business
Ask the Experts: A Perspective Shift Veronica Boutelle of PPG corporate partner dogbiz explains the importance of taking small steps as a means to achieving larger goals
Q
: Veronica, this question is for you specifically. A few months ago I read your book, How To Run A Dog Business: Putting Your Career Where Your Heart Is. Your point about working in my business versus on my business has been on a loop in my head ever since. I get the idea that I have to spend more time on the busi‐ ness itself, and not just training with clients and students. But I don’t know where the time comes from. I’m still working a part‐time job, which doesn’t help. I’m in my late 40s and am starting to think I’m never going to really make it. How do other trainers do it? A: If you’re worried other trainers have found a time machine or other wise figured out how to stretch or stop time, I can assure you there’s no secret you’re missing out on. We are all beholden to the same rules and limitations. And the older each of us gets, of course, the more time seems to speed up. That plus a parttime job certainly doesn’t help, as you said. In an ideal situation you’d be able to quit that parttime gig and de vote the extra free time to working on your business. But that sort of luxury is rare. Fortunately, large blocks of time aren’t the only way to move forward; it’s possible to make amazing progress by stacking up small steps using the time you do have. Here are two tips I hope you’ll find helpful for a breakthrough:
#1. Set Aside Anything That Is Non‐Essential: If you’re like most of our oneonone consulting clients or THRIVE! group coaching members, this will sound uncomfortable at first. But if you really mean to train full time for a living, it’s critical. I’m absolutely certain there is nothing on your current todo list or
© Can Stock Photo / Smit
Most often progress toward goals is made by stacking small steps upon each other until they add up to large accomplishments
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