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Happy Independence Day! I’m getting ready for a big reunion party at my house this evening, but I wanted to write to you today about “freedom.”
As we celebrate the birthday of our country, many people are feeling extremely grateful for the freedoms we have. And as designers and business owners in this country, we have the incredible opportunity to create anything we want.
As your own boss, you can choose to design your business to support whatever lifestyle you desire. You are completely free to run your business and live your life on your own terms.
Are you doing that?
Imagine...
Imagine if you were able to leverage your talent and your time so that you could give value to more people – without working any more hours.
Imagine if you could work when you want, how you want, and where you want – and make more money!
(You can.)
This is what I’ve been doing over the last few years, and it’s what I’m going to personally teach to 25 of you over the next year.
Will you be one of the lucky ones to join me?
If you are ready to transform your business (or start a whole new one) and begin living a truly extraordinary life, I would love to work with you.
Get all the details of the Extreme Designer Makeover program here, and join me as we expand what you thought was possible for your business. But hurry – early bird pricing ends when Independence Day is over.
Extreme Designer Makeover
Transform your business... transform your life
To your success, P.S. Enjoy your holiday weekend. I wish you the freedom to express yourself and love your life!
(regarding "Ezines Done For You!")
I'm just getting back to work after an incredible week in Las Vegas. I'll be sharing a lot about my experience and inspiration from that powerful workshop in future posts, but for now...
Many questions are still coming in about my new Email Newsletters "Done For You" program, so I wanted to answer them for you in this post.
I know how valuable newsletters are for the success of a design business. Email newsletters have done SO much for me over the last few years, and I have watched other designers expand their client base, get national publicity, gain many referrals, and increase profits - all from sending a regular monthly newsletter. But let's face it. Producing it can be an overwhelming, time-consuming HASSLE.
I would love to take over this task for you. Not only will I eliminate hours of work, stress, and hassle from your business, but I will produce a newsletter in the most effective way, using years of learning, studies, and personal experience creating email newsletters to grow several businesses.
(in a rush? check out all the details of this program here)
Answers to your questions:
Q. If I register now, can I start my newsletter at a later time?
A. Yes! If you'd like to take advantage of the launch promotion (special pricing only until Wednesday), you can register now and write in when you'd like to begin.
Q. Can you incorporate my logo into the newsletter?
A. Yes! We have added an option that allows you to have a customized newsletter that includes your logo. You choose the template that you want, and we will incorporate your logo into it.
Q. Can I create / edit the content myself?
A. Not in this program. The "Ezines Done For You" program is for designers who really want to delegate this part of their marketing.
Q. What email address will the newsletter be coming from?
A. YOURS! Yes, this will appear to be coming directly from YOU. There is no way your clients will know that someone else is creating the newsletter for you.
Q. What if I don't have a website yet?
A. While you are waiting for your website to be designed, you can provide a link to any webpage where you have a presence (Facebook, Twitter, AvaLiving, etc.). Your readers can still see your portfolio or information about your business. You will also want to include your other contact information in the newsletter (address and phone number) so that it is easy for your prospects to get in touch with you.
Do NOT wait until you have all your other promotional materials perfect. Start creating relationships now! There is no better way to generate sales than to give value and stay in constant contact with your prospects.
Q. What if I don't have a large list?
A. This program will help you BUILD YOUR LIST! After you register, I will give you several tools to help you grow your list of subscribers quickly. I started sending my newsletter with 8 subscribers. My list grew quickly mostly because I was sending a newsletter. Sending a regular newsletter is actually one of the best ways to grow your list!
Q. How many should I have on my list for this program to be effective for me?
A. The designers I work with who are getting great results from their monthly newsletters have an average of 50 - 200 subscribers. Most started with a lot less and grew their lists quickly using my easy tips. The SIZE of the list is not as important as the QUALITY. If you are sending to past clients, friends, and family - all of whom you have a relationship with, you will get far better results than if you send to a larger list of strangers. (By the way, don't discount friends and family. Ask them to subscribe even if you don't think they will ever be clients of yours. I get loads of referral business from friends and family who have just read a newsletter and realized they knew someone who could use my services.)
As a smart business strategy, you should have your own newsletter no matter how small your list of subscribers is. But if you are just getting started and haven't gathered any client's email addresses yet, I would suggest you start by doing that. Tell you clients, friends, and family that you are getting ready to launch a company newsletter, capture all their email addresses, and then contact me so we can get started!
Q. Can I highlight a different service / offer a different special each month?
A. Yes, there is a way to do that: Your personal information, along with your photo, will appear in EVERY newsletter that goes out. This section will remain the same for all newsletters, BUT if you'd like to offer something different every month (special monthly discount, new product or service, news about your company, etc.), you can do that on a webpage on your own website, and we will link to it in the newsletter. (The link remains the same, and you change the text on your webpage each month).
Q. What kinds of articles go in the newsletters?
A. Each month, there is an article that gives your clients general design tips and inspiration, and another article about using color. These articles are written to show off your expertise, create trust in your abilities as a designer, and give value to your readers.
Q. What are the topics of the newsletter articles?
A. Each month the article topic will vary. The main article will on be a general design / decorating topic, giving valuable tips that a homeowner can use (layout, furniture, lighting, fabrics, etc.). There will also be one article that gives information on a "color of the month." This article explains the basic psychology of that color, where it is best used in the home, and how it makes you feel.
If you have a specific niche within interior design or decorating, or you are a full-service designer, these articles will be appropriate for your clients and prospects. Your BIO section will show your specific niche, but the articles will show that you like to give value and share ideas on all aspects of beautifying their home.
Q. Is there a long-term commitment?
A. No, you can cancel at any time. You can, however, save $200 if you'd like to register for a year in advance.
There are more questions answered on the webpage, so feel free to browse: http://nikastewart.com/ezinesdoneforyou.htm.
Several years ago, when I launched my email newsletter, I was among a small handful of designers to be using this amazing tool. I had the opportunity, early on, to learn from the experts and experiment to find out exactly what works (and what absolutely doesn't). Over the years, I have seen the email newsletter craze really take off in our industry, as designers caught on to the incredible value they provide. It has gotten to a point where it is no longer a novelty or an advantage to have a newsletter - it's become a necessity.
These days, if you aren't using email newsletters to stay in touch with your customers, increase your sales, and build your expert status, you are behind the times, and probably losing customers to your competition.
As an expert in email newsletters, I know the latest, cutting-edge strategies for maximizing the impact of your newsletter, keeping clients interested, and inspiring clients to take action. After helping many, many designers build their own newsletters through my Email Newsletters for Designers book and audio program (and getting loads of emails begging me to “just do it for me!”), I found that there is a need to go a step further. So ..
How would you like to benefit from my 8 years of experience in creating high-impact, relevant newsletters? I am excited to launch a brand new service where I actually create and send the newsletters for you! It could not possibly be any easier. Imagine having a great newsletter - packed with interesting decorating ideas and tips - emailed to YOUR clients and prospects every month, with your logo, photo, website, phone number, and bio included.
Finally – sending a monthly email newsletter will be effortless.
You have heard about email newsletters for years now, and you have been meaning to get to it one day. This is a perfect opportunity to have it done for you - and done the right way.
Interested in learning more? Log onto: www.nikastewart.com/ezinesdoneforyou.htm to get all the details.
Here are some important tips from Will Franco's class, "How Designers Can Increase Profits & Save Time with Technology"
75% of interior designers do NOT have a website! Yikes! If nothing else, you must get a blog! No web presence = no business.
A website is a social validation tool. Add testimonials and before & after photos, and you will see results.
You need to connect and stay on top of prospects minds. How can you do this? With an Ezine.
Designers should be on Twitter.
Video emails allow you to connect with your clients and prospects. The more you can do to establish a relationship - allow your prospects to KNOW you, the more likely you will create a customer for life.
For more information about launching a profitable ezine campaign, visit:
Let me give you a little-known secret for protecting your income - no matter what the economic climate: multiple streams of income.Let's face it. If you have income coming in from various sources, you are less likely to suffer when one or two of them is slow. As designers, most of us have ONE source of income: working with clients. Yes, we do many things for them and sell various products, but THEY are our only way to make money. Without clients who are willing to hire and pay us, we have no business. But it doesn't have to be that way! Designers are finally learning that they can make money from other sources. And I do NOT mean getting another job working for someone else or starting a completely new business. All of your streams of income can be design related. This is one thing that sets apart the designers who are thriving (and truly confusedabout why everyone is whining) and those who are buying into the overwhelming complaining about how "bad" the economy is. One of my favorite things to do when I coach designers is look at their current income stream (working one-on-one with clients), and then talk about what they really love about it. Then I help them figure out other outlets for creating income, taking into account their passions and talents. This not only helps guarantee more money for them (even in "tough" times), but they start enjoying what they are doing more than ever. For the purpose of this article, I'll share 3 examples of additional streams of income for your interior design business. 1. Writing: Put your expertise down on paper. You don't have to be a five-star writer to profit from writing. There are many possibilities for income when you write about design. Newspapers and magazines are often looking for a steady columnist. If you are ambitious, publish your own book! The quickest way to make money this way is to create an e-book and sell it on line. 2. Teaching: Even when homeowners aren't spending as much on decorating, they still want to know how to make their homes beautiful. Since you know a lot of tricks of the trade, why don't you share some of them? You can teach live classes at a local college or in your showroom. Or you can make it even easier, and use my favorite way to teach - as a teleseminar. 3. Membership Programs: Large stores have been profiting from this stream of income for many years, and it's time for you to join the bandwagon. What can you offer your clients and prospects as a wonderful convenience? Customers pay you monthly or yearly to receive certain benefits, like upholstery cleaning when needed, service calls on motorized window treatments, carpet freshening, pillow fluffing, etc.
For designers, sources of income are really unlimited. I'll keep sharing more ideas in upcoming ezines. But please get started. Add an additional stream of income now! Seriously folks. You can sit around complaining (and watch what you are focusing on become a reality in your life), or you can join me and create more streams of income. What is your choice?
Upselling can often double your profits. And it doesn't take much effort. Once you've created a relationship with a prospect, you simply need to show them other things that will add to the design you have provided.
Upselling is simply offering something else to your client - in addition to what they have already chosen to purchase - that would make their design even better.
REMEMBER: With add-on sales, what you are ultimately offering your clients is:
added convenience increased safety complete personalized service
Here are 10 ideas for add-on sales. Some may seem obvious (but are you offering them at every appointment??), and others may not. You might want to print out this list and keep it in your briefcase near the contracts, so that you remember to recommend something else before you write up the final agreement.
1. Custom Pillows
I remember when it seemed standard to offer pillows to match the draperies. Most designs are not so "matchy matchy" now, but custom pillows can almost always add to the look of a room. The options are limitless - you can create spectacular designs (and your profits are often high!).
2. Passimenterie
Yes, just a fancy word for trimmings. Bedding, pillows, window treatments, etc. always look more unique with the addition of beautiful tassels, fringe, and trim.
3. Coordinating Accessories
What will complete the room you are designing? A mirror? Artwork? Candles? Your clients will appreciate the convenience of getting the whole finished look.
4. Lighting
You don't have to be a lighting expert to recommend lighting. Connect with a local lighting specialist and create a joint venture.
5. Florals
Work with a talented florist, or provide elegant silk florals to add the finishing touch to a room.
6. Another Room
"While you're waiting for the samples to arrive, do you want to get started on your next project?"
7. Hardware
Changing the hardware on cabinets or furniture can literally transform the look of a room.
8. Motorization
If you are designing window treatments, offer the motorization upgrade for increased safety and convenience.
9. Area Rugs
Many homeowners have a hard time choosing rugs, and they will appreciate you taking away their struggle.
10. Fabric Accessories
Use the fabric from your client's upholstery or window treatment, or choose a coordinating pattern, and you can create anything. I've done chandelier cord sleeves, placemats, room dividers, ottomans, table runners, and even a flower vase cover. How about trunks, toilet seat covers, sink skirts, towels, napkin rings, drapery tiebacks, ... the ideas are endless!
While you are at the appointment establishing a relationship, and the client is ready to purchase, you know she already likes and trusts you. So why not suggest the perfect finishing touch to go with her _____? You'll be creating a better design, and putting more in your pocket.
Got some inspiring add-on tips of your own? Click to share them here.
I struggle with getting everything done, just like everyone else. All my life I've tried to cram too much into each day. Then I had a baby, and - well, those of you who have kids know that's like adding 3 more full-times jobs to your schedule.
So when people ask me how I get so much done, I try to think about what I'm doing that many others aren't.
One thing I've learned to do is delegate. I'm not perfect at this - I'm still learning to give things away. But each week that goes by, I let a little more go. If a task doesn't require me personally to get it done, it should be done by someone else.
But delegating isn't my biggest secret. Of course, that really isn't even a secret. Most of us know that we should delegate more. We just have to start doing it.
My best secret for getting more done is a quote from marketing guru, Dan Kennedy:
"Good enough is good enough"
This phrase usually horrifies perfectionists (which I know most of you are). But being absolutely perfect about everything is also something we need to let go.
Just think about this weekly newsletter. When I first started doing newsletters, I spent days putting each one together. I'd take a few hours to write an article. Then I'd edit it, re-write it, and edit it again. Then I would send it to a few friends to get their opinion. "Make sure you find any typos and grammar mistakes," I'd say. After correcting it a few more times, I had to send it to myself to proof it yet again. It was a miracle that I got even one newsletter out each month.
I did the same with all my promotional materials - which meant I never had anything done! I was afraid to put up a website or send out flyers because they weren't perfect yet. What if there was a mistake? What if some people didn't like it? What a waste of my time!
As you probably see now - I am not so worried about being perfect. There are often mistakes in my articles, and my grammar isn't perfect. I just try to write from my heart, and then I SEND IT OUT.
And I get so much more done! Can you do the same? While there are certainly things that should still require your perfectionist attitude, there are many things that do not. For these tasks, you must remember:
Good enough is good enough.
Wow - I wrote this article in less than an hour.
I'd invite you to find all my goofs, but that would be a waste of your time.
Go do something constructive!
And make a lot more money, while working less
My next program designed to help you skyrocket your income - while working LESS hours - will be starting in June. It is an intensive course that includes lots of one-on-one time. I am going to show you specifically how to use the Internet to leverage your business - and create extra money every month. (This program requires a substantial investment, and if you think it is for you, email my assistant Scott for more information)
I'm thinking up ways to help you work less. I got lots of emails asking for more information after I sent my article on creating sources of passive income (see below). So I'm creating a program to help you design your own passive income product. But I need your help! If you are interested in creating an e-book or doing teleseminars from home, would you take a moment to answer a few questions for me? Your answers will help me design a program that meets your needs.
Take the survey here.
(Create Passive Income)
Once again, I'm actually writing this article from my bath. You have to try this! It's so much fun to get work done while soaking in the tub.
This is a perfect example of what you can do if you learn how to leverage your time and create passive sources of income for yourself (I explain all this in the article below).
How Designers Can Make More Money in Less Time
How did I turn my struggling 7-day workweek into a thriving, successful design business (where I work only 4 days a week, make lots more money, and enjoy my life more than ever)?
Well, of course it wasn't from applying one single technique. But I want to share one of the best things I did to create more income AND more free time.
I created a source of passive income.
What is passive income? Basically it is something that brings in money even after you are done doing the work. The traditional business model for interior designers is working with clients one-on-one. Well, even if you had a completely full practice, you still have a ceiling on how much you can make. You can't work more hours than there are in a day (although many designers often try!).
But what if you finished doing work for a client, and then other people kept paying you for the job you did? Sound like a fantasy? Well, when I created my first e-book and saw sales come in while I was sleeping (literally!), it did feel like a fantasy.
Yes, an e-book is a source of passive income (and designers and decorators are finally joining in on this incredible source of profit). Here are some other ideas for generating income when you are not actively working:
- Customer Care Membership Programs
Be creative and offer a service that your clients pay for monthly or annually - Recorded Seminars
These can be delivered digitally or on CDs - Live Seminars or Teleseminars
Not exactly "passive," but a great way to leverage your time, by presenting to many people at once - Rentals
If you have an office or showroom, you can rent a part of your space to a complementary (but not competitive) business - Advertising
Yes, YOU can make money on other people advertising - on your website, your newsletter, etc.
I'm not saying that it doesn't take work to create these passive income sources. Good products take a lot of care, energy, and commitment (and sometimes quite a bit of time) to create. But once the work is done, it's done. Yet the money keeps coming in!
Instead of the traditional model of:
Work for a client, get paid.... Work for a client, get paid.... Work for a client, get paid
You can transform your business into:
Work... get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid...
So come join me (there's room in my bathtub for everyone)!
Last Wednesday, at my weekly Mastermind Meeting, I was suddenly motivated to demand that everyone set a "Stretch Goal" for the week. While we always talk about our goals and what we need to get done, I felt that we all needed to make a really noticeable jump to another level. No more being satisfied with coasting along, getting enough done, or just doing fine.
Of course, when it was my turn to state a Stretch Goal, I realized that I would actually have to step out of my own comfort zone. Eeek! So I stated that I really want to hire another assistant, so I can free up a few more hours each week. I love when my "busy work" is handled by others, but setting up the systems and getting started with someone new is the part I dread. Plus, giving up complete control over every detail is a little tough for me. Can anyone relate??
How terrific will I feel once this is all taken care of? Pretty darn good. But although I've been wanting to do this for quite a while, I haven't taken steps to get it done because getting started felt uncomfortable. I needed to take a stretch and step out of my comfortable status quo.
What is a Stretch Goal? It is a goal that requires you to step out of your comfort zone - do something a little uncomfortable or difficult for you. Achieving your Stretch Goal will move you closer to success - in any area. For example, hiring someone new is always nerve-racking for me, but I know that having another assistant will make my working time even more efficient. I will be able to enjoy more free time and make more money.
By the way, hiring people might come easy to you. But it's a stretch for me. Your Stretch Goal has to be a stretch for you.
Would you like to commit to a Stretch Goal this week? First, think about what you'd really like to achieve by next week. Then, write it down. Those who write down their goals are 50% more likely to achieve them.
If you'd like to further increase your chances of achievement, post your goal here (CLICK HERE TO POST). Hold yourself accountable by announcing your goal to the world.
See you next week - one step closer to outrageous success!
I know the feeling too well. I wish I could say that I don't, but I am prone to feeling overwhelmed. As designers and business owners, with so many external and internal factors to deal with - the economy, the housing market, our families, our own homes, the demands of our clients, backordered and discontinued fabrics...(oh my gosh, I am feeling anxious just typing this list!), we are bound to feel overwhelmed and stressed sometimes. So what should we do? Here is what I hear from the 'experts': Take a bubble bath. Get a massage. Read a book. Take a walk. I usually get an urge to punch those experts. When I am in a state of overwhelm, the thought of taking time off to relax makes me more stressed. I have too much to do! I don't have time to take a silly bubble bath. But this is what I have learned: When I am too stressed and too busy to take even a little time for myself, that is when it is absolutely critical to do so! Getting away from the situation is the only thing that will help prevent future overwhelm. Just get through Friday I used to think, "Let me just get through Friday, and then I can relax." Then Friday would come, I'd relax for about a minute, and it would start all over again. I was always "just getting through." Without taking what I call an Intention Break, you will never get your business out of overwhelm. You may get some small relief once in a while, but you never seem to get ahead. Taking an Intention Break If you are feeling
- overworked
- stressed
- overwhelmed
and it seems like you are always working hard but not getting ahead (personally and financially), then you need to take an Intention Break. Here's how it works: - Step Away from the situation that is overwhelming. If it is work and clients, get out of the office. Go outside. Drive to a coffee shop. Plan a trip! (I know - you're too busy to do this! But you can NOT stop the ongoing overwhelm if you do not physically step out of the situation. Take one day to save yourself years of stress.)
- Reflect on your goals, remember your priorities, think about your dreams. What is your intention for running a design business? What did you want to get from this when you started? Is it financial f*r*e*edom? An easygoing lifestyle? To make the world more beautiful? To be known for making a difference? Write your intentions down, and keep this paper with you always. Post it near your desk, place it near your bed, keep it in your wallet.
- Go back to your regularly scheduled life.
Yes, it's actually as simple as that! If you are continuously reminded of your business intention (reading it when you wake up, glancing at it from time to time as you work, saying it to yourself over lunch), you will make choices on a daily basis that bring you closer and closer to your goal - and further and further away from overwhelm. Do you need an Intention Break today?
It really is possible!
By Nika Stewart When I had my first baby almost 2 years ago, I quickly understood the plight of the working mother. The stress, the lack of sleep, the constant demands for your attention. Is there actually enough time to get everything done? It didn't seem possible to me. The available time I had to work on my business was cut way down to about 8 hours a week - and that was adding up all the little "bits" of time I stole when I could. (While she's taking a half-hour nap, I place a quick order. After she goes to sleep, I call a few customers. If my mom can watch her for an hour, I run to a design consultation.) So what did I do about my lack of time? I complained. I don't have time for anything! I can't get anything done. I can't run a business and raise a baby. Everything is going to fall apart! Then one day, when Ellie was about 9 months old, my friend said to me, "Wow, you just had a baby. How do you find the time to get so much done?" And I thought to myself, "What is she talking about? I'm not getting anything done!" But I decided to take a look back over the time since Ellie was born, and I was amazed. With much less time available, I actually did get more done than I had in any previous year in my business! How did that happen? I found the answer to that question recently in an amazing book (The 4-Hour Work Week), and now it seems obvious: When you have a limited amount of time to get something done, you can get it done in less time. For example, if I gave myself a week to place a large order, I would always take the full week (often waiting until the end of the week to really get started). But because I no longer had that time for myself anymore, I had to get the order done in the one hour I could find. It had to get done, and so it did. This is true for every part of my business and my personal life. When I give myself a small amount of time to achieve a goal or task, it gets completed. And so that it what I've decided to continue doing. Today, I have a babysitter for two hours, and so I've decided to write this ezine, email several clients, design a new cover for one of my books, and create a template for a new "Sales for Designers" program I have coming out. Previously, it would have taken me a whole week of working full-time to get this all done. But I don't have that luxury anymore. Thank goodness! The sudden, enormous cut in my personal time made me even more efficient and productive. Why don't you try working just two hours a day for the next week? Decide what you need to get done, and then do it. You might be amazed at how little you actually have to work! To your blissful, joyous success!
By Nika Stewart Imagine this:
Bill Gates gets up at 4:00 a.m. to drive to work. Upon arrival, he checks his e-mail and sees he has 43,224 new messages since last night. As he starts to answer the first one, the phone rings. It’s a woman from Colorado. She is having trouble with the new Vista operating system. Bill gives her a quick solution and gets back to his e-mails. One down, 43,223 more to go. He quickly checks his sales orders and sees that another 8,907 copies of Microsoft Office sold the day before. He gets out a fresh CD and starts to burn a copy of Office. While the CD is burning, Bill fields another technical support call. The call is finishing just as the CD is done burning. Bill affixes a label to the CD, places it in a box, inserts a user manual, and then prepares the package for shipping. One order down, 8,906 to go. His cell phone rings. It’s Melinda. Bring home cheese (Melinda loves cheese). Back to the phones … Of course Bill Gates doesn’t run Microsoft all by himself (he has at least three other employees!). But my point is that it is impossible to run an ultra-successful business by yourself. And you don’t have to be as big as Microsoft.
As designers, we would prefer to spend the bulk of our time doing the things we love to do (designing, client consultations) and the things we need to do to grow our business (marketing, networking). These are the activities that require our direct involvement and should take up a vast majority of our days. Not the “other stuff.”
The Other Stuff:
Bookkeeping, vendor orders, inventory control, appointment scheduling, e-mail writing/answering, sample orders, returning phone calls for minor issues, minor troubleshooting, buying office supplies, researching telephone carriers, website maintenance, sorting mail, sending mail …
I’m exhausted just typing that list! How is it possible that we can grow our business and concentrate on our design work when we are so bogged down by the Other Stuff? The answer is: we can’t. It is essential that we learn to delegate. Why is it so difficult for us to let go of these tasks and hire someone to do it for us? From discussions with many designers, I’ve learned that it boils down to two main reasons:
- “It’s too expensive”
Yes, it’s scary to pay someone to help in your business, especially if you feel you aren’t making enough to justify it. But the interesting fact is that small business owners begin to make more money when they let go of those tasks that are not only depleting their energy, but taking time away from doing the work that will really bring more money in. It is actually too expensive to NOT pay someone to take those money-sucking, energy-draining jobs from you.
If you consider how long it takes to do the Other Stuff on a weekly basis, you will see how much time is being wasted on activities that do not contribute to the growth of your business. By hiring someone, your time is free to focus upon design work and marketing your business.
- “I can’t give up anything / I am a control freak / I need it all done my way”
I know, I know. I’ve been there, too! So here are a few suggestions:
- Take baby steps: Give up just one thing this month. Can you allow someone else to file your folders? Organize your books? Answer your phone? As time goes on, you will get more comfortable letting tasks go. Practice makes perfect.
- Set up systems: The next time you do any of your non-design tasks, write down all of the steps you take, one by one, as if you are writing a detailed system for someone who will be taking over this task (because that’s exactly what you are doing!). This will take you a little extra time, but within a few weeks, you will have systems documented for all of your business chores. With these procedures, you can be more assured that an assistant will perform tasks the same way you would.
I know what you’re saying: “Sure, sure, Nika. I’ll be happy to hire someone and delegate responsibility as soon as my business grows a bit.” Please don’t fall into that trap! Your business will grow if you learn to delegate – not the other way around! You absolutely can not become ultra-successful if you do everything yourself. Just think about poor, exhausted Mr. Gates. For the sake of you and your business: Release, and it will come.
Wealthy Decorator Action Assignment:
Write down all of the tasks that you can delegate, and choose one to release in the next month. Post your choices here on the blog so you can share ideas!
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