1 00:00:04,490 --> 00:00:05,080 Hi there. 2 00:00:05,350 --> 00:00:08,400 It's Sue and thanks for joining me for Tips and Talk 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:12,240 Day. These are bite sized topics that I pull from community 4 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:15,880 questions and things that I'm observing in the world of handmade 5 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:16,520 small business. 6 00:00:17,170 --> 00:00:21,080 If you'd like to submit a topic DME over on Instagram 7 00:00:21,370 --> 00:00:22,800 at Gift Biz Unwrapped. 8 00:00:23,730 --> 00:00:24,980 Before we get started, 9 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,460 I'm gonna share a secret with you. 10 00:00:28,150 --> 00:00:32,250 One of my superpowers is the ability to get an enormous 11 00:00:32,250 --> 00:00:36,210 number of tasks and projects done each and every week. 12 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:38,570 I easily meet deadlines, 13 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:41,050 rarely forget to do something. 14 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:44,770 I know at the start of each day what needs priority, 15 00:00:44,770 --> 00:00:48,210 attention and action type A personality. 16 00:00:49,070 --> 00:00:52,330 Yes, and a follow through on the Kobe assessment, 17 00:00:52,690 --> 00:00:54,890 which should have given me the clue, 18 00:00:55,470 --> 00:00:58,730 but it wasn't until people started commenting to me that I 19 00:00:59,050 --> 00:01:02,930 realized not everyone naturally knows how to do this. 20 00:01:03,620 --> 00:01:07,510 It's the biggest single contributor to the growth I always see 21 00:01:07,510 --> 00:01:12,150 in my businesses without spending hours and hours working either. 22 00:01:12,780 --> 00:01:16,950 It's about focus and doing the right things efficiently. 23 00:01:17,740 --> 00:01:20,470 Prompted by all the questions on how I do this, 24 00:01:21,020 --> 00:01:24,390 I went about finding a way to help you perform at 25 00:01:24,390 --> 00:01:25,470 a higher level too. 26 00:01:25,980 --> 00:01:28,990 I analyzed my methods and formalized my process, 27 00:01:29,310 --> 00:01:33,150 which is one many of my coaching clients now also follow. 28 00:01:33,770 --> 00:01:34,910 You can use it too. 29 00:01:35,340 --> 00:01:39,190 It's all part of a tool called the Inspired Daily Planner 30 00:01:39,460 --> 00:01:42,070 made specifically for gifters, 31 00:01:42,220 --> 00:01:43,510 bakers, crafters, 32 00:01:43,510 --> 00:01:43,990 and makers. 33 00:01:44,780 --> 00:01:45,870 Make no mistake, 34 00:01:46,100 --> 00:01:48,270 this is not your ordinary planner. 35 00:01:48,950 --> 00:01:49,750 First off, 36 00:01:49,750 --> 00:01:54,830 it comes with a video explaining my productivity strategy and the 37 00:01:54,990 --> 00:01:56,590 physical planner isn't dated, 38 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:59,630 so you can start using it the second it arrives at 39 00:01:59,630 --> 00:02:00,350 your doorstep, 40 00:02:00,810 --> 00:02:05,110 and that's not all included for each day is a motivational 41 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:09,350 or business building tip and plenty of space to capture and 42 00:02:09,350 --> 00:02:14,310 book in time for to-dos scheduled appointments and all those ideas 43 00:02:14,310 --> 00:02:15,710 that are now getting lost. 44 00:02:16,460 --> 00:02:19,480 You can watch the video for free and then get your 45 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:23,400 inspired daily planner@giftbizunwrapped.com 46 00:02:24,040 --> 00:02:25,720 slash inspired. 47 00:02:27,590 --> 00:02:32,080 This one tip will save you an enormous amount of time 48 00:02:32,740 --> 00:02:34,200 and your sanity. 49 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:38,510 It will give you purpose to your efforts or help you 50 00:02:38,510 --> 00:02:43,630 catch yourself if your intended actions aren't even necessary. 51 00:02:44,420 --> 00:02:47,750 This should happen every time you're about to embark on a 52 00:02:47,750 --> 00:02:48,190 new project, 53 00:02:48,420 --> 00:02:49,990 regardless of its size. 54 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:55,070 It could be huge like starting your business or small, 55 00:02:55,100 --> 00:02:59,720 like adding a new social media platform or deciding on a 56 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:00,960 craft show to attend. 57 00:03:01,980 --> 00:03:05,630 Before you take on any new projects, 58 00:03:06,370 --> 00:03:09,310 ask yourself some version of this question, 59 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:14,300 Why is this an important thing to focus my energy on 60 00:03:14,300 --> 00:03:19,290 now? Then you should have a specific and detailed answer to 61 00:03:19,290 --> 00:03:20,890 that question that includes, 62 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:23,130 what is my intended result? 63 00:03:23,870 --> 00:03:27,210 How do I expect things to be different once this is 64 00:03:27,210 --> 00:03:27,650 in place, 65 00:03:28,590 --> 00:03:31,490 and is the result worth the energy, 66 00:03:31,640 --> 00:03:34,170 time or money that will be required? 67 00:03:35,230 --> 00:03:39,260 By gaining clarity on why what you're doing in your business 68 00:03:39,310 --> 00:03:40,020 is important, 69 00:03:40,410 --> 00:03:44,540 you'll find that you can grow faster because you're devoting resources 70 00:03:44,750 --> 00:03:49,140 to the right things and because you're using your time intentionally 71 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:51,860 and you know the why to your efforts, 72 00:03:52,070 --> 00:03:54,260 there's less stress and overwhelm. 73 00:03:55,090 --> 00:03:59,020 You're only working on things that you've consciously decided can make 74 00:03:59,220 --> 00:03:59,820 a difference. 75 00:04:00,550 --> 00:04:04,820 It also leads to thinking about how you'll monitor whether set 76 00:04:05,100 --> 00:04:07,260 activity is bringing in the expected results. 77 00:04:08,390 --> 00:04:11,770 I'm always amazed when I ask people why they're working on 78 00:04:11,770 --> 00:04:12,450 this or that. 79 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:15,210 Most times there's no concrete answer. 80 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:18,810 I'll get responses like I keep hearing, 81 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:20,250 I should be on TikTok, 82 00:04:21,140 --> 00:04:24,170 or I think it would be fun to redo my labels 83 00:04:24,170 --> 00:04:25,170 in different colors, 84 00:04:26,220 --> 00:04:30,850 or I'm going to be really productive this weekend and reorganize 85 00:04:31,020 --> 00:04:31,610 my office. 86 00:04:32,940 --> 00:04:36,900 While these things may or may not be necessary ever, 87 00:04:37,450 --> 00:04:40,820 it's also a question of whether now is the right time. 88 00:04:41,530 --> 00:04:44,940 It's so easy to be busy doing things that don't lead 89 00:04:44,940 --> 00:04:45,900 you to your goals. 90 00:04:46,670 --> 00:04:49,020 It feels like you're being super productive, 91 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:52,740 but there aren't any dollar achievements realized for the time that 92 00:04:52,740 --> 00:04:53,380 you've put in. 93 00:04:54,050 --> 00:04:57,900 That's because it's easier to do things you're comfortable with that 94 00:04:57,900 --> 00:05:01,820 come naturally to you than work on projects that can move 95 00:05:01,820 --> 00:05:04,140 the sales needle but are more challenging. 96 00:05:05,020 --> 00:05:08,990 Then you fool yourself that you're working so hard on your 97 00:05:09,230 --> 00:05:10,790 business, which you are, 98 00:05:11,330 --> 00:05:13,030 but your sales don't increase. 99 00:05:13,850 --> 00:05:14,850 Sound familiar? 100 00:05:16,260 --> 00:05:17,430 With that in mind, 101 00:05:17,780 --> 00:05:20,630 take a look at the activities you have lined up for 102 00:05:20,630 --> 00:05:24,030 the next couple of weeks or maybe one you're working on 103 00:05:24,030 --> 00:05:24,510 right now. 104 00:05:25,250 --> 00:05:28,710 Are you able to give yourself an answer as to how 105 00:05:28,710 --> 00:05:31,470 this project will impact your business positively? 106 00:05:32,260 --> 00:05:36,090 Be mindful that project creep can come into play here too. 107 00:05:36,850 --> 00:05:41,290 Obviously, preparing for an upcoming craft show is important and will 108 00:05:41,290 --> 00:05:44,610 lead to sales and new prospects to add to your email 109 00:05:44,610 --> 00:05:48,970 list, but what exactly are the valuable tasks? 110 00:05:50,010 --> 00:05:51,080 By way of example, 111 00:05:51,510 --> 00:05:55,400 here's what I'd suggest are productive and valuable tasks, 112 00:05:56,190 --> 00:05:59,640 A dry run setup of your table so you ensure that 113 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:01,960 you have all the elements of a strong display, 114 00:06:02,260 --> 00:06:04,680 particularly if this is your first show. 115 00:06:05,750 --> 00:06:08,140 There's making enough product to sell, 116 00:06:09,260 --> 00:06:13,380 creating a plan to collect email addresses at the event and 117 00:06:13,900 --> 00:06:18,060 planning and practicing your checkout system so you're efficient and people 118 00:06:18,060 --> 00:06:20,780 don't walk away because they've waited too long. 119 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:22,890 Here's what I suggest. 120 00:06:22,990 --> 00:06:25,570 May not be productive tasks, 121 00:06:26,010 --> 00:06:29,050 going out and buying a new tablecloth so you have a 122 00:06:29,050 --> 00:06:30,370 backup just in case, 123 00:06:31,220 --> 00:06:35,490 or redesigning your bag stuffers with different wording and logos when 124 00:06:35,490 --> 00:06:37,450 the current one is just fine. 125 00:06:38,570 --> 00:06:42,350 I'd say that sending out announcements to those who attended your 126 00:06:42,350 --> 00:06:46,910 past shows is a much better idea and making a plan 127 00:06:46,910 --> 00:06:50,870 for how you'll post on social media before and during the 128 00:06:50,870 --> 00:06:54,390 show to prompt attendance would be a more valuable project too. 129 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:59,230 Leading directly to more customers at the shows and more sales 130 00:06:59,450 --> 00:07:00,150 for you. 131 00:07:01,010 --> 00:07:02,270 Get the idea here. 132 00:07:02,940 --> 00:07:06,190 Make a note for yourself and post it somewhere where you'll 133 00:07:06,190 --> 00:07:07,070 see it each day. 134 00:07:07,450 --> 00:07:08,630 The note should read, 135 00:07:09,130 --> 00:07:11,190 Why am I doing this project? 136 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:16,180 Consciously review your activities in this way and see the change 137 00:07:16,180 --> 00:07:19,300 it makes in your life and the growth that you'll realize 138 00:07:19,470 --> 00:07:20,660 in your small business. 139 00:07:23,090 --> 00:07:24,020 That's a wrap. 140 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:26,180 I'm a get to the point kind of girl, 141 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:29,300 and this is what you can expect from these quick midweek 142 00:07:29,300 --> 00:07:32,060 sessions. Now it's your turn. 143 00:07:32,630 --> 00:07:34,780 Go out and fulfill that dream of yours. 144 00:07:35,140 --> 00:07:37,100 Share your handmade products with us. 145 00:07:37,550 --> 00:07:40,060 We want them and they bring us both. 146 00:07:40,510 --> 00:07:41,780 So much happiness.