Referrals Unlimited Network

Are You The General Of Your Army Or Just A Soldier?

I remember hearing once that you should be the ‘general of your army’ and not a soldier (I think it was Mark Hendricks from Internet Success Systems that said that).

I love the phrase and it’s something that I ask myself all the time – am I directing my business, looking strategically and planning (being the General) or am I stuck in the weeds and busy delivering the strategy (being a solider)?

All too often, Small Business owners become the soldiers in their business, and stop acting like the general.

It is very easy for a business person to become so ‘bogged down’ with doing everything for their business, that they lose focus on ensuring that they do the important things that will ensure success.

The main effect of getting bogged down in your business, is that you rarely get anything done WELL.  Sure, you will  get things done – but I’ll guarantee that you are so ’strung out’ that you  just do whatever we can to finish the job.

How often do you review the activities you are undertaking in your business and ensure that you are in fact the General, and not a soldier?

Have you even sat down and worked out the activities that you, as the strategy maker for your business, SHOULD be doing? Have you worked out what you like doing in relation to your business?

If you haven’t worked out what you should be doing and what you like doing – sit down now with a clean piece of paper and start writing.  Create your lists and then use those lists for your planning.

Ask yourself if you need to be doing anyone of the following or whether someone else can do it:

• Copy writing for Advertising
• Article writing,
• Website or blog development
• Book keeping
• Rostering
• Invoicing
• Scheduling
• Ordering

Depending on the business you’re in – this list will differ but the list above should get you going.

The next question to ask is – Is this really a good and solid use of my time – particularly for the tasks that you like to do?

I know there is a cost associated with getting others to help – but you really have to ask yourself – what is your time worth?

If you spend 7 hours working on your website (because you like doing it) but an expert could do the work in 1 hour – aren’t you better off taking that assistance? Think about where you can be focusing your efforts for that 7 hours!

You may need to make some tough decisions for your business to be successful but it’s worth it in the long run.

If you are a member of a networking group like Referrals Unlimited Network, you have the ‘inside scoop’ on service providers who can help you run your business more effectively (and efficiently).  Make the most of these connections.

So tell me – are you a General in Your Army? Or are you a solider?  Share your experiences with others below.

About The Author

Charly Leetham - Wordpress Optimization Expert & Small Business Coach

Charly Leetham helps solopreneurs and small business get their business and online presence in order.   She has many aspects of my business, including small business coaching.

Charly approaches web services work from a holistic point of view and her mission is to help people map their online presence to their business processes, ensuring that the website is an enabler and supporting the business rather than determining the direction of the business.

Stressed About Your Web Presence, Relazx! You’re In Good Hands – Ask Charly Leetham

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