More Action, Less Researching: Put Those Blinders On
Kathleen Lawson
Strategy, Planning and Execution for Small, Service-Based Businesses | Empowering Creative Entrepreneurs | Practical Guidance | Accountability | Planning Workshops
Research is a relative term when it comes to how much each person thinks they should do. It’s important, but it can also be a way to avoid other things you have to do, like moving forward in your business. So I invest a good amount of time into reminding my clients to focus on more action, less researching.
As small business owners, we juggle so many responsibilities. We have to balance serving our clients and serving our own business as a client. We also have to learn skills we don’t have that are necessary to grow our businesses successfully, which is one more thing to juggle.
Research is a wonderful way to learn. We have unlimited access to podcasts, DIY videos, blogs, courses, etc. But we have to be discerning when deciding what type of learning we need to prioritize, and how much time we can afford to spend on research. And, every time you learn something new, your brain gets a boost of “feel good” dopamine - whose brain doesn’t love that? But beware - research gone wild can turn into procrastination and comparison.?
Early on in my business, once I had my initial services in place I scoured the websites of competitors and thought of it as “research”. You should stay on top of the competition, right? That depends.
Business owners always want to do something new - offer a new service, or implement a new marketing strategy - it’s just what they do. But they can get so caught up in researching that they turn themselves inside out and upside down, leaving themselves overwhelmed and unable to take a step forward. It’s good to know what your competitors are offering but if you are consumed by it like I was, you’re past that point. It led me to overthink and doubt myself. That’s when I learned the value of putting my blinders on and taking action.
If you took all the foundational steps when you started your business - working with a branding specialist, understanding who you are, who your ideal client is, how you help them, and how to talk about your business - you don’t need to compare yourself to your competitors.
Making changes based on what others are doing - is only going to hurt you. It dilutes your true message when you offer services that are not based on your personal strengths or your brand. Give yourself credit - you were brave enough to start a business. You should have confidence in yourself and what you developed. So put the blinders on and focus on taking action towards your goals.? So how do we know when to invest more time in research, and when to put our eyes back on our own paper and get moving?
“The utility of knowledge rests only in its application.” - Alexander Hayne
This is where I often come in - to help my clients step away from all of the research and instead, make a simple plan and move into action.?
I’m not saying you have to quit your research habit cold turkey. Research, in moderation, is paramount to staying current, understanding the changing needs of clients, and keeping an eye on the business climate. A keen strategy can be developed based on targeted research. Reasonable research helps you:
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The problem is if you’re not intentional with your time and purpose, you could research forever. Remember Calculus - that point at the top of the curve? It’s crucial to know when to quit, and to spend your time in action. Most small business owners I know need to be efficient with their time, and research is not an income-producing activity. If you’re not doing something that directly brings in revenue, you should be choosing actions that will get you there, such as marketing and sales activities.? You also need to learn to make decisions without hesitation. Just researching can hold you in limbo without producing results. Finding that balance is key. Here are my suggestions to take more action and do less research:
Improve your mindset by taking action.
I’ve watched too many clients slip into panic mode when they got carried away in research. Not being in action prevents actively increasing their revenue or even their pipeline. Once they are focused on moving forward, their mindset always improves.?
Set clear research goals for yourself.
Open-ended research is not your friend. One of my recent clients was wrapped up in finding a tech solution. I got them to agree to only look at three recommended platforms and then choose the best option. Commit to a time, set an alarm, and hold yourself accountable.
Give yourself a timeline.
If you have a clear deadline, it’s easier to schedule effective time blocks for tasks, one of them being research. If you don’t finish, you should still move on to the next time block. I see my clients struggle with this often. My reply? “Let’s schedule some blocks of time every week and then make a? decision next month.”?
Leverage technology in your research.
You can streamline research with tools such as customer feedback systems and market analysis. Another actionable tool that saves time is automation. It’s an efficient way to acquire actionable insights. If you need help getting your blinders on and focusing on taking the necessary actions to reach your goals, let’s talk about how to make that happen.
P.S. Ready to stop spinning in place and get to the other side of your goals? Here are several ways I can help: