Is Your Business Working for You?

Today, in 3 minutes or less, you’ll learn:   

1. Reviewing your business helps ensure it aligns with your goals and supports your well-being.  
2. Assessing if your workload is sustainable and making adjustments helps to maintain harmony.  
3. You are the boss. You get to build a business that works for you. 

Starting and growing a business while nurturing a family is a journey full of challenges and rewards. One of the keys to success is taking time to pause and review how your business is working alongside your personal life. Regular reviews help you celebrate wins, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments that support both your business growth and family well-being.  

A few years ago, I joined a fantastic challenge from business owner Shay Cochrane, who was focused on building a business that supports you and your life. In this challenge, Shay focused on honouring the fact that your business doesn't exist in a vacuum – you need to make it work with all the other aspects of your life (including family, health, relationships, friends, marriage, finances, play/fun and sleep).  

Shay gave us all some great questions to ponder, which I still do now. They may be meaningful for you, too, so I wanted to share them with you:  

• Why did you start your business?  
• What is your vision for yourself and your life?  
• What does success look like for you in your current season?  
• What are your measures of success? What is important to you?  
• To what extent are you currently experiencing all of the above (including your work hours, goal achievement, and personal well-being)?  
• From Rich Litvin: If I ran into you three years from now and you told me that it has been the best three years of your life, what would you go on to describe to me? What do you want?   
• From Tim Ferris: If you could ONLY work four hours a week, what would you focus on doing? What is most vital for you to move the needle on your goals?  

Why Regular Reviews Matter  

Regular reviews are so helpful for the following reasons: 

• Stay Aligned with Your Goals: periodically checking in on your business performance helps ensure your activities still align with your overall vision. It's a chance to celebrate successes and pivot when needed.  
• Maintain a Healthy Balance: balancing business growth with family time is essential. Reviews can reveal if you're leaning too far in one direction, allowing you to adjust your schedule or delegate tasks for a healthier balance.  
• Make Informed Changes: honest assessments can uncover roadblocks or opportunities that may have gone unnoticed. Whether refining your marketing strategy, adjusting product offerings, or rebalancing your time, making informed changes is key to long-term success.  

Tips for Effective Business Reviews  

1. Set a Regular Schedule: choose a consistent time—monthly, quarterly, or bi-annually—to review your business performance and personal satisfaction.  
2. Reflect on Key Metrics: look at the numbers (sales, growth, expenses) and the less tangible aspects (energy levels, stress, family time) to get a complete picture.  
3. Write it Down: keep a journal or a digital record of your thoughts, wins, and challenges. Writing things down can bring clarity and help you track progress over time. I went through a helpful 'Future You' journalling exercise in this newsletter, which you may find helpful.  
4. Seek Feedback: consider input from a mentor, coach, or fellow mumpreneur. Sometimes, an outside perspective can highlight areas you have overlooked.  
5. Plan for Adjustments: use your review insights to set actionable goals. Small changes can lead to significant improvements, whether delegating more tasks, setting boundaries, or investing in new skills.  

Final Thoughts  

Remember, your business is a part of your life—not your entire life. Make it what you want it to be. You are the boss. You get to decide.  

Create a business that works for you and your family. If it's not working, then you need to make changes. Be very intentional with your time and energy, and you will succeed.  

Regular reviews give you the opportunity to ensure that as your business grows, your personal life flourishes, too. Embrace this habit, and you'll be better prepared to navigate the challenges, better align your work with your vision and celebrate the victories along your journey.