How to achieve more freedom in your business (without sacrificing your time with the ones you love)

You're ambitious, and you want more freedom in your business. But you don't want to hustle yourself to exhaustion. It's hard enough to juggle a business and family life, but when you feel like you have to work all the time just to keep up, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. I’ve been there too. I wrote this blog for ambitious female entrepreneurs and leaders who want more freedom in their lives without sacrificing time with the ones they love.

So let’s dive in…

Business Freedom Tip # 1: Get clear on what you want.

What does freedom look like? What would it feel like?

Do you want to build a lifestyle business that gives you the freedom to work from anywhere?

Or do you want to create a scalable business that will one day allow you to sell or take on investors?

Once you have a clear vision for your business, you can start implementing systems and processes to help you achieve it. For example, if you want to build a lifestyle business, you might focus on creating products and services that can be delivered online. Alternatively, if you're aiming for a scalable business, you'll need to focus on building a team and developing efficient processes.

Regardless of your goals, the key is to get clear on what you want before taking further action. Get specific details and write them down. This will help you understand what steps you need to take to get there. Otherwise, you'll likely be spinning your wheels without making real progress.

Business Freedom Tip # 2: Know where your time goes.

Have you ever been busy all day (or week or month), only to wonder what you achieved at the end of it? 

If you want to make the most of your time and maximize opportunities to generate money, it's important to be strategic about where you spend your time. 

The first step is to create a mind map. A mindmap will help you to identify which activities are most likely to lead to success. You can create a mind map with a pen and paper, or if you prefer something more digital and visually appealing, you can use a tool like Canva or Google.

To create a mind map, start by writing your name or business name at the core. Then, as thoughts come to mind, draw branches from the central point and write down each activity (in as few words as possible). 

For example, your branches might be marketing, sales, operations, admin, writing, website, branding, speaking, networking, etc. Once you have identified the main activities that you want to focus on, you can then create sub-branches for each one. These sub-branches should be specific actions that you need to take in order to achieve your goals. 

By taking the time to strategize where you spend your time, you can ensure that you are making the most of every opportunity while protecting time with the ones you love.

Business Freedom Tip #3: Delegate and outsource as much as possible.

Yes, you're creative, driven, and passionate about your business. Sometimes that passion get you stuck doing everything yourself. It can quickly turn into feeling overwhelmed and burned out. I see this happen time and time again with my clients. They start out full of energy and excitement, but eventually, they reach a point where they try to do everything themselves. They're wearing all the hats, and they're running themselves ragged. And that's when things start to fall apart.

The key is to learn to delegate and outsource and let go of some of the control. It can be challenging, but it's essential if you want to grow your business while not sacrificing time with the ones you love or burning out in the process. I help my clients learn how to delegate and build strong teams so they can focus on what they're good at and leave the rest to others.

It's not easy, but it's necessary if they want to achieve their goals.

So if you're feeling overwhelmed by the daily grind, remember that it's okay to ask for help. Surround yourself with a great team, and delegation will become second nature.

Business Freedom Tip #3: Create systems and processes in your business to run like a well-oiled machine. 

Setting up systems and processes will take some upfront work but will save you time and energy in the long run. When everything is running smoothly, you'll be able to step away from your business without it falling apart.

Start by identifying the critical tasks that need to be done for your business to run smoothly. Then, create a step-by-step process for each task. For example, if you need to send invoices to clients, create a system that includes creating the invoices, sending them out, and following up with clients. By taking the time to create systems and processes, you'll save yourself time and hassle in the long run.

Business Freedom Tip #5: Set boundaries with your clients.

Setting boundaries with your clients is vital for taking care of yourself and maintaining healthy professional relationships. As an entrepreneur, you can be constantly bombarded with requests from clients, colleagues, and employees. While it's important to be responsive to the needs of others, it's also essential to set boundaries to maintain your sanity. If you don't set limits, you will quickly find yourself overwhelmed and burned out.

So how do you set boundaries without coming across as unresponsive or uncaring? First, it's essential to be clear about your priorities. What is your top priority? Once you have clarity about your priorities, you can start setting boundaries.

For example, if you have a client constantly making last-minute changes, you can set a boundary by telling them that you need at least 24 hours notice for any changes. This will help prevent last-minute stress and allow you to focus on your top priority. It's also important to be assertive when setting boundaries. This means saying "no" when necessary and standing up for yourself when needed.

Remember, you are the boss of your business, and you have the right to set the rules. Finally, don't forget to be kind when setting boundaries. No one likes to be on the receiving end of a "no," so be sure to explain your decision thoughtfully. Following these tips, you can set boundaries with clients without appearing unresponsive or uncaring.

Business Freedom Tip #6: Take advantage of technology and automate.

You know that time is money. There's only so much to go around, and you can't afford to waste a second. That's why it's important to take advantage of technology and automate as much of your business as possible. The more streamlined your processes, the more time you'll have to focus on what you're good at.

I'm a big fan of automation tools because they help me get more done in less time. Funnel Gorgeous is my favorite tool for creating sales funnels because it's so easy to use and has many great features. Plus, the customer service is fantastic! Plann is my favorite social media scheduling tool because it helps me keep my posts organized, and I can schedule them in advance, so I don't have to worry about forgetting to post. Asana is my favorite project management tool because it helps me stay on track, and I can see all of my tasks in one place.

The best part of automating and finding tools that work for you is that you'll free up your time to focus on the things that matter, like growing your business and spending time with your family.

Business Freedom Tip #7: Make time for the things you love.

No matter how busy you are, make sure you're making time for the things you love outside of work. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind of running a business. You are hustling, trying to find new clients and grow your business. But it's important to make time for the things you love outside of work. Doing something, you're passionate about can help you stay motivated and focused on your business goals. It can also provide much-needed balance in your life. So if you haven't been making time for your hobbies, now is the perfect time to start. Carve out some time each week to do something you love; whether it's going out with friends, taking a weekend getaway, or simply taking a few minutes each day to do something you enjoy, making time for fun will help you keep your energy levels up and stay motivated throughout the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. You'll be glad you did!

Business Freedom Tip #8: Find a high-performance business coach or mastermind group.

As an entrepreneur, you wear many hats. You're the CEO, the CFO, the Head of HR, and more. It can be challenging to juggle all those responsibilities and still have time to run your business. Having someone to guide and support you on your journey is invaluable.

That's where a high-performance success coach or mastermind group comes in. A coach can help you develop strategies to streamline operations and free up your time.

A mastermind group can provide accountability and support as you work to grow your business. Both a coach and a mastermind group can be invaluable resources for entrepreneurs who want to achieve more freedom in their businesses. Investing in a high-performance success coach or mastermind group is one of the best decisions you can make for your business.

Business Freedom Tip #9: Enjoy the journey, and don’t forget to celebrate your successes, big and small!

As any entrepreneur knows, success is never a straight line. There are always ups and downs, and sometimes you have to take a few steps back before you can move forward again. That's why it's so important to celebrate your victories, big and small. Not only does it help you remember your accomplishments, but it also gives you the motivation to keep going when things get tough. So next time you hit a milestone, take a moment to reflect on all that you've achieved. And if you need a little boost, just remember that success is always within reach.

Business Freedom Tip #10: Don’t be afraid to take a break

Taking a break is essential to maintaining your productivity. Always being "on" and constantly thinking about your business and how to make it better. It can lead to burnout. Burnout is real, and it can have a serious impact on your health and well-being. That's why taking a break from time to time is important. Even shorter breaks (like an afternoon off) where you get some physical and psychological space from business demands can bring many rewards.

Some benefits you may enjoy when you take a break include:

Stress reduction: 

Taking a break can interrupt the cycle of stress that can lead to overwhelm and feeling overworked. Breaking the cycle of chronic stress can help restore you physically and mentally to a healthier place. 

Increased Clarity: 

A stress response can lead to decreased creativity, memory problems, and other issues. So a break in the stress cycle can lead to sharper thinking and increased creativity in all areas of your business and life.

Heightened productivity: 

Everyone needs a break from time to time in order to relieve stress. And when you're feeling rested and rejuvenated, you'll be able to work more effectively and efficiently.

Deeper connections with the ones you love:

Taking a break and spending it with those you care about strengthens those relationships. Not only will it be a fun experience for everyone involved, but it'll also give you all a chance to relax and bond outside of the everyday stressors of your life and business.

Conclusion: 

Freedom is an important thing. We all want it. We all need it. And, if we’re honest with ourselves, most of us are working way too hard to get it. But what if there were a different way? A way that allowed you more freedom in your business (without sacrificing your time with the ones you love)? Believe it or not, there is—and I can show you how. All you need is a little bit of resilience. The resilience toolkit I’ve put together for entrepreneurs and professionals will help you do that. Take some time to assess where you are now and where you want to be. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, then use the tools in this kit to create a plan of action that will get you there. Are you ready to claim the freedom you deserve? Click here to download your get your resilience toolkit now.

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