If you are a business owner, fine tuning is always helpful. It is easy to get stuck into the grind of it all. I know that I often get so immersed in the day to day of operating, making sure my software is updated, returning calls, networking, etc. I oftentimes get so wrapped up, I fail to think about my company as an outsider. Where I want it to go and what my part is in moving it in that direction.
Brain Space
When I am in “tactical mode,” helping customers with their business processes, I have difficulties thinking big picture on ideas for my company. And being in innovation and looking for “that special” thing for someone else, there is never a shortage of new technology to try out or learn about. That part of my brain is always RED HOT, it is easy because I am in it all the time. I am no neuroscientist but I would venture to guess that my PLANNING part of my brain is different than my tactical part (and I am not even going to bother googling it.)
As a Marketer at heart, (been at it in one way or another for 30 odd years – yikes!). I love planning. Planning allows for contemplation of what has happened (or what we did), what we think is going to happen and what we plan to make the best of it. It also is the place in the company that gets everyone together to decide “What” and “Who” we are as a company and “What we WANT to be?” Those things don’t happen in Accounting, Sales or HR they happen in Marketing.
Thinking Differently
I am fortunate that I teach Social Media as well as Marketing at Husson University at the New England School of Communications. I say that I am fortunate because for about 30 weeks a year I get to teach courses on things that Marketing people need to be doing at their companies. Sure I may have to pick up the mail and make a bank deposit, follow up on Sales calls or client requests, but I am constantly reminded of what needs to happen in Marketing. That I need to stay connected to that world, to the media in person, on air or through social media. There are a host of other things that I am reminded to do, because I teach these courses and the feedback from the students is priceless and very helpful to me.
Volunteer
It is possible there may be a way that you may be able to do some work that puts “Planning” on your calendar. Maybe Junior Achievement, Adult Ed, Brownies or Cub Scouts- anything that makes you prepare a presentation of some type that gets you from thinking about your day to day and more into your “Day After Tomorrow.”
*thank you Creative Commons and Apple for the use of their image.