Have you ever struggled with the decision to let go of something in your business that no longer serves you, even if it's been a part of your identity for a long time?
It happens for many of us; including myself.
Often, there are changes that you need or want to make, but find yourself in the trap of “When this happens, I will…”; only to find that the “when” doesn’t materialize.
Fear of the unknow can hold you back; even though there is potential for positive opportunities.
Letting go of elements in your business that no longer serve you is a transformative step.
By fully committing to streamlining and making tough choices, you can propel yourself towards achieving your ambitious vision and leading a rich, fulfilled life.
In this episode of the #LOYBPodcast, I explore how I’ve recently “let go” in order to lean-out and simplify.
Are you ready to let things go? Join me to discover:
- Importance of introspection
- Why a “season of change” can open up new opportunities
- How to navigate your fear of letting go
- Where to focus for your next “big thing”
Recently, I made the big decision to close my jewelry business.
We were just about to celebrate our 10th year anniversary as Criscara, and it’s actually been 19 years since I very first launched the business (originally Amber Tortoise).
It's was a difficult decision...I loved that business, and designing jewelry.
Being a jewelry designer is a big part of my identity and a creative outlet.
I've enjoyed it so much for so long.
However, what I found over these past few years, is that I haven't had the space to give it the attention that it deserves.
Lean Out Method has been growing rapidly and it's really taking all of my focus.
Knowing that I only have so much "bandwidth"; and practicing capacity based planning, I needed to make decisions that were strategically aligned with my vision and goals.
Capacity based planning takes into consideration what you plan to accomplish and what you can realistically commit to in your business based on the amount that you want to work.
Part of considering your capacity is pausing to reflect on:
- Are you fully living your rich, fulfilled life?
- Are you fully doing things in alignment with your big bold vision?
- Is it time to up level your vision?
- Is it time to up level your identity as the leader of our business?
- Is it time to up level your identity in other facets of our life?
I'll bet you have experienced a similar moment in your business.
We commonly reach these critical inflection points in our business journey and we reach them many times over.
Recognize That it is OK To Let Go
It's ok to let go of the belief that we can do and be everything for our businesses.
It's can be revitalizing and rewarding to let go of the tasks and activities that are simply not necessary or not adding any value to our businesses.
It can be incredibly empowering to let go of the fear of failure and the fear of missing out.
And, it can be challenging or maybe even overwhelming to begin the process of letting go and "leaning out".
An easy way to begin is to identify where you're spending your time and energy:
- Take a hard look at your day-to-day tasks and responsibilities in your business.
- What are you spending the most time and energy on?
- Are these tasks adding value to your business or are they simply distractions?
Do you have projects that you've poured time and energy into, but they're not aligned with your business goals?
Allow yourself to explore pressing the pause button to explore something that fully represents your vision.
Embrace Change
Change is inevitable in business and life, and it is okay to let go of what is no longer serving us.
And, let's face it, reality is that you only have so much capacity in a day, week, month, quarter, year.
Which mean we need to embrace the art of saying 'no.
When you have a clear vision and goals for your business, it becomes easier to say 'no' to projects and tasks that don't align.
Don't be afraid to say no to opportunities that distract from your primary focus.
It can be hard enough to say no to what isn't working - it's especially challenging to say no to what is.
But this is what it takes to continuously level up your business.
So what do you say no to?
The very first step is to look at everything you are currently doing and ensure it is aligned with the next level evolution of your business.
You'll often find that there are things that aren't. Those are the first to go.
You can use the chuck technique to help you determine what to cut, hold, change, or keep.
Focus On Leaning Out to Level Up
Having a clear vision will help you focus on the tasks and projects that matter most.
- What are your goals?
- What do you want to accomplish?
- What kind of life do you want to live?
Next, take a hard look at your daily routines and identify those activities that are taking up the most time.
- Are these activities truly necessary for our businesses?
- Can they be delegated to someone else, automated, or eliminated altogether?
By streamlining our processes and focusing only on the essential tasks, we can free up more time and mental space to do the things we love and that truly matter to our businesses.
Once you've identified tasks that aren't adding value, prioritize the ones that do.
Make sure you're spending your time and energy on tasks that directly contribute to your business goals.
Remember, leaning out and letting go doesn't mean giving up or sacrificing your goals.
It's about focusing your time and energy on the tasks and projects that matter most, so you can achieve your goals faster and with less stress.
Surround Yourself With The Right People
Building a support system of like-minded entrepreneurs and business owners can help us stay accountable, motivated, and focused on what truly matters.
Consider outsourcing: For tasks that aren't adding value or don't directly contribute to your goals, consider outsourcing them. There are many skilled professionals out there who can handle tasks like bookkeeping, social media, and admin work, freeing up your time and energy.
I also recommend joining a private Facebook community or mastermind group dedicated to lean, simplified business practices.
To recap, understand that leaning out and letting go is a process.
It takes time and practice, but it is essential for our businesses and our well-being.
By adopting a lean mindset and streamlining our processes, we can free up the mental space and time needed to grow and thrive in our businesses.
We can let go of what is not serving us and prioritize what truly matters.
And in doing so, we can build businesses and lives that are rich, fulfilled, and free from unnecessary stress and overwhelm.
Are You Ready For Your Best Summer Ever?
Are you torn between relaxing and recharging over the summer or focusing on our goals and moving our business forward? What if you could have both?
The recipe for a successful summer and stress-free return in the fall includes:
- Aligning your goals and activities to your vision and rich fulfilled life
- Getting clear on your capacity for Q3 and creating a capacity-based plan
- Multiplying your time to get more done in less time so you can avoid overworking
- Understanding how to best leverage systems & team to generate results without you
We help you create this and more in PROPEL, a transformative business immersive. Create your plan, and then get ready to experience your best summer ever!
Click here to learn more about PROPEL and the special bonus.
by Crista Grasso
Crista Grasso is the go-to strategic planning expert for leading global businesses and online entrepreneurs when they want to scale. Known as the "Business Optimizer", Crista has the ability to quickly cut through noise and focus on optimizing the core things that will make the biggest impact to scale a business simply and sustainably. She specializes in helping businesses gain clarity on the most important things that will drive maximum value for their clients and maximum profits for their business. She is the creator of the Lean Out Method, 90 Day Lean Out Planner, and host of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast.
