I’ve been working on content for the Art of Creative Business e-class I’m running with Brandi and I’ve been focusing on the part of a business so many people avoid: the numbers.
photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the figures as they can really get you down if you’ve been working hard but the numbers aren’t there. And because with2ns designs didn’t go as well as I had hoped I put off facing them.
But in preparing the content for the class, I decided to bite the bullet and take a look at my financial year so far. The numbers weren’t nearly as bad as I had expected. And it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.
Not only can I see on the page in front of me that my decisions are paying off but I know where I stand and what I can aim for in the future.
I suppose it’s like my dad always says “you need to have a train timetable or you wouldn’t know how late the train is”. Without knowing where you are and where you want to be, you are never going to get there.
Money is a huge part of your business, it wouldn’t be a business without it. Knowing your numbers sets you free from the uncertainty that guessing and putting it off gives you.
It’s not always easy to do, you have to overcome your fears to do it, but you never know you could surprise yourself like I did and feel the need for a happy dance.
After feeling exhausted from the long hours and 3 years without a break I’m now feeling great and ready to roll with the punches again.
It never ceases to amaze me how knowledge can change everything. Making friends with your numbers and knowing where you want to go can be a game changer.
Are you friends with your numbers? Or is it something that you put off?
If you think you’d like to become friends with your numbers and want to know how and get yourself a proper plan, go here to find all the details on our class.
My husband would most definitely give this the big thumbs up – he studied economics and he thinks it should be a mandatory subject, in the way English is. And it does kind of make sense when you look at how little understanding we all often have of the basic ins and outs of business and money and all those numbers.
I think maybe sometimes the reluctance comes not just from feeling that ‘ignorance is bliss’, but also from feeling overwhelmed. Most of us aren’t used to dealing with profit and loss statements, or maintaining business budgets, or calculating what we need to charge to cover our costs (or calculating our costs, for that matter!), so it can be a little daunting. So hurrah for blogs that talk business (like yours)!
Thanks Emily!!
I think you are so right in saying that it’s overwhelming! It really is. And so easy to put off for another day.
It is worth doing, no matter how scary, but it’s always great if you can have someone to help you. :)