The Gift of Time

There is no denying that COVID-19 has swept this planet and changed our everyday lives in drastic ways. It has reminded us how small we are in the scheme of the larger picture. There is little doubt that even when it settles down and we can venture out in our streets and parks, business as usual will be different. One thing that is clear is we will be ready to move. Businesses will be ready to recover and move forward. People will get at it again most likely eventually in the same way they did prior to this pandemic. 

If there is anything positive COVID has given it is the gift of time. For small business owners, time is precious and fleeting. A work week can slip by and things do not get done because you are immersed in the hustle. Well, we have all been given the gift of time, so let’s take advantage of it. And here are some suggestions on how.

Just like you may be catching up on all your household chores,

• Cleaning out closets, pantries, garages, etc
• Catching up on yard work
• Painting 
• Doing those DIY house projects you have always wanted to do

Now is the time to do the same while your business may be slowing down. Assuming you have the cash reserves to keep going and plan to ramp back up when COVID-19 flattens, consider some of those projects you keep putting off.

1. Build out your marketing plan and infrastructure
2. Plan your organizational chart for future growth (Check out this blog)
3. Improve your systems to catch the gaps that exist right now
4. Clean up the data in your CRM
5. Redo or update your website
6. Catch up on filing
7. Perhaps build a filing system!
8. Write a bunch of blogs (create a reserve for when times ramp up again)
9. Outline that book or course you keep thinking about offering
10. Finally take the course you purchased but never started
11. Start a podcast
12. Plan for a dream vacation (doesn’t hurt to dream)
13. Build a library of all your templates
14. Create a list of events you want to attend or speak at
15. Catch up on email (Email Nirvana anyone?)
16. Unsubscribe to emails that clog your inbox
17. Set up filters so your email will not get out of control again
18. Dust off your own e-newsletter
19. Build a database for all the information in your business
    
20. Brainstorm with other small business owners for new ideas or best practices (Perhaps there is a partnering opportunity)
21. Implement new software or programs - taking the time to learn all about it and make it work for you
22. Create your business continuity plan, should anything ever happen to you
23. Run a tabletop exercise with your team to test the continuity plan
24. Convert some of your products and services to be deliverable virtually
25. Refresh your vision and mission statement
26. Build out your BAIL team (Banker, Accountant, Insurance, Legal support)
27. Read some business books. We recommend:

• Extreme Ownership
• Profit First
• The Power of Habit
• 4 Hour Workweek
• Distributed Teams

1. Relax
2. FaceTime with your loved ones/ Touch base with others
3. Breathe​
   
   

Times are tough, but so are solopreneurs and small business owners. Take this time to dig deep and either dust off what has been neglected for years. Or if COVID has taken a larger toll on your business, take time to redirect. Evaluate how to steer your business in a different direction or where you can take your skills to survive until you can rebuild at a later time. Like any large storm, COVID will run out of rain. Be ready!