When thinking about operations, remember every business operates — some just operate better than others. Whether your approach to operations is reactive or proactive determines how smoothly your team handles day-to-day activities as well as unexpected crises.

Spring is almost upon us, and it’s normal to feel a sense of renewal as daylight hours increase, warm weather returns, and flowers bloom. How are you channeling some of this springtime energy into positive changes for your business?

There are huge opportunities to continue to improve efficiency in the way your business operates. Yet business owners are often unable to see past the way they’ve “always done things.”

Summer is in full swing, and the sunny weather brings thoughts of vacation adventures and quality time with family. Some like to fly by the seat of their pants and not plan anything ahead of time, while others put in serious research and map out every meal and bathroom break in order to get the most out of their time away.

“To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan and not quite enough time.” – Leonard Bernstein As discussed last time, the purpose of operations is to manage the resources needed to create your company’s products and services. It involves having the systems and processes in place to deliver on the promises made to your customers in an efficient and effective manner, while providing the opportunity to scale up into new markets, thereby increasing the value of your business.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle What are Operations?

Competitiveness isn’t always the best mindset, especially if you lean toward a take-no-prisoners mentality. After all, business is not a zero-sum game — it’s infinitely expandable. When your approach is based around the paradigm that there are enough resources and successes for all to share, you can more easily see all the possible solutions regardless of the challenges you are facing.

Our days are often filled with the completion of necessary tasks. Oftentimes, you may feel stressed and busy as you try to keep up with life. As you strike items off your to-do lists, you must find ways to be productive rather than busy. If the completion of your daily tasks only results in simply maintaining you, your businesses and your family, are you truly making progress?

2020 seemed to come with built-in challenges that have easily distracted many of us from the wonderful things in life. Stress can be brought on by obstacles and change, yet this can be offset when we take time for gratitude. In my experience, it sometimes takes a conscious effort to make sure we’re not taking many of the wonderful parts of life for granted. I’m sure you have heard the phrase “Have an attitude of gratitude.” However, gratitude is something that we must practice implementing—the word “practice” refers to us taking the time to list or log the items, people, or things that we are grateful for to help us create an increasingly strong appreciation for the blessings we enjoy. This means we may sometimes forget, or feel like we aren’t “good at” gratitude; however, continuing to practice it will undoubtedly yield rewards.

What are you working on today? What will you accomplish this week or month? Who is demanding your time and attention? Are you really satisfying their requests? Why did you get out of bed this morning? Why are you the owner of your business? What is your passion and purpose? Do you remember your “Why”?

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes . . . including you.” – Anne Lamott Many business people, especially owners, consider vacations “guilty pleasures.” That’s assuming they take one at all. Vacations should be a necessity, not a luxury.