Write a list and feel your brain start to declutter

Ben says: "The allure of entrepreneurship is undeniable, however, the reality can often be a rollercoaster of emotions. Studies have shown that business owners, regardless of their company's size, are more prone to mental health struggles like depression and anxiety than the general population. So why do so many people take the leap into the unknown?

I'll never forget the countless days when running my own business felt incredibly rewarding. Sure, there was pressure to succeed, and I sometimes missed the security of a regular paycheck. And let's not forget the moments of sheer panic when staring at a mountain of invoices! But overall, I look back on those times with a sense of pride and fondness.

So how can we try to mitigate the stresses and strains of 'going it alone’ against all the pressures that have to be faced in the world of small business? While there's no guaranteed formula for success as a self-employed individual, my experience and work with countless entrepreneurs at the BIPC have taught me one crucial lesson: thorough planning is essential. There's no one-size-fits-all approach, but a well-thought-out strategy can significantly increase your chances of success.

In the words of Benjamin Franklin ‘If you fail to plan you are planning to fail’. I am sure his to-do list was long and arduous being filled with small matters and tasks such as the signing of the declaration of independence and inventing bifocal glasses, so I guess his ability to plan and execute said plan must have been second to none. In the present day if you have ever spent any time with our armed forces or as part of an expedition team, I am sure you will be familiar with the 7p’s of planning. And I agree wholeheartedly, proper planning and preparation does prevent … the chances of failure occurring!

So what does good planning look like? Again, like most things in life the rich tapestry of tasks, approaches and personalities means the only right approach is the one that works for you and your way of working. One of the main problems we see time and time again is that many small businesses have either micro sized teams to complete all that is needed, more often than not that team being one! But when it is all on you then the simplest thing that never fails me is the humble list.

We hear a lot about the winning mindset in business and the 80/20 rule is well overused. Success is 80% just showing up, success is 80% mindset etc etc. But one thing is clear to me, a cluttered mind is not a productive mind. And if I make a list with either five, ten or 100 things on, I can more or less guarantee to be more productive than if my mind is awash with multiple tasks all being stirred around in a big jumble. For me, this means that 80% of my tasks are forgotten, pushed aside, or fading fast, and 20% are done in the least effective or efficient way I can. Chaos in business is never good and If the starting point for your approach to business is chaotic, what chance of a positive outcome is there!

Entrepreneurship can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also easily swamp you. If you're not careful, your business can consume your life, leading to burnout or an unhealthy work-life balance. In an age where technology is so accessible we really have no excuse not to plan effectively. I can be regularly seen talking to my phone saying ‘set a reminder tomorrow at 8am…’ then fill in the blank for any number of tasks both work and family related just so I give myself a fighting chance of being organised. It doesn’t matter if it is your outlook calendar, a paper diary or the good old to-do list on the fridge, if it streamlines, prioritises and helps you focus on the approach you need you are winning.

The other big win I found when running my own business was to plan my whole day, not just the big things. I found that this made me very answerable to myself and my list. I knew what tasks were in my scope today, big and small, I also knew how long they should take, so on the days when I could control the controllables, I sure as hell did and stuck to it. Now you have things like ‘Timebox’ or ‘Sunsama’ to do this for you!

Life is hard enough without making every waking (or worse ‘sleeping’) hour like an episode of Mastermind when you know not what you specialist subject is, so pick up that pen, stick that post it up there, prattle on to your phone and give yourself and your brain the space it needs to have that winning mentality…now what have I got to do next today!