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My 14 years’ experience of growing a business from £0-£100m as well as the life that goes with it.

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Simon Says

Winformation This Week...

When preparing for the life changing event that is starting a business, they say...you must write a business plan...and this would be my advice too. BUT... starting out on this journey, which may take you 40 years to “complete” impacts way more than just the hours between 9 and 5. Below, in today’s One Idea to Win in Business, I list the life prep I wish I’d completed before starting a business. If you’re yet to start, or looking to scale your current business, then this should provide some real value.  

I can be the most distracted man on the planet sometimes. I’ll be in the middle of an important task that has to be completed within the hour and find myself randomly googling “how much did Shawshank Redemption make on its opening weekend?” Mental. So, I've been looking into how to actually focus...properly. And I stumbled on the work of Dr Joel Salinas. Below in today’s One Idea to Win in Life, we look at the scientifically proven steps you can take to help you focus.  

One Idea to Win in Business

Something to Prepare Properly

5 Things I Wish I’d Done Before Starting a Business

The internet is awash with step-by-step guides about how to set up a business, so I’m not going to bore you with the same today. But no-one’s talking about the life prep that needs to be done before a side hustle or full-time business is launched. 

I wish I knew this before I started, the steps below would have saved me months of issues. So, if you know you want to start something in the next 12 months this is the life prep you need to put in. If you’ve launched in the last couple of years, you’ll probably know by now, this is still a great exercise to undertake.

1. List your exact outgoings. Know to the pound what you need to live, add a 10% emergency buffer. Make sure each outgoing justifies itself in your new life. Remove any unnecessary luxuries. You will be having sleepless nights about your business cash flow. Take the steps now to ensure you aren’t worried about personal finances too.

2. Assess your relationship. You can’t go to war in business if there isn’t tranquillity at home. A business in its first few years is like going to war every day, and you can’t fight a war on two fronts. If your relationship is constantly rocky, you need to assess its longevity if this is the road you are choosing.

3. Become a master scheduler. If your business is a “side hustle” as these kids say, then time will be a huge factor for you whilst you juggle work, business and family. Work with an electronic calendar, pre-plan your days and practice time blocking now, so it has become a habit when you finally press the button.

4. Be clear with your closest friends and family. Get everyone on board, tell everyone your plans. Paint the vision for the future, and how this will one day positively impact them. Share specific goals with them, tie them in emotionally to those outcomes. It will mean they are less likely to complain when you have to skip Uncle Paul’s 54th birthday celebration and can’t be home for the Amazon deliveries!

5. Prep your mind and body. Your mental and physical state could well be under pressure in the coming years. Make sure the baseline going in is as good as it can be. Sleep routines, water intake, and healthier food options will all mean the stress you encounter is the business kind and not the avoidable kind caused by lifestyle habits. 

One Idea to Win in Life

Something to Focus Properly

Dr Joel Salinas: The Scientific Way to Improve Focus

Concentration, or focus, is key to your future success. 
 
How close we end up to our intended outcome has a direct correlation with how often and how long we can focus. Don’t just take my word for it, the experts agree with this too. 
 
"Your brain's executive function helps you plan, make decisions, and — perhaps most important — pay attention," says Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. "It acts much like the captain of the ship." 
 
According to Salinas, everyone's brain is wired and programmed differently, but there are strategies to help you focus.

1. Track your lack of attention. Keep a record of situations when you lose focus. Keeping a tally can help drive your attention - it teaches you to be more observant when it happens. Also, plan activities that require less focus during times when you know your attention is at its lowest.

2. Stop distractions. Need to concentrate? Turn off your phone notifications.

3. Work in blocks of time. Research suggests that working in small chunks of time, with rest periods in between, can help with focus, since our attention tends to wane after a certain period. You need to find a time frame that works for you.

4. Watch your sugar and caffeine intake. A lot of us like a coffee to get us going first thing in the morning, but as Dr Salinas reminds us, sudden spikes and dips in your blood sugar levels can affect attention.

   While a small amount of caffeine can give you a short-term mental boost, too much can overstimulate you and make you feel awful and affect your ability to stay focused. Keep track of when and how your attention changes after you drink caffeine, so you can create a routine that suits you.  

5. Keep it social. We all need to get our head down and crack on, but not all the time. Being sociable can fend off any nagging anxieties, as well as keeping your focus in check, because if you want to have a nice conversation, you do need to pay attention and listen to what the other person is saying. 

"In general, focusing on eating more fruits, vegetables, and high-fibre foods while avoiding simple sugars can be enough to keep your blood sugar levels more even," he says. 

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Until next week! 

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