Starting a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do. But, it can also feel slow, frustrating, and full of traps and distractions, leaving potential entrepreneurs to question their self-worth and to wonder why they started in the first place. As a small business coach, I’ll help you cultivate an entrepreneur’s mindset, so you can start and grow your businesses with confidence and step boldly into the role of business owner. Subscribe to get access to weekly tips, small business interviews, and more.
⚡ What Makes You Effective?
|
Hi Reader, Over the last few years, I’ve experienced periods of extreme productivity as well as my share of creative slumps. Looking back, I’ve noticed clear patterns for when I’m at my best – my most innovative, which is leading me to structure my routines and habits differently. When I read (a lot), I get more ideas and I ask better questions. My brain sparks with wonder and imagination, fueling new insights and experiments. When I focus on what’s within my control – including my response to external events that I can’t control – I’m sharper, more in command of my own agenda and purpose, and calm enough to call my values to mind. When I intentionally rest, I have the bandwidth to give my work and my family the attention they deserve. Even my rituals matter. When I adhere to them, I feel regulated, driven, and steady in the face of obstacles. What makes you effective? As you build your business and design your life, it’s an essential question. Are you shaping your own experience with intention? Or letting circumstances shape it for you? What might shift if you no longer left it to chance? Until next time, Michael
Michael Schefman | 321 Liftoff Copyright © 2024 by 321 Liftoff LLC |
Michel Schefman, 321 Liftoff
Starting a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do. But, it can also feel slow, frustrating, and full of traps and distractions, leaving potential entrepreneurs to question their self-worth and to wonder why they started in the first place. As a small business coach, I’ll help you cultivate an entrepreneur’s mindset, so you can start and grow your businesses with confidence and step boldly into the role of business owner. Subscribe to get access to weekly tips, small business interviews, and more.
I used to worry constantly about being too busy. I never liked to have too many projects at once. I said no – a lot. To meetings, to calls, to opportunities. When my calendar filled up, I felt stressed and overwhelmed. I lived under the assumption that my time was precious and therefore was to be guarded and protected. That last part is still true – to some extent. Your time is precious. You only have this one life. You should be intentional. You should prioritize. But I had overcorrected in...
Happy early Valentine’s Day. Let’s talk about love – specifically, being too in love with your own ideas, perspective, or worldview. I recently finished a massive project. Honestly, it was a real success. The data is stronger, leaders are changing behavior, stakeholders are genuinely happy with the outcome, and… …this was probably my fifth or sixth attempt at doing almost this exact project. Earlier runs at the same problem fizzled out. We struggled to generate buy-in. We missed key...
One of my first jobs out of college was ordering and managing inventory as it moved through a retail supply chain. If you set the system up right, most of the time, the inventory flowed smoothly. But, the output had a lot to do with the input. We had a saying: garbage in, garbage out. Similarly, your work (output) is fueled by what you feed your brain (input). If you aren’t intentional, the algorithm will happily choose for you, keeping you stuck in cycles of outrage, noise, and distraction....