Time — or lack thereof — is the most commonly spoken challenge for small business owners. Yet, we continue to misuse and degrade our time. Along with the degradation of time, comes an equal undervaluing of one’s talent.
Photo by Dmitry Demidko on Unsplash
Time and talent are two of the greatest assets of any small business owner. This is particularly important for those in the professional service sector where time and talent shape your livelihood Yet if we’re cavalier about our time and talents, how can we expect others to respect and value what we bring to the table?
For Sale: Small Business Owners Time & Talent!
There are many ways in which a small business owner or entrepreneur undervalues — and wastes — their valuable resources. Most are unrecognizable and may seem inconsequential until, over time, they erode one’s ability to achieve any semblance of balance.
Here are a few of the means by which entrepreneurs demonstrate the undervaluing of their time and talent. How many do you recognize?
- Running overtime on pre-scheduled meetings with allocated time limits
- Giving away your billable services for free
- Allowing scope creep to occur unchecked
- Agreeing to every request that comes your way even though its not in alignment with your strategic plan
- Underpricing your services
- Failing to plan for business success
The list can go on and on, but you get the point. When we fail to apply our time and talents appropriately, we inadvertently disrespect and diminish our very own resources.
And, if we don’t hold our assets in high regard, how can we expect others to do the same? Is it possible that this notion is underlying overwhelm and burnout for many business owners? We think it just might be a contributing factor!
Boundaries: Not Just For Maps, Math, or Cricket
One of the most effective ways to demonstrate your appreciation of your time and talents is through boundaries.
Wikipedia defines boundaries as guidelines or rules that people create to identify — behavior that is reasonable and permissible. Although most boundaries serve to educate others on how to act or behave around you, TV psychologist, Dr. Phil reminds us that we teach others how to treat us…
With the tip of the hat to Dr. Phil, we would also like to add that “we teach others how to treat us”… by how we treat ourselves.
If a business owner doesn’t value their expertise and freely shares their know-how with others limitlessly, why wouldn’t others continue to ask for free advice? If an entrepreneur allows scope creep to continue unrestrained, why wouldn’t a client continue to push the limits?
Boundaries — or lack thereof — are built out of beliefs, opinions, and attitudes. The next time you feel dissed and want others to respect your time and talent, remember — you first!
