“If you don’t prioritize your life someone else will” ~ Greg McKeown
In my traditional work-life I’ve seen many people who are consumed and overwhelmed by the pressures all around them. I know I’ve been there myself. I’ve seen many people trapped by controlling managers and unaware that the do not ‘have to’ do all the thankless busywork they are asked to do.
I have worked tirelessly trying to figure out why I and so many bright, smart capable individuals remain snared in the depth grip of the nonessential.
Katie was a working mom who ran a blog and a podcast. Her goal was to create an online business that could replace the income she had from her job. But no matter what she tried, Katie felt like she was floundering. She earned money but it was often sporadic and unpredictable.
Then Katie read Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. The book changed how she thought about her business and within a year, she was earning enough to quit her job. Why was Katie able to quit in such a short time when she’d previously spent years struggling? The answer is essentialism.
Essentialism is about eliminating the unnecessary so you can focus on your best work. It’s not hard or complicated and it can be practiced by anyone—from the seasoned entrepreneur to the newest digital business owner. Here are just a few benefits of embracing essentialism in business…
Essentialism Clarifies Your Message
Without essentialism, you waste valuable time trying to be everything to everyone. Shawna did this when she started her boutique marketing agency. She handled many different types of projects and she struggled to define her brand.
But after reading the book and getting clarity, she chose to focus all of her attention on Facebook marketing campaigns. She expected her business to dip as she made the transition but she doubled her profits within a few months.
Essentialism Defines Your Focus
It’s tempting to believe you can do everything and while you may be able to for a short while, the sad truth is that you can’t do everything well. Even more importantly, you’ll be distracted as you try to balance all the areas of your business.
Essentialism is about defining your focus so you’re working on the tasks where you truly shine. When you get to sit down and do deep work on projects that are within your zone of genius, you feel good. You feel energized and motivated. You can’t wait to get out of bed in the morning and every new project is filled with exciting possibilities.
Essentialism Creates Accountability
Pursuing essentialism has another seldom mentioned benefit—creating accountability. When you’re trying to tackle everything by yourself, there’s no time to stop and analyze what’s working or where your clients are coming from. Instead, you’re stuck in survival mode, trying to keep all of the balls you’re juggling in the air.
Without tracking, measuring, or analyzing, you’re flying blind in your business. You’re making guesses about what services your clients want or what products your audience needs. If these guesses are wrong, you could make some expensive (and time-consuming) mistakes.
But when you embrace essentialism in your business, you know what to focus on and which metrics truly matter. You take the time to measure your results and analyze both your successes and failures. When you spot problems, you can quickly adjust course.
Essentialism isn’t just another buzz word. It’s a powerful concept that can transform the way you look at your business and how you serve your customers. If used correctly you stop chasing bright shinny objects and create success with only the things that you need.
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