me, when a project has a deadline, it is important to devote all of my undivided attention to it, or it won’t get completed. Time management is a critical aspect of every job – from planning to executing.

I have found that my schedule needs to be structured to support efficiency and productivity to reach my goals.

So, if you’ve ever felt like you need to streamline your daily schedule to work more efficiently, here are some tips are for you:

Check your existing workflows and processes.

Ask yourself these questions:

Are my workflows or processes efficient?

Do certain things take too much time or space to complete?

Are there things you can do to either eliminate steps or streamline your workflow?

Assessing current workflows is essential in improving productivity.

No process is perfect; there’s always room to improve. Ben Mulholland  

https://www.process.st/category/business-processes/

For example, do you need to complete specific tasks in a particular order or time? If so, then building your schedule with the tasks in the order you need to complete them will help you work more efficiently.

If you don’t need to do certain activities in the order you listed them, simply reorder them to streamline your work.

I do this with each task. At the end of every day, I review my current projects and list the priorities for the next day to keep me on track and complete those projects on time.

Rank your processes.

Once you know your current workflows, you can rank them in terms of both the amount of time they take to complete and the extent to which they streamline your typical workflow.

I recommend using a scale of 1 to 5, depending on how time-consuming a process is and how much it changes your routine.

If it takes less than five minutes, you can probably combine it with another task in your workflow.

Turn off your notifications.  

Turning off notifications will help you work more efficiently!

Notifications in apps can be great when you want to receive a notice for something important, but when you’re working tasks, they are simply distractions.

Turn off your notifications and focus only on the task at hand so that you don’t end up losing focus.

The truth is, most notifications can wait.

I put news alerts and messages on hold until later and read them as a reward for finishing my tasks. Then I can sit back with my favorite mug and read them without feeling guilty for taking time away from my important tasks.

Tackle the hard stuff first.

If you are trying to jam in as many tasks as you can, chances are you’re not getting much, if anything done.

Or, you might even be the opposite; you’re spending more of your limited time on busywork that you don’t need to do. To help become more productive, I find that it helps to focus on one task at a time and work on that task until I complete it.

If I find myself multitasking, I try focusing instead for a single 30-minute period, taking a quick break (probably grab another cup of coffee) and get back at it. I talked about multitasking before – you can read that here: How to be more productive this week.

Trying to work on more than one task at a time can cause procrastination, which is a whole new level of anxiety. I will take the time to organize my tasks in order of priority so that the most important projects have the first slot in my schedule.

For instance, I tend to procrastinate on tasks that involve creative work, such as writing, brainstorming, and generating ideas. I find that setting aside 15 minutes a day to write helps me make more progress on that task.

Another trick I use is that I do the things I like to do the least first. Otherwise, I’m just dreading that task while I’m doing other things.

Do your work near an excellent natural source of light.  

Add natural light sources to your work area to help you work more efficiently.

A good source of light not only helps you see better, but it also helps you work better. This tip is handy if you work from home.

Those of us who work from home can become dependent on artificial light, leading to eye strain and fatigue. Working in a well-lit area and taking regular breaks away from your desk helps with this.

Watch your natural lighting, though. I have windows behind and next to me. When I’m going to be on a video call, I have to close the blinds and the curtains on those windows, otherwise the lighting is terrible!

And while some days my cup and I aren’t looking our best, the person on the other end of the video wants to see you as you’re talking to them!

Streamlining your schedule and increasing your efficiency will help you focus on what is important throughout the day. Try to limit the number of distractions you have around you.

Now, remember that you might not need to make a complete overhaul of your schedule. Many times, you can make small changes to greatly improve your overall productivity.

One of the best ways to improve your efficiency…you guessed it! Work with a Freelance Admin. We can help you assess and restructure your processes where needed, structure your schedule, and overall make your life easier!

If you try any of these tips, leave me a comment below and let me know how that works out for you. Or if you have other ideas, feel free to share!

And, of course, if you would like to learn more about how a Freelance Admin can help, contact me ~ we can chat over a cup of…yep, coffee, or whatever you beverage of choice is!

Until next time, stay safe my friends!