3 Steps To Running Your Business (Not The Other Way Around)

I have given birth four times. Without fail, the umbilical cord has always been cut. This severing act ends one part of our mother/child journey and begins another. While we are no longer connected physically, we are indeed bonded to each other. Over time, my children grow more independent. It is my job to see that process through in the best way I can and with as much love and wisdom possible.
I have been a business owner since 2003. In many ways, I find that running a business is very similar to the parenting process. This year I committed to do all that I could tocut the cord and run my business rather than allowing it to run me. I decided that even if I can’t be entirely caught up, I can certainly be on top of my priorities and structure my day in a way that will encourage professional progress. Here are the three steps I have taken tocut the cord:

Step #1: Set office hours
I have a home office (that is also part of my laundry room). It isn’t glamorous but it has gotten my lap top off of my kitchen table which is a key part of cutting the umbilical cord to my work.
I have worked out a schedule with my husband that allows me to work in the morning while he takes my son to school and again in the afternoon while he picks my son up from school (taking our other children with him each time). This has become my work time.

Step #2: Take control of my inbox
I have set my emails to only send (but not receive) unless I specifically hit thesend/receive button (which I only do at the start of each work period). This allows my responses to get out in a timely manner but prevents me from even seeing the emails that are consistently coming in. This allows me to have anend in sight that I can work toward in catching up for the time being.
I have set up an email automatic reply alerting others of my work schedule. This gives me peace of mind that those contacting me are not only aware of my schedule but expecting me to abide by it. I also know that if something is urgent I have provided a way to be contacted.
I set up a separatepersonal email account and gave it to my close friends and family members letting them know it is to be used for non-work emails. Knowing that I won’t find work related content in these emails allows me to check this email account as desired without worrying that I will get sucked into working during non hours.

Step #3: Create a system for my to-do list
If something comes to mind during my off hours that I need to remember to do I email myself a reminder from my non work email and then breathe easy knowing that I will see the reminder the next time I sit down to work.
I have a spiral binder on my desk that has my to-do list. There is an urgent and non urgent column. Each day I check my list and make sure that the urgent list is caught up. If I finish my emails early then I will tackle a non urgent item on my list.

Perhaps you have a cord that needs to be cut with your business. Let’s run our businesses (not the other way around) together!

Heather Ledeboer is passionate about helping other moms succeed in business. Her passion is directed at finding fantastically fresh mom invented products and offering them on her website, http://www.mom4life.com with free shipping to all US locations. She also enjoys writing on the topic of business and has a particular pet peeve about providing excellent customer service. Twitter @mom4lifecom Facebook Fan page Mom4Life