Hey folks, it’s Newsletter Pro CEO Shaun Buck here. We’re only a few weeks into 2021, but it’s already proving to be just as crazy as 2020. COVID-19 is still hanging around and messing up the economy. (Hopefully that will change soon.) Almost every entrepreneur I know is worried about their company’s growth, sales, and success. So today, I want to share a piece of business advice that just might turn your year around.
I give out this advice all the time, but one recent conversation stands out. A few months ago, I got a call from my friend Yamin, asking if he could come over because he needed some business help. I told him my secret at that meeting. But before I get to that, I want to share Yamin’s amazing story.
The Uber Ride That Changed Everything
Yamin was born in Burundi, a landlocked country in Africa, and he lived through unspeakable horrors. When he was a young man in his 20s, he came to America as a refugee. Yamin lived in a Motel 6 for 3 months, working multiple jobs until he could save enough money to buy a car and become an Uber driver. Then, one ride changed the trajectory of his life.
On that day, Yamin picked up a very close friend of mine. They started chatting, and Yamin shared his desire to learn how to code, develop websites, and one day become an entrepreneur. A few days later, with the help of my buddy, Yamin enrolled in a coding program.
Fast forward a bit, and 26-year-old Yamin is a student at Boise State University who was recognized by the mayor of Boise in 2019 for his accomplishments. He now has his own business building websites for other entrepreneurs. With the help of my friend, who is now his friend, he’s fulfilling his dream!
Growth During COVID-19
Today, Yamin is facing the same struggles as many other entrepreneurs. When he called me a few months ago, he wanted to find out what he could do to promote growth in his business, especially now. He asked me what to work on and how to prioritize his day. I told him my answer, and I’m going to tell you too. But first, I want you to pause for a second. Get ready to really take it in.
The funny thing about the advice I gave Yamin is that I’ve told the same thing to literally thousands of people over the years. I’ve shared it in different ways through different mediums, but the advice is still the same and works to build growth, just like it always has. Unfortunately, people don’t always listen.
The problem is that my answer is not complicated or shiny. It’s foundational advice you can build and grow your business on. It’s a process you should not deviate from. If anything, this should make it easy to listen to! But one thing I’ve noticed about many Americans (including myself) is that if advice seems too easy, people assume it won’t work.
People tend to brush off this advice and pretend they already do it. But Yamin didn’t just nod along. He started taking notes. I guarantee he acted on that advice the second we stopped talking and began to incorporate it into his daily routine. I hope you do the same thing. Now, let’s jump into the big reveal.
The Secret To Moving Forward
Okay, here it is. To boost your business growth, make more sales, and find more success, you need to do one thing. Every day, ask yourself this question: “What is the most important thing I can do to move my business forward?”
It’s really that simple. The funny thing is that very few people do it, and they lose days of their valuable time as a result. Too many people focus on what they want to do or on the fire right in front of them. They allow the priorities of others to dictate what they do with their time. But that’s not a smart way to do business. Instead, wake up every day and focus on what you need to do for your company’s growth. Get your priorities straight.
How To Get Started
Once you know what needs to be done, the question changes: “How many of these tasks that will move me forward can I get done in a day, a week, or a month?”
It’s time to open your mind to the possibilities. Most people are working 8 hours a day. What if you worked 16 hours a day? You’d be working double what everyone else is in a week. What if you also worked 16-hour days on the weekend? You’d be working nearly three times what a high performer is working in any given week. Your motivation, passion, and endurance are your only limits.
Starting on about March 14, 2020, I worked 18–20 hours a day, 7 days a week, for a month to navigate my company through COVID-19. I didn’t just want Newsletter Pro to survive. I wanted to put us in a position to thrive when we emerged from the pandemic. That means out-working, out-thinking, and out-hustling everyone else, which I did and am still doing.
Here’s the bottom line: If you want to bring growth to your business, boost your sales, and find success, then you have to be willing to fight for your dreams. You have to be willing to work hard for your dreams. And you have to be willing to put it all on the line to achieve your dreams.
You can do anything you want, including surviving this pandemic and coming out of it stronger. The question is how badly do you want that growth? What sacrifices are you willing to make? Don’t write this idea off as too simple. Instead, be like Yamin. Make asking yourself this question a part of your daily routine.
