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People are especially busy these days -- to put it mildly. Many are so pressed for time that life takes on new dimensions. Sleep and self-care are put at the bottom of the list, or we feel guilty for taking the time to live. This is especially true for small business owners and managers who do what it takes whether they have time or not.
So what?
What does time and energy have to do with marketing? Marketing IS energy – an ongoing, never ending energy. It’s keeping things moving so that your sales pipeline is always full. It’s keeping your mind and intuition sharp. It’s working in a a high energy environment full of timelines, deadlines, cooperation, and teamwork.
Respect human energy
Today it’s more critical than ever that we respect each other's (and our own) energies. Gearing up and sustaining energy for a new project isn't easy when we’re already short on resources. When others don't follow up or participate in a proactive manner it is damaging and can lead to collapse of projects and of morale.
Harness it
So, respect the work of others, harness their energy, and make as much of it as you can.
Ways to keep things going when time and energy are lacking
~Bounce it back: If you can't address your task fully, see if you can provide feedback, questions, or a list of requirements -- keep things moving.
~Put it on the calendar: If you're backed up with tasks, put specific tasks on the calendar and don't book that time for anything else. This can give you a sense of reality – if you are expecting to get certain tasks done “once everything else is done” you may have an unrealistic sense of time.
~Set aside a daily block of time for the category of tasks that seem to get pushed back: Whether these outstanding tasks are paid production work or just your administrative to-do list, create even a small amount of regularly scheduled uninterrupted time.
~Many hands make light work: Ask others to participate and find a way to harness any energy that is offered.
~Be aware of your limitations: Allow yourself to "think twice" when you make a promise, and modify your commitment. This is good practice on the road to saying "no" when it's not realistic to commit.
~Get back to basics: Take care of yourself -- no one else will. Remember to walk away from the computer frequently. Take cat naps. Snack. Control your "inbox": use voicemail and email to keep interruptions at bay. Keeping your personal energy going is essential to everything else. And remember to play – keeping that energy positive is also essential.
~Watch your mantra: We all get down sometimes but be mindful that what you say has an effect on you. If your attitude is “there is no time, there is no business, things are bad,” be careful you’re not making it a promise. Looking at the glass as half full actually makes it….half full!
But most of all, pat yourself on the back for being one of the crowd that is willing to step up and make things happen. Find ways to keep it going -- positively.
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