Ditch your decision fatigue. I’m giving you my framework. It’s brilliant. Episode 186

Ditch your decision fatigue. I’m giving you my framework. It’s brilliant. Episode 186

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Simplify Decision-Making and Unlock Success in Your E-Commerce Business

Picture this: you’re facing a tough day in your e-commerce business, and the weight of numerous decisions is pressing down on you like a heavy burden. We’ve all been there. Maybe you’ve even thought, “I want to bash my head against the wall” in sheer frustration. Running an online product-based business can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. The daily grind of making crucial decisions can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. In this article, we’ll introduce you to a game-changing concept that will transform the way you make decisions in your e-commerce journey.

Meet Krista Williamson: Your E-Commerce Business Coach
The brain behind this brilliant solution is Krista Williamson, e-commerce business coach extraordinaire. Krista specializes in coaching store owners just like you, helping them navigate the often tricky waters of decision-making.

The Power of Decision-Making
Decision-making is such a crucial aspect of your e-commerce journey. As an e-commerce entrepreneur, you’re the captain of your ship. Every decision you make, whether big or small, has a ripple effect throughout your business. It affects your time, your finances, your operations—everything!

Now, think about a typical day in your business. Do you often find yourself overwhelmed, spinning your wheels, or procrastinating on important decisions? If the answer is yes, you’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs face these challenges, and it all boils down to…

The Hidden Culprit: Decision Debt
It’s not just the decisions you make; it’s also the decisions you don’t make that can lead to chaos in your business. Krista often refers to this phenomenon as “decision debt.” It’s like a stack of unpaid bills, only in the form of unresolved decisions, piling up in the corner of your mind.

These unresolved decisions can make you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and even paralyzed. It’s that feeling of “spinning” or “stacking” decisions that leads to frustration and drains your energy.

Fear Factor
Let’s talk about why we often find ourselves in this predicament–FEAR. Fear of making the wrong decision, fear of not having enough information, and fear of the unknown can paralyze us. It’s that nagging feeling that we might mess things up if we make a choice. Maybe you don’t even know what you’re afraid of, or you’re telling yourself a story that you can’t make a decision about something.
You’re stuck in your perception of what the problem is, instead of really looking at the facts and backing it up with data. 

The Decision Filter: Your Path to Clarity and Confidence
If this sounds familiar, Krista has a brilliant tool in her arsenal—the Decision Filter. It’s a straightforward yet incredibly effective way to take control of your decision-making process and banish decision debt for good. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Define the Outcome
– Grab a pen and paper.
– Ask yourself: “What is the outcome I’m looking for?”
– Write down the specific result you want to achieve. Be clear and concise.

Step 2: Align with Your Goals
– Next, ask yourself: “Does this decision align with my big-picture goals for the business?”
– Ensure that the choice you’re contemplating is in harmony with your long-term vision.

Step 3: Now or Later?
– Here’s where the magic happens. Write down: “Does this make sense for now, or is it something for later?”
– Give yourself permission to delay decisions that aren’t time-sensitive. Not everything needs an immediate solution.

Step 4: List the Benefits
– At the top of your template, list all the benefits you’ll gain from making this decision.
– Think about how it will bring clarity, focus, organization, and a potential for better outcomes.

Step 5: Evaluate Criteria for Success
– Before you dive in, identify the criteria that will determine your decision’s success.
– What will you measure, and how will you know if it’s working?

By following these simple steps, you’ll bring your decisions out of the chaotic mental whirlwind and onto paper, where you can see them clearly. It’s like flipping on a light switch in a dark room of confusion. Suddenly, you have the clarity and confidence you need to make informed choices.

Power Tool

What makes the Decision Filter so potent is its ability to demystify decision-making. It helps you see that there are no wrong decisions—only decisions with different outcomes. And guess what? You’re fully capable of handling whatever comes your way. It’s not the end of the world; it’s just another step in your entrepreneurial journey.

Common Challenges Solved with the Decision Filter

  • Project Overload: If you’re overwhelmed by a multitude of projects, the Decision Filter can help you prioritize and decide which ones align with your goals.
  • Time Management: If you struggle with managing your time effectively, this tool can guide you in choosing tasks that truly matter.
  • Team Management: Making decisions about your team’s roles and responsibilities becomes clearer when you apply the filter to your choices.
  • Financial Decisions: When it comes to spending resources or investing in your business, the Decision Filter will help you make informed choices.

 

Unlock Success with Krista’s Decision Filter

Now that you’ve discovered the power of the Decision Filter, you have a valuable tool at your disposal. Say goodbye to decision debt, overwhelm, and fear. Embrace clarity, confidence, and control over your e-commerce journey.

Whether you’re struggling with time management, team decisions, or any other challenge in your e-commerce business, remember this: you have the solution right at your fingertips. Just like Krista’s other clients, you too can transform your business by mastering the art of decision-making.

Don’t let fear and uncertainty hold you back. Take charge of your decisions, and success in your e-commerce business will be within reach. 

Ready to simplify decision-making and unlock success in your e-commerce business?

Start using the Decision Filter today, and watch your business thrive. Remember, your journey to success begins with a single, well-filtered decision.

Related Links:

Connect with Krista on Instagram: https://instagram.com/kristawilliamsoncoaching

Stop Spinning and Get More Done: https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/stop-spinning-and-get-more-done-episode-114/

The One Thing Even Smart Business Owners Get Wrong: https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/the-one-thing-even-smart-business-owners-continue-to-get-wrong-episode-174/

Slash Your To-Do List and Get Better Results: https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/slash-your-to-do-list-and-get-better-results-episode-168/

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlights Create High-Converting Product Pages: Expert Tips from Kate Tilbury If you’re...

The Formula for Sales Everyday, Episode 231

The Formula for Sales Everyday, Episode 231

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlightsHow Charlotte Turned Her Passion into a Growing Business Six months ago,...

Focus On THIS Right Now, Episode 230

Focus On THIS Right Now, Episode 230

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlightsThe Ultimate Planning Guide for Q4 Today, we're diving into what I see as one of...

Frustrated by wasting time and money? A new approach for getting ROI. Episode 183

Frustrated by wasting time and money? A new approach for getting ROI. Episode 183

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

or scroll down to get the highlights

Unlocking Your Business Potential: Rethinking ROI for E-commerce Success

If you’ve ever felt like your business is a rollercoaster of expenses, frustration, and unmet potential, you’re not alone. But what if I told you there’s a way to flip the script, maximize your returns, and finally see the results you’ve been longing for?

In this podcast episode, we’re diving deep into the world of ROI (Return on Investment). 

 

The ROI Conundrum

We’ve all been there – you’re investing time, money, and energy into your e-commerce venture, but the results you expect just don’t seem to materialize. It’s frustrating, right? It’s like you’re stuck in a loop, always busy but never quite satisfied with your business’s performance.

But my guest Ciara Stokeland (a seasoned entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in the e-commerce world) is changing the game with a fresh perspective on ROI that can transform your business.

 

ROI ≠ ROAS

Traditionally, when we think about ROI, it’s often tied to advertising spend. You invest X dollars in marketing, and you expect a return in the form of increased sales. While this is a crucial aspect, Ciara brings something more holistic to the table.

She suggests we broaden our perspective and apply ROI thinking to every aspect of our business, not just marketing. Here’s the key: everything you invest in, whether it’s money, time, or effort, should yield a return. It might be a monetary return or a time return, but every investment should have a purpose.

 

The 2-Step Process

Ciara shares two essential filters to apply when considering any business expense:

  1. Budget Check: Start by looking at your budget. Understand the raw cost of the investment and its impact on your net profit. Are you comfortable with the potential effect on your bottom line?
  1. ROI Expectation: Once you’ve assessed the budget impact, shift your focus to what you expect in return. What tangible results do you anticipate? Will this investment save you time, increase sales, or improve your business in some other way?

 

ROI in Real Life

Let’s break down this concept with a couple of real-life examples:

  • Attending Trade Shows

Imagine you plan to attend a trade show, a common expense for product-based businesses. Before committing, calculate the costs – travel, accommodation, and time away from your business. Then, set clear ROI expectations. Will this trade show result in new products, new contracts, or significant sales growth? Approach it strategically to ensure a positive return.

  • Adding New Product Lines

Many entrepreneurs get tempted to diversify their product offerings without considering ROI. Before introducing a new product line, analyze the potential impact on your net profit. Then, ask yourself: What return do you expect? Will it lead to more sales, save time, or fulfill a market demand? Specific ROI expectations will guide your decision.

 

Remember: Resources Are More Than Money

In our quest for e-commerce success, we must recognize that resources extend beyond just money. Time, effort, and attention are equally valuable. Consider the impact of each investment on these resources and set realistic ROI expectations. This shift in mindset can make a world of difference in your business journey.

 

The Life-Changing Magic of ROI Thinking

Ciara’s insights remind us that e-commerce success isn’t solely about hustle and hard work; it’s about making strategic choices. By applying ROI thinking to every aspect of your business, you can optimize your investments, streamline your operations, and ultimately achieve the growth and profitability you know your business is capable of.

So, before you swipe that credit card or commit to a new project/course/strategy, take a moment to reflect on ROI. It’s the key to unlocking your business’s full potential and ensuring that every resource you invest – whether money, time, or effort – works tirelessly to bring you closer to your e-commerce goals.

If you’d like to connect with Ciara and explore her expertise further, visit her website at https://www.Ciarastokeland.com/

 

Related links:

How To Get Control of Your Money https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/how-to-get-control-of-your-episode-158/

A Profit First Expert Shares How To Manage Inventory https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/a-profit-first-expert-shares-how-to-manage-inventory-episode-82/

Grow Up Your Business and Get More Profit https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/grow-up-your-business-get-more-profit-episode-77/

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlights Create High-Converting Product Pages: Expert Tips from Kate Tilbury If you’re...

The Formula for Sales Everyday, Episode 231

The Formula for Sales Everyday, Episode 231

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlightsHow Charlotte Turned Her Passion into a Growing Business Six months ago,...

Focus On THIS Right Now, Episode 230

Focus On THIS Right Now, Episode 230

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlightsThe Ultimate Planning Guide for Q4 Today, we're diving into what I see as one of...

How many “eyeballs” see your products. get past this Roadblock to success. Episode 175

How many “eyeballs” see your products. get past this Roadblock to success. Episode 175

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

or scroll down to get the highlights

When I started our Podcast, the Ecommerce Roadmap, three years ago. I had no idea what I was doing, or if anyone would listen. At the time, I was listening to podcasts myself, and I loved the episodes that left me with something that I could take action on. Even if it was one small thing.

I started out knowing that I don’t have all the answers, but as a long time, and somewhat successful store owner, I could share what I was working on, and let everyone see what real results look like.

My goal was to leave listeners with something they could take action on every time they tune in.

Three years later, I still don’t have all the answers, and I still want to leave you with real strategies that you can implement.

I’m sharing this today because I want you to be clear on the one strategy that has had a huge impact on our Members’ success this year. I think it’s crucial for every store owner.

If you prefer to listen, you can hear about it here if not, read on.

 

A year ago, as a Team, we were preparing for a cookie-less internet by investing a little money on increasing our visibility and focusing on audience building. We created training that walked our members through the process and they learned how easy and affordable it is to build a huge audience of people who have seen their products and have awareness of their business.

Our members are actually able to see how many people have “eyeballs” on their products each month. They can measure and track their total audience size using their total monthly reach.

The training we created is called Ads Made Easy. It’s available for all Inner Circle Members, and if you’re not a member you can purchase it here for only $39.99.

It’s crucial for all store owners to have a big audience because it’s a pool of people you can retarget on Social Media easily, and with only a tiny ad spend.

When you do that, and you give this audience a call to action, here’s what happens:

  • Your audience is 2x more likely (than a cold audience) to click a link and visit your website
  • Your audience is 2x more likely (than a cold audience) to enter your giveaway
  • Your audience is 2x more likely (than a cold audience) to watch your videos
  • Your audience is 2x more likely (than a cold audience) to become a buyer

…and, it will cost you 20% – 50% less per click.

 

The results we get when we retarget our audience are consistently good, and taking the time to build an audience has had a great ROI.

If you haven’t built your audience yet, I would encourage you to not skip this step.

 

This year, we’ve created a tool that our Members use to get even more control over their results. Our Members build out a unique Sales Funnel for their stores. Their Sales Funnel is a visual representation of their customer’s journey from the awareness (eyeballs) stage all the way down to the bottom of their funnel to the “purchase” stage.

Our members can see how many people are in each stage of their Sales Funnel.
This allows them to see the big picture for their business at a glance.

When they implement this strategy, they understand why they’re not reaching sales goals, and they know how to course correct by filling up the weak spots in their Sales Funnel.

They can even make a plan for steady, sustainable sales growth, by adding more people to the top of their Sales Funnel, and nurturing them down the funnel until they become buyers.

A year later, our Members are getting results that have transformed how they approach growing their sales.

See a sample Sales Funnel graphic and learn more about building a sales funnel for your store when you listen to Epiosde #147.

Next week – come behind the scenes with me, and see what’s possible when you do this work every month. I’m talking with a long term member – Renee Harris, you’ll get a peek at insider info that most people never share.

Here’s what happened when Renee started using her Sales Funnel. You won’t want to miss this.

“At the end of Feb, our YTD was only up by 3% over the same period last year. Today YTD we’re at 28% over last year YTD and I expect Q4 to be amazing. I’m working to get that set up and ready. What’s crazy is that June and July of last year were HORRIBLE. I had to lay off VAs, stop my FB ads and quit expensive paid coaching outside TSSG. This June/July compared to last year’s June/July: up 83% (“J” months don’t HAVE to be bad!)”

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlights Create High-Converting Product Pages: Expert Tips from Kate Tilbury If you’re...

The Formula for Sales Everyday, Episode 231

The Formula for Sales Everyday, Episode 231

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlightsHow Charlotte Turned Her Passion into a Growing Business Six months ago,...

Focus On THIS Right Now, Episode 230

Focus On THIS Right Now, Episode 230

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlightsThe Ultimate Planning Guide for Q4 Today, we're diving into what I see as one of...

The one thing even smart Business owners continue to get wrong. Episode 174

The one thing even smart Business owners continue to get wrong. Episode 174

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

or scroll down to get the highlights

The one thing even smart business owners continue to get wrong

A few weeks ago, I was in one of the small groups of clients I’m working with right now, and something happened that stopped me in my tracks. When it happened, I knew I had to share it, because it’s something that we all get wrong. And if nobody points it out, we do it over and over. It keeps us stuck

Hear it on the Podcast

First, here’s what happened:

And as part of the support for our Reliable Revenue program, I work on strategy with a small group of Reliable Revenue students. We work together for 6 weeks, and at the end, the students in this small group have created a Strategic Plan for their store. 

When we’re creating our plans, we use the same process and a Strategic Planning document that I’ve been using for years. It’s how I create my own strategic plan.
I’ve been creating my Strategic Plans this way for many years. It’s transformed the way I operate as a business owner, and as a result, my business has grown by leaps and bounds.

 I’ve developed good focus, and referring back to my Strategic Planning document is the reason for my focus and consistency. It keeps me on track, and I accomplish more.

The Strategic Planning process is effective because it requires you to focus on outcomes, and the document is the tool I use to stay on track.

This work is important for all store owners, but it’s even more critical for 6 and 7 figure store owners. I use this Strategic Planning process with the members of my Mastermind Accelerator group to make sure that they stay on track to reach their goals every year. If you’ve been looking for a place to learn and collaborate with others that are in a similar stage of business, you might want to join us. We accept new members twice a year. Get more information here: https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/mastermind-accelerator/

When I was working with this small group of motivated, and smart business owners, one at a time, I asked them to tell me about the “current status” of their business. 

One after another, they gave me a laundry list of all the things they’re doing. Things like; they have a brick and mortar shop, but they also sell on Etsy, and they also have an online store, and they sell on Amazon, and they do some in-person events.

And that led them to “who” is doing “what” and, who’s doing the social media and all the things they have to give the social media person, and it went on and on. Everyone was doing so many things.

One by one, these smart and motivated store owners used a laundry list of all the things they were doing to tell me the “current status” of their business. 

And then I asked this simple question:
What is your vision for the next 12 months? 

Guess what? It was more the same, a laundry list of all the things they wanted to do. 

Someone was adding a new product line. Somebody else wanted to rebrand, another wanted to start a second subscription, somebody wanted to start a festival in their town.

I forgot how that used to be. Sitting there listening to these people spill out all the things that they were doing and all the things that they wanted to do, a lightbulb went off, and I thought, oh my gosh, I remember doing this. 

Everything in their “future vision” was a list of more things to do. 

And that right there is exactly why we’re all exhausted and overwhelmed.

We set goals that are “more things to do” as our goals, thinking it’s going to get us somewhere.

We all do this, and it’s what keeps us stuck.

Because we’re not actually even clear on where we want to go. 

You can’t be strategic if you don’t have clarity. You have to have clarity first.

Start here to get clarity on the current status of your business
Answer these questions: 

  1. What was your revenue for the past 12 months?
  2. What did you pay yourself in the last 12 months? 
  3. How many days and hours are you working each week?
  4. Are your books up to date?
  5. Is your business profitable?
  6. What’s working well in your business? (make a list)
  7. What’s not working well in your business? (make a list)

Write out your answers to each question. This is how you get clear on where you are right now.

When you have the answers to these questions, that’s the current status of your business. 

Start here to get clarity on your future vision

Evaluate  each of your answers to the current status questions, and ask yourself this question:
If I woke up a year from today,  how would my answer to this question have changed? 

Write out your answers. This is your “future vision”.

Notice that your answers are not more things to do, they’re the outcomes you want most.

Create your Strategic Plan

Once you’re clear on your current status and your future vision, your next steps are:

  • Prioritize your “future visions” in order of most important to least important.
  • Assess the “gap” that exists between each “current status” and “future vision”.
  • Make a list of projects that will “close the gap” between your current status and your future vision.

Your clarity on what you really want will make you go back, and look at that to-do list. 

You’ll assess it from a different perspective.

Look at your to-do list and ask yourself if the work you’re planning is going to get you to your “future vision”?  Is that work even aligned with your future vision?

If it is, that’s great, but if it’s not, then it’s a no. 

Give yourself permission to take it off your list and feel confident that you have a good reason.

If the work you’re doing is not aligned with your goals, why on earth are you doing it? 

When you have clarity, decision making becomes easier. You’ll experience less overwhelm and feel more confident that you are doing the work that will actually lead you to your goals.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlights Create High-Converting Product Pages: Expert Tips from Kate Tilbury If you’re...

The Formula for Sales Everyday, Episode 231

The Formula for Sales Everyday, Episode 231

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlightsHow Charlotte Turned Her Passion into a Growing Business Six months ago,...

Focus On THIS Right Now, Episode 230

Focus On THIS Right Now, Episode 230

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlightsThe Ultimate Planning Guide for Q4 Today, we're diving into what I see as one of...

A Lesson on figuring out what your Business needs now. Episode 169

A Lesson on figuring out what your Business needs now. Episode 169

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

or scroll down to get the highlights

Last week on the podcast I shared a strategy that will slash your “To Do List”, and show you how to be more effective by focusing on what your Business really needs now.

Today, you can be a fly on the wall as I walk an Inner Circle member through the process of figuring out what her business needs now, and setting her priorities for the balance of the year.

Kelli Meyer is a “newish” Inner Circle Member who was feeling overwhelmed by all the things on her “To Do List”. She knew that she had more work on her list than she can manage, but she had no idea what she should work on first.

She was overwhelmed and stuck, so she asked for help in our private Member’s group.

It’s common for people like us to have trouble identifying the tasks that should be a priority vs the tasks that can wait.

When I saw Kelli’s post, I knew I could help. So I invited her to jump on a call with me and we could figure out her priorities.

Together, we walked through the  process of:

  • Getting clarity on the outcome Kelli wants this year
  • Refining her outcome to make specific and measurable
  • Slashing the number of tasks on her “To Do List”
  • Identifying what her Business needs right now
  • Specific tasks Kelli should outsource
  • Deciding on the tasks that are her priority work

We also talked about the one common mistake that will keep you overwhelmed all the time.

See how you can use this process by watching my session with Kelly, or scroll down to listen to our session.

Listen for:

  • The common mistake that will keep you feeling overwhelmed.
  • The “aha”moment when Kelly identifies what her business needs now.
  • Susan shares an extra little gem: The secret to conversion.

Use this simple process every time you feel “decision overwhelm”, and reach your goals faster.

Once you’ve decided on your priorities, it’s common for it to be difficult to find the time to get this work done. It was a challenge that I had struggled with for years, until I finally got some help.

Now I have a process that has changed everything for me. I knew that if I was able to transform the way I manage my work, you can too, so I asked my coach to jump on a call with me and share the process that I’ve learned. You can listen here.

Links mentioned in this episode:
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/a-hot-tip-that-will-make-you-money-episode-154/

Grab the Guide, Emails that Sell here:
https://learn.thesocialsalesgirls.com/emails-that-sell-guide/

 

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlights Create High-Converting Product Pages: Expert Tips from Kate Tilbury If you’re...

The Formula for Sales Everyday, Episode 231

The Formula for Sales Everyday, Episode 231

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlightsHow Charlotte Turned Her Passion into a Growing Business Six months ago,...

Focus On THIS Right Now, Episode 230

Focus On THIS Right Now, Episode 230

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox. or scroll down to get the highlightsThe Ultimate Planning Guide for Q4 Today, we're diving into what I see as one of...

Slash your “To Do List” and get better results. Episode 168

Slash your “To Do List” and get better results. Episode 168

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

or scroll down to get the highlights

What if I could show you how you can slash your giant list of things to do? 

I’m going to give you my process, so you could slash that list today. When you do, I promise, you’ll be more effective, you’ll make measurable progress, and you’ll feel better about how you spend your time.

How do I slash my “To Do List” without creating more stress?

The goal is to reduce the tasks on your list and feel confident that everything won’t fall apart.

You start by realizing that you’ll have a bigger impact on your results if you focus on doing a great job on a few areas of your business, rather than spending your work time rushing through your list and checking off a bunch of tasks.

When you’re in “check off” mode, you’re often not clear on why you’re doing the work, and you’re not asking yourself this one important question:

What does my business need right now?

When we’re in a state of overwhelm, most of us can’t see the answer. We see every task on our list as “important. That creates a sense of urgency, and it’s why we always feel like we’re behind.

A big “To Do List” is the Kiss of Death for people like us.

When you’ve got a big list of important things to do, you’re likely to be in high gear, dipping in and out of projects all the time. You feel like you’re working hard, and you’re doing the things you’re supposed to focus on, but you probably don’t feel confident that you’re on the right track. It feels messy and hard, and you wonder if you’re wasting your time.

Or, you might be the opposite. You might have a huge list of things you know you should do, but you still feel stuck. You know that you don’t have the time and resources to do all the things on your list. You want to work smart, but you can’t get clarity on where to start, and what will have the most impact on your results. You’re experiencing decision overwhelm, and you feel like you’re wasting your time.

Wasting time is more expensive than wasting money.

Don’t risk doing a little of a lot of things, but not completing anything. 

Imagine that you have a piece of lumber setup with 10 nails that you need to finish hammering into the lumber. You’re allowed to hit the nails 10 times.

If you hit each nail 1 time, you’ll start 10 nails, but you won’t finish nailing any of them into the lumber. And in fact, you might not even be able to see that you’ve done anything.

But if you choose to focus on just 2 nails, and hit them 5 times each, you’ll finish hammering in 2 nails. You’ll be able to see the impact of your 10 hits. You’ll be clear and confident about the progress you’ve made, and what’s left to do.

Give yourself permission to remove tasks from your plate, so you can focus, and see the impact of your efforts.

 

3 steps to deciding what your business needs right now

1. You have to start at the end to find where you should begin.

When we’re prioritizing, it’s too hard to sort through and make assessments about all the things we “could” do. So we don’t make a decision. We default to “doing all the things” or we spin in circles, analyzing our options from all angles, and ending up exhausted.

When I’m working with a client, I always ask them about outcomes, usually in the form of a question like this:

If you woke up X months from now, and ONE thing had changed in your business, what would that ONE thing be?

Try it. Ask yourself  – start with 3 months.

In your perfect world, what would have changed in your business in 3 months?

When you focus on outcomes, it gives you clarity on the destination. Once you know where you’re headed, you can make a plan to get there.

Here are some examples of an outcome:

  • My sales have grown
  • I’m emailing my list and getting more sales
  • I’ve got more time to do marketing because some tasks are off my plate

 

2. Make your outcome specific and measurable.

If you’re headed to a vacation rental in a city 500 miles away, would you ask for directions to the city, or would you use the address to get directions that take you all the way to your rental?

You’ll make better decisions when you take the time to get specific about your outcome.
You’ll come closer to achieving your outcome when you find a way to measure your progress.

Here are some examples of how to make outcomes specific and measurable:

Add specifics to your outcome
From: My sales have grown
To: My sales have grown by 10% each month. I’m tracking my sales in a spreadsheet every week.


From: I’m emailing my list and getting more sales
To: My Welcome, Abandoned Cart, and Browse Abandonment flows are complete, and I have sent a campaign every week. I have a spreadsheet to track my campaign sales and I have identified my 4 best campaigns.

From: I’ve got more time to do marketing because some tasks are off my plate
To: I have freed up 2 hours a day. I have a customer service app and I have trained my new Customer Service VA to manage all  customer service inquiries. I have created canned responses and training videos so that my VA has the information she needs to do the job, and we’ll be covered if we have to train someone else on this job.

 

3. Work in your zone of genius 

Give yourself permission to stop doing all the things. Even though you think you can’t afford to get the help you need, I’m going to encourage you to change how you think about this.

I see too many store owners bogged down and frustrated by tasks that aren’t in their zone of genius.

If you’re hesitant to hire for tasks, I would encourage you to start with “one time” tasks.

These are often set ups or installations that require a particular set of skills. A few good examples are things like upgrading the theme on your store, or custom coding, or migrating to a new email provider, or setting up the framework for email automations.

Before you hire someone to do a task, you must understand the outcome you want, and have a clear picture of what a good result looks like.

Remind yourself that you don’t have unlimited time or unlimited energy. Like money, time and energy are resources. When you spend them doing work that is not in your zone of genius, or that you’re not even good at, you’re spending your high value resources on work that you’re not qualified to do.

It’s like hiring the CEO of a fortune 500 company to rewire your house.

This Blog Post and Podcast will show you how to budget for this:
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/how-to-have-more-cash-in-your-business-episode-164/

 

Remember this when you’re facing overwhelm:

Give yourself permission to slash your to-do list. You’ll be more effective, you’ll make measurable progress, and you’ll feel better about how you spend your time.

  • When you’re deciding on your priorities, ask yourself “What does my business need right now”.
  • Focus on specific, measurable outcomes, and use them to decide what your business needs.
  • Work in your zone of genius as much as you can. Wasting time is more expensive than wasting money.

Next week on the podcast, I’m going to show you an example of this process, so you can see how you might apply it to your to-do list. I’ll be working with an Inner Circle Member, so you can see how we identify her outcome, and then prioritize her work.

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New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

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