The Business You Really Want

Is it possible that the goals you're setting for your business are actually holding you back?

In this episode of The Business You Really Want, hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo dive into the concept of good vs. bad goals. They challenge the notion of SMART goals and explain why what might be a good goal for one person could be a terrible goal for another. They also explore how to set goals that align with your values, vision, and motivation to drive real business success.

Are you in control of your systems, or are your systems controlling you?

In this episode of "The Business You Really Want," hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo invite you into the world of systems and how the behaviors within your business shape the results you see. Whether you're running a solo operation or managing a growing team, understanding and optimizing your systems can lead to more efficiency, less stress, and greater success.

Here’s what you can expect in this episode:

• 2:38 - Systems are actually just behaviors
• 6:32 - Learn your behaviors by consciously observing them
• 10:00 - How to document your systems once you know they work
• 12:35 - How to identify the behaviors that make up your systems.
• 17:28 - Why being too flexible might be sabotaging your business success
• 20:28 - Creating intentional systems that align with your goals and values
• 22:58 - The time it takes to standardize behaviors into effective systems
• 27:54 - Free yourself by standardizing behaviors for recurring decisions

Key Takeaways:

• Systems are not software: Understand that systems are the consistent behaviors and processes that happen in your business every day.
• Observe your behaviors: Start noticing the automatic decisions you make daily; these are your true systems.
• Document only when necessary: Don’t waste time writing down processes until you know they are effective and repeatable.
• Balance flexibility with structure: Too much flexibility can lead to chaos; find the right balance to keep things running smoothly.
• Leverage outside perspectives: Sometimes, you need an external observer to point out unconscious behaviors that could be impacting your success.

Ready to optimize your business systems? Try this:

1. Start by observing: Take a week to note down every step you take in completing your daily tasks. What patterns do you see?
2. Ask why: For every action, ask yourself why you are doing it that way. Is there a better or more efficient way?
3. Streamline your processes: Identify areas where you can reduce steps or make things more straightforward.
4. Get feedback: Consider working with a coach or a trusted colleague to gain insights into your habits and how they could be improved.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!

Also, be sure to check out Episode 8, where we explore solving the right problems in the right order.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks on your to-do list? Struggling with which to tackle first when everything seems equally urgent?

In this episode of The Business You Really Want, hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo discuss the challenge many entrepreneurs face: managing the overwhelming sense of urgency that leads to paralysis. Together, they explore how to prioritize tasks, the myth of multitasking, and practical tips for regaining control when everything feels equally important.

Here’s what you can expect in this episode:

• 3:05 – Why are entrepreneurs constantly getting overwhelmed by “urgent” tasks
• 3:41 – The lie entrepreneurs believe about multitasking
• 8:09 – The "G.I. Joe Rule": Knowing is half the battle in overcoming overwhelm
• 13:17 – How to distinguish between what’s truly urgent and what just feels urgent
• 18:40 – A practical question to determine what’s actually urgent
• 20:26 – How to avoid creating busy work in order to feel productive
• 24:21 – How to balance daily tasks with long-term strategic priorities
• 27:40 – Practical steps for prioritizing tasks and eliminating unnecessary busywork

Key Takeaways:

• Multitasking doesn’t exist: Switching rapidly between tasks is not effective and can drain more energy than it saves.
• Not everything is urgent: Ask yourself, "What happens if I don’t do this now?" to identify what’s truly important.
• Focus on 1-3 key tasks per day: Making slow, steady progress on big goals is more effective than trying to do everything at once.
• Eliminate busywork: Some tasks might feel important, but they could just be habits that don’t move the needle in your business.
• Prioritize self-awareness: Recognizing when you’re overwhelmed is the first step to addressing it.

Ready to manage your business without feeling overwhelmed? Try this:

1. List all tasks: Write down everything you think is urgent and assess how much focus each task requires.
2. Ask, "What happens if I don’t do this now?": This will help you separate urgent tasks from important ones.
3. Focus on 1-3 key tasks per day: Prioritize tasks that truly make an impact.
4. Create space for long-term goals: Remember, daily tasks shouldn’t overshadow long-term strategies.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

The Everyday Effectiveness team practices true accountability internally and in partnership with their clients. If you’d like to experience the Weekly Course of Action for yourself, join the waitlist here: https://forms.gle/eqSzk6oktYdoCUaM9

The Mars Pathfinder overwhelmed to the point of paralysis: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatmakessensetome/video/7196121424539487530

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!

Don’t miss Episode 11, where you’ll learn whether there’s such a thing as a bad goal and how to set objectives that truly serve your business and align with your values.

In this special episode of The Business You Really Want, Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo reflect on listener feedback and dive into real-life success stories. With insights from reviews, they discuss the challenges female entrepreneurs face, the pressures of traditional success metrics, and how to take action based on your unique definition of success. Whether you're just starting your business or navigating the complexities of growth, this episode is packed with practical advice on aligning goals with your values and protecting your time.

Here’s what you can expect in this episode:

• 2:20 – The major themes from listener feedback: Time management, success, and learning from mistakes
• 4:00 – Avoiding business mistakes before they happen
• 7:56 – The pressure women face to meet traditional success metrics
• 8:30 – The importance of defining your own success and avoiding societal pressure
• 11:52 – Why time pressure feels more intense for women in business
• 14:39 – How a patriarchal society has impacted the way we define success
• 18:30 – Integrating your personal life and business goals, instead of compartmentalizing them
• 21:20 – Why small business owners and solopreneurs feel short on time, and how to stop filling every moment
• 22:48 – The importance of adding and keeping margin in your schedule
• 25:00 – Working less may not make you less productive
• 27:10 – You’re only productive 60-80% of the time you work
• 30:00 – The time you need to accomplish something may be relative to you
• 33:23 – Don’t add more to your plate as soon as you’ve cleared something else from it
• 36:10 – If I free up time, how do I not fill it with other stuff?
• 39:30 – The value of accountability and finding someone who can provide true, non-judgmental feedback

Key Takeaways:

• Define your own success: Success means different things to different people. Take the time to decide what it means for you—don’t let society define it for you.
• Question best practices: Just because something is labeled a “best practice” doesn’t mean it’s the best for you. Learn to question everything and trust your instincts.
• Create margin in your life: Make room in your schedule for unexpected opportunities or challenges. Having white space helps you avoid burnout and allows for creativity.
• Don’t compartmentalize: Instead of trying to separate your personal life and business goals, treat them as part of the same journey.
• Accountability matters: Find someone who can give you honest, non-judgmental feedback and help you stay on track with your goals.

Ready to take action on your insights? Try this:

1. Define success for yourself: What does success look like for you right now? Be specific, and let go of societal expectations.
2. Create margin in your schedule: Set aside time each day or week for nothing. Protect that space and resist the urge to fill it with more work.
3. Seek accountability: Find someone who can offer objective insights and hold you accountable without judgment.
4. Reflect regularly: As your life changes, so will your definition of success. Take time every few months to reassess your goals and make adjustments as needed.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

The Everyday Effectiveness team practices true accountability internally and in partnership with their clients. If you’d like to experience the Weekly Course of Action for yourself, join the waitlist here: https://forms.gle/eqSzk6oktYdoCUaM9

Leave a review on Apple:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!

Also, be sure to check out Episode 13, where we dive deeper into balancing personal and professional priorities to create a sustainable business model.

Do you know the difference between being reliable and being accountable?

In this episode of "The Business You Really Want," hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo break down the concept of true accountability and why it’s crucial for achieving sustainable success in business. Learn the key differences between tracking, reliability, and accountability, and how fostering a culture of non-judgmental accountability can transform your business operations and outcomes.