Do I Have to Do EVERYTHING Myself?!

The air in my client's office nearly crackled with her irritation. A scheduling snafu had left a client without important services. "I guess I just have to do everything myself," she ranted.

My calling as a small business consultant requires that I maintain objectivity in the face of a client's frustration and anger. My calling as a human being and a small business owner myself leads me to empathize with what she was feeling at the moment.

It often seems, as small business owners, that we do indeed have to do everything ourselves. No one understands our business like we do, no one has the single minded dedication that we do. But here is a simple truth: If you have to do everything yourself, you're not doing it right.

Now, my client knows this and because she does, she operates a growing, successful company. But, we all have our moments.

You see, in the beginning, your business is you. You are the president, the bookkeeper, the janitor, and the one who makes the product or performs the service. It is at this crucial time that you can best impact the future of your business. If you don't separate yourself from the day-to-day aspects of your company, you will run yourself into the ground.

Taking the approach of "I have to do everything myself" is a great recipe for burnout. How do I know?

GULP! Well, uh, um?it happened to me-yup! ME. Big know-it-all smarty-pants small business consultant. I walked right up to the trap and stuck my foot in it. And suddenly, I found myself so depressed and frustrated, I was ready to walk away from the business I had spent years building.

How did it happen? Did I lose my passion for helping small businesses succeed? Not at all. I still cared very deeply. So, what was the problem? I asked myself this question over and over as I repeatedly banged my head against the wall.

The problem was this: I was trying to be "The Solution". I was trying to do everything for everybody and still work on my own business. What's wrong with that? Being the solution is what business is all about, isn't it? If my customer has a need shouldn't I step up and try to fill that need?

Look at it this way, I'm a consultant. My job is to teach others how to do what needs to be done. A small business doesn't need an MBA to do the payroll. A small business needs a payroll system that works long-term. My job is to set up systems that work, to develop systems that are sustainable and workable solutions for the business at all stages of growth.

Once a system is working, it then becomes my job to teach others how it works. Then, the System becomes "The Solution." I am merely an "Interim Solution." I learn, I teach, I get out of the way. Only then have I truly taken care of my customer.

Apply this to your own business. Are you performing tasks that take you away from your most important functions? Are you focusing on the long-term growth of your business or are you spending all your time on activities for which you are merely an "Interim Solution"? By focusing on what is truly important, you're better able to find the balance between what is best for your customers and your business.

If you're one of the millions of Small Business Owners who is: feeling stressed and disorganized, tired of working long hours for less you're worth, and struggling for focus, Small Business Mastermind, Caroline Jordan MBA has a Special Report just for you. It's called "Seven Secrets for Small Business Success". Get it by going to http://www.TheJordanResult.com . It won't cost you one red cent. Get it now. Start improving your business today.

---

Boat Detailers; Add-on Products and Services

As a Boat Detailing Specialist, you may want to offer... Read More

Employee Induction - Are you Inducting your People - A Practical How To

In today's fast paced marketplace it is easy to neglect... Read More

Cost Effective Franchise Regulations, Come again

The Franchise Group at the Federal Trade Commission in all... Read More

Asphalt Paving: Striping Your Parking Lot

As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More

Slip And Fall Professionals; Service Businesses

Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More

Are You Really the Boss in Your Own Business?

I recently met with a very successful magazine publisher who... Read More

Starting a New Business in a Small Town

Q. I am a former pastor who left the ministry... Read More

Incorporating a Small Business: S corporations versus C corporations

If you've been considering incorporating your small business, you've probably... Read More

Marketing Your Small Business - The Top 10 Brilliant Ideas

A Brilliant Marketing Idea... sounds great but what is it?... Read More

Packing Material Thats Cheap!

Shipping materials can be expensive! Even the styrofoam "peanuts" can... Read More

Professional Car Care Businesses You Can Start

If you are in the professional car care business you... Read More

Is a Small Business Web Site a Wise Investment?

One of the greatest pitfalls in e-commerce is Field of... Read More

The End -- Fireworks or Fizzle?

Seems as though there are a lot of business closings... Read More

Are You Making the Most of Your Intern?

KEEPING INTEREST HIGH: Supervision is key to the success of... Read More

Marketing Your Small Business with Success Stories

-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --An effective and compelling... Read More

If You Want To Be Remembered...

Send handwritten notes. That applies whether you're a guy or... Read More

Consistency with Janitorial and Cleaning Businesses

Consistency is a huge word when operating your business. I... Read More

Keeping your Business Alive

As long as you eat and breathe you will stay... Read More

Small Business Strategies - Four Critical Success Factors

Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More

Accounting Methods ? Cash and Accrual

When starting a business, you have to determine the method... Read More

Small Business Success Secret: Focus on Your Genius Work?

Do you know what your genius work is? It's the... Read More

Government Does Not Pay Its Bills on Time

Many small companies work very hard to get new accounts.... Read More

Todays Chef, Tomorrows Restaurateur -- Startup Tips by Restaurant Consultants Inc

Researching information for a recent business plan, I came across... Read More

Grants vs. Contracts

Commonly folks have asked me what the technical difference is... Read More

How to Prepare for Your Start-Up Venture!

When you awoke this morning, you found yourself buzzing with... Read More

Business Development Is Not An Event

Cash flow. To stay in business, you've got to keep... Read More

Be Nice to Your Payroll Department

Ok, so next to the taxman, your company payroll department... Read More

A Look at Small Business Incorporating in Florida

The choice to incorporate a small business in Florida has... Read More

Tips and Tricks for Legal Debt Collections

If a customer owes your local business money, it's hard... Read More

The Joy and Hazards Of Finding Your First Office

Q: I have outgrown my home office and need to... Read More

Starting An E-Commerce Business: Baby Steps

Starting your own e-commerce business can be quite the adventure.... Read More

Excuses Franchisees Make; When They Violate Exclusive Territory Agreements

One of the biggest excuses franchisees of home based and... Read More

Pressure Washing at Golf Courses

There are many potential niches for pressure washing companies that... Read More