What exactly does it mean to 'feel like a CEO'?

Well, let's start with a few examples of what it looks like when you don't feel like a CEO...

• You're constantly telling yourself you need to get organised..
• You spend most of your time winging it when it comes to your content and...well... everything really.
• You look at other business owners and wish you had your sh*t together like them
• You're a bit nervous that at some point you're going to be discovered for the big old fraud you are!

If any of that sounds familiar, then this post is going to get you back on track. It's going to get you feeling like the ground-breaking, world-changing CEO that actually ARE.

Let do this...

1) Planning

Look, I don't need to tell you that planning is a good idea. You know that already, right?

So why aren'tchya doin' it? Could be because you don't have time (errr... planning will TOTALLY help you with that) OR it could be because you're not sure where to start, in which case - start here:

1. Write down how much money you want to make next month (this is your income goal)
2. Calculate how many sales you'll need to make to hit that goal (this is your sales goal)
3.  Jot down 2-3 strategies you'll do to make those sales (eg. Discovery calls, sales emails, launching)
4.  Identify any risks that might stop you from achieving the above
5.  Now plot it out in your calendar - and go do it!

This is a super simple format and as you get more confident, you'll want to adjust it for your biz - but it gives you a place to start if you're feeling lost right now.

OH - and there's one final reason I haven't mentioned that might be why you're not planning: You can't really be bothered. 

To that, I say WHAT WOULD A CEO DO? 

2) Track your money

Are you on top of the money coming in and out of your business? Here are some questions to ask yourself that might give you an idea...

• Do you know exactly how much money you made last month?
• Do you know exactly how much your business expenses were last month?
• Are you putting money aside for tax each month?
• Is your business making a profit?
• Do you have any outstanding invoices?
• Do you pay yourself (a decent wage!) regularly?
• Do you have a separate account for your business?

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz is my absolute fave book when it comes to helping you manage your business finances. He has created a system which really makes sense and is easy to implement even for the most number-illiterate (hello!) of people.

Have you joined my free Facebook group?

3) Create processes

Now, you probably already have processes - buuuut (if you're anything like me), there's a good chance they're all in your head... Am I right?

The problem with this is that as your business grows, the number of processes you need to remember will grow - and the chance of you forgetting things and making mistakes grows too.

On top of that, if you ever want to build a team, they're gonna need to know what to do as well - and unless you hire a team of psychics, they're going to struggle if all your processes are in your head still...

Not sure where to start? 

Mike Michalowicz (yep him again - I swear, I'm not on commission!) gives some great advice in his book, Clockwork. He suggests recording quick videos of yourself each time you're following one of your processes. Then it's all there for for anyone who needs it (including yourself!)

4) Invest in your business

This can be a tough one to swallow - especially if you're not making much money in your business yet.

You might find yourself saying things like 'I'll do that when I'm earning ....' or 'I can't afford that this year - I'll do that next year'. 

The problem is, while it may feel like protecting your money - often times, this hesitance to invest, is actually COSTING us more than we're saving.

• Maybe it's paying for a tool that will streamline your processes and save you time
• Perhaps it's hiring a VA to allow you to spend more time on the high value tasks in your biz
• Or it could be investing in a coach so that you can reach your income goals faster

Chances are, it's all of those things. A CEO recognises the need to invest in order to grow - so consider what investments you can make that will save you time and money.

5) Work on your mindset daily

Let's face it - if you want to feel like a CEO, then that starts in your mind. It starts with what you're telling yourself, what you're choosing to believe about yourself and what you're spending your time on cultivating.

Even the most successful business owners have days where they feel like crap - we ALL do.

But the successful ones have tools to get themselves out of that rut and back to feeling strong again without the muss and fuss of endless self-sabotage, self-recrimination and you know... comfort ice cream and breakfast wine...

Here are some tools that work for me:

• Writing a daily diary
• Practicing gratitude - literally listing what I'm grateful for everyday
• Working with a coach
• Reading self-help books
• Meditating
• Fresh air and exercise
• Sleep
• Healthy eating
• Balance - prioritising relaxation time

I'd love to tell you that I do all of these things perfectly consistently. I DON'T. But I do try - and I also recognise that the times when I'm feeling crap are the MOST important times to prioritise these habits.

A few final tips

I hope this list hasn't overwhelmed you and if it HAS, then just start with one - whichever one feels right in your gut.

And here are a few more little tips to help you 

• Keep things simple ALWAYS
• Follow your instinct (I'm a massive believer in this)
• Stay in your lane - stop comparing yourself with others
• Never give up
• Surround yourself with likeminded people who inspire you and lift you up

You've got this. xx

Before you go!

You weren't going to leave without joining my Facebook group, Fully Booked Mums were ya??

The fact that you're here means I KNOW you'll fit right in. We're a community of 1000+ amazing business mums.

We have monthly workshops, group coaching and planning calls, plus tons of opportunities to network and promote your biz.

Come join us - I'll stick the kettle on.