How to Work Smarter, Not Harder in Your Business

In the summer of 2022, my family welcomed a furry new addition – an adorable English Setter puppy named Scout. We were (and still are) absolutely smitten with that little ball of energy and couldn’t wait to watch him grow. But I’ll be honest, the first few weeks of puppy parenthood were ROUGH. Between the sleep deprivation, constant supervision, and shark-like puppy teeth, I found myself wondering what on earth I’d gotten myself into. That’s when I realized that the key to success in both puppy training and entrepreneurship is learning to work smarter, not harder.

I remember during the potty training phase of puppy parenthood, as I was cleaning up yet another puddle on the floor, it hit me: raising a puppy is a lot like starting a business. It’s messy, exhausting, and sometimes downright frustrating. But with the right strategies and mindset, it can also be incredibly rewarding. So today, I want to share some of the parallels I’ve discovered and how you can apply them to your own business journey.

Lay the Foundation Early

When you bring home a new puppy, it’s tempting to focus on all the fun stuff – the cuddly naps, the adorable Instagram photos, the heart-melting puppy eyes. But experienced dog owners know that the real work happens behind the scenes. From crate training to socialization to basic obedience, there’s a lot of groundwork that needs to be laid in those early weeks and months. Skip this crucial step, and you’ll likely end up with a poorly behaved adult dog down the line.

The same principle applies to your business. When you’re first starting out, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of landing clients, making sales, and seeing your dream become a reality. But if you don’t take the time to build a solid foundation, you’ll likely struggle to scale and sustain your growth over time.

So, what does that foundation look like? It starts with getting crystal clear on your mission, vision, and values. What do you stand for as a business owner? Who do you want to serve, and how do you want to make an impact? What kind of lifestyle do you want to create for yourself and your family? Answering these big-picture questions will help you make aligned decisions as you grow, rather than chasing shiny objects or saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way.

Document Your Processes

Imagine if every time your puppy needed to go outside, you had to stop and think about where the leash was, what treats to bring, and which door to exit. It would be a total time-suck, right? That’s why experienced dog trainers recommend creating consistent routines and processes from day one. By doing the same thing every time, you make it easier for your puppy to learn and for you to stay sane.

The same goes for your business. The more you can document and systematize your key processes – from onboarding new clients to managing your finances to delivering your products or services – the more efficiently you’ll be able to run your operation. This will not only free up your time and energy to focus on high-level strategy and growth, but it will also make it easier to delegate tasks to team members or contractors in the future.

Prioritize Your Time and Energy

Puppies have a seemingly endless supply of energy, but as a human, you definitely don’t. If you try to match your puppy’s pace and play 24/7, you’ll quickly burn out. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize your time and energy, both in puppy training and in business. Rather than trying to do everything at once, focus on the activities that will have the biggest impact.

For Scout, that meant concentrating on basic obedience and socialization skills first before moving on to more advanced tricks. For your business, it might mean focusing on revenue-generating activities like sales and marketing, before diving into more administrative tasks. It also means being intentional about your schedule and blocking out time for self-care and rest. Just like a puppy needs plenty of naps and downtime to grow and develop, you need regular breaks to recharge your batteries and show up as your best self.

Embrace the Journey

Puppies don’t become well-behaved adult dogs overnight. It takes months (and sometimes years) of consistent training, patience, and positive reinforcement to shape their behavior. Similarly, building a successful business is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be ups and downs, triumphs and setbacks, and plenty of moments where you wonder if you’re cut out for this whole entrepreneurship thing.

But just like with puppy training, the key is to embrace the journey and celebrate the small wins along the way. Whenever your puppy learns a new command or goes a full day without an accident, it’s a reason to cheer. And every time you land a new client, hit a revenue goal, or receive a glowing testimonial, it’s a sign that you’re on the right track.

So my challenge to you, Leading Lady, is to approach your business with the same mix of determination, flexibility, and joy that you would bring to puppy training. Trust that the hard work you’re putting in now will pay off in the long run, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance when you need it.

Ready to Work Smarter, Not Harder?

If you’re ready to build a business that allows you to work smarter, not harder, I’d love to support you on your journey. As a certified business coach and strategist, I specialize in helping high-achieving women entrepreneurs create sustainable, profitable businesses without sacrificing their sanity or their personal lives.From clarifying your vision and values to creating streamlined systems to prioritizing your time and energy, I’ll help you lay the foundation for long-term success. And just like with puppy training, we’ll celebrate every milestone and victory along the way.

If you’re interested in learning more, I invite you to book a free discovery call with me. We’ll chat about your business goals, challenges, and opportunities and see if we’re a good fit to work together.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. What’s one area of your business where you’re ready to work smarter, not harder? What’s one small step you can take today to start building that foundation for success?

Remember, just like raising a puppy, building a business takes patience, persistence, and a whole lot of love. But with the right mindset and strategies, you can create something truly remarkable while working smarter, not harder.

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