November 2024
I’m the type of person who goes all in on a great idea, especially when it comes to my passions, like this business. Yet, one of my top tips runs counter to that instinct. Instead of taking an idea and diving in the deep end, I’ve learned the value of pacing myself—even when I have an organized, productive plan in place.
My top tip this month is to pace yourself, start small on new skills and tasks, and set yourself up for success.
My all-in personality doesn’t mean I don’t consider my capabilities, bandwidth and comfort level. You can go all-in on something strategically and reasonably. I’ve been thinking about this more lately.
I consider pacing a critical value in business and life. My Notebooks with Ronna workshops, in-person and virtually in December and January, will help you strategize your personal to-dos by pacing and setting a cadence that will ensure success. The process will show you that you don’t have to get everything done at once. There is a lot of value in considering when and how tasks need to happen, rather than simply trying to tackle everything at once.
With a personalized Notebook, you will be proactive and not reactive, and you will pace yourself. These strategies make time for other things that make you happy.
Also, when I co-hosted the Business Boost workshop last month, this strategy emerged as a theme. The workshop was all about social media and where people are struggling.
Four professionals in complementary spaces provided insight to make a successful strategy for small-business social media. My friends Nicola Levine, a branding photographer, and Jill Lawlor, a brand identity designer, spoke about imagery and brand identity holding important roles. Amy Alexander, a marketing and social media strategist, taught about intentional and thoughtful content, and I, of course, provided insight on planning and making social media work achievable and consistent. Basia Falcon of The Pelican Room hosted us in her beautiful space. The women I co-hosted with are incredibly talented, and I was so grateful for the opportunity to host Business Boost with them
I said it there and here, and I’ll say it again: Start small with a social cadence you can manage while pacing yourself and making the quality of the content a priority over the quantity. Don’t set a high cadence until if and when your biz requires it and you can accomplish it.
The Business Boost workshop generated great ideas, and the feedback we got made it clear that many of you want help from various voices and expertise. There’s already another on the calendar - get your name on the waitlist here to join us.
And check out the details and sign up here for my Notebooks with Ronna workshops. I hope to see you at these events, they’re going to be great!
- Ronna
My Favorite Things
I told you about the Business Boost Workshop in the first part of this newsletter. But to say it got me thinking about a million things is actually an understatement, so I’ll share some more because one of my favorite things is undoubtedly unexpected learning opportunities.
I love to learn, and I network, attend workshops and, you know already, that I listen to tons of podcasts. But when I co-hosted my first Business Boost workshop last month, I didn’t expect to be as much of a student as I was - I was there to be a teacher!
But when you open your mind and your ears to the wise words of other entrepreneurs and small-biz owners, there is so much to learn. Some key takeaways from my unexpected learning opportunity:
From the participants: Everyone struggles with social media! Thank you for being so open with us and also sharing some invaluable tips and tricks that you use in your businesses.
From Amy, marketing and social media strategist: Treat interacting on social media like you would in person. Comment and start conversations just like you would in real life! And when you brainstorm content creation, think about the different types of content and how they can be shared.
From Jill, brand identity designer: Having a complete brand toolkit - logos, colors, fonts, and graphics - makes your marketing efforts so much more streamlined. It takes the guesswork out of the process and eliminates that decision fatigue.
From Nicola, branding photographer: There are many different ways to use your branding photos - on your website, on social media, email marketing, etc. Mix in some DIY photos between professional shoots by using similar tones and lighting for a cohesive look.
I am grateful to my Business Boost co-hosts and all of the women who participated. I got just as much out of the day as the participants did. It truly felt like a community for three hours, with women sharing their struggles, successes, and expertise - both on the host and participant sides.
Mark your calendars for January 30, 2025, at 10am for the first Business Boost of 2025. It’s your next chance to be a part of our community!
What I’m Thinking About
It seems that more often than not, the default during this time is to hustle to the end of the year – we grind with holidays, business and personal obligations, give-gifting, celebrating and so much extra to do if we’re business owners. Some of the hustle is inspiring and a pleasure, and some is not.
What I’m thinking about lately is that hustling all the time isn’t productive. This is really clear if you think about the pre-holiday/end-of-year phase where so many of us are just plain tired.
Last month, I got a preview of that phase because I overdid it and nearly broke down.
I had too many things planned one weekend, so I canceled half of them. The problem was that I didn’t heed my own advice. I hadn’t stopped working, networking, family-ing and more for the two weeks prior.
I was burned out!
I should know better because I know where my limits are, and pushing past them isn’t productive. That’s why I have created tools to pace my to-dos, and I teach my clients to do the same.
That weekend I had to have compassion for myself, and I encourage you to do the same. When you’ve gone too far, course correct and get back on the productivity path. Because when we’re exhausted, over-extended and so busy being busy, nothing actually gets done or done well.
Consider my near burnout as your end-of-year warning, or should I say learning? Enjoy the hustle when it's around cherished events or traditions, but pace yourself otherwise. And if you need help… let me know! My productivity consulting and strategies apply to work, life and family. Reach out - I’m controlling the hustle so that leaves me time for you.
Oh, I’m also happy to share my free Holiday Workflows to pace your holiday to-dos. Download the Workflows here!
And, be sure to join me in person or virtually for my Notebooks with Ronna workshops.
Are you ready to explore how Workflows will change your work and life?
Contact me at ronna@workflowsbyronna.com!