Can't see the woods for the trees!

Sometimes when you are running a business it is necessary to take a step back and review your progress.  It helps you to focus and gives you a chance to motivate yourself all over again.

Sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees!

No matter how big or small your enterprise it is very easy to get lost in the day to day cycle and forget what you are actually trying to achieve.  That is why this week my mum and I have spent alot of time reviewing and updating our business plan, reading business books and articles and measuring our progress so far.
Being half way through the year this gives us a good indication of whether we are on track or not.  Unfortunately business plans, finances and general admin may not be the most exciting of ways to pass the day but they are extremely useful and necessary for anyone running a business.

It never ceases to amaze me when I come across other crafters who have no business plan, no marketing plan, sometimes even no business cards!!! and generally no idea what they are trying to achieve.  These are the same people who then sit moaning that they have no money and wonder why they can't make a living out of what they are doing.
I'm not trying to be harsh but unless you are only planning on making and selling things as a hobby then I have no sympathy with these complaints.  I always liken it to having no map and a vague idea of a destination you want to go to and then wondering why you never get there! (Apologies all this paperwork is making me slightly grumpy!)
Anyway, this weekend we have not booked any craft fairs and we are treating ourselves with a wee day trip to Edinburgh.  Sometimes just taking a day out is enough to help you focus and recharge your batteries.
Next week we have booked into another Business Gateway workshop which are always packed full of useful advice and are a good opportunity for meeting other business owners.  Whether you are thinking of starting up or have been in business for a while these workshops will answer most of your questions and the best thing is they are free.
We have set aside next week with a list of further tasks that we need to complete and then we will have a whole new set of goals to work towards! 

Who said running a business is easy?

I just wanted to finish with a quote that sums up my week for me and will hopefully give anyone else in the same situation the motivation to keep going :)

"The victory of success is half won when one gains the habit of setting goals and achieving them. Even the most tedious chore will become endurable as you parade through each day convinced that every task, no matter how menial or boring, brings you closer to fulfilling your dreams."