We all know what it’s like; you’ve got a big job that needs doing but you keep putting it off and putting it off until the very last moment, and then have to rush to get it done. If you’re a business leader, the sheer quantity of other things requiring your attention day-to-day makes it even harder to concentrate on those big important jobs that need doing.
Instead of getting stressed about all the tasks that you still haven’t got round to, how about doing something about it? One highly effective thing you can do to help is to join a business peer group.
Here are three ways joining a peer group can help:
Shared accountability
By discussing the tasks that you have to do with the other members of your group, and committing to doing them in front of your peers, you become accountable to them. Even by itself this a significant psychological aid to stop procrastinating and start getting things done. However, it also allows your fellow group members to check in with you to see how the task is going, and help spur you into action if you’re starting to lag behind.
Encouragement
This doesn’t mean that the only thing your peers can do to help is nag you into doing your tasks. They will also be a great source of encouragement, support and advice, helping you overcome any challenges that prevent you from progressing with your job, and suggesting ways of getting things done more easily, quickly or efficiently, based on their own experience of similar tasks.
Motivation
All this adds up to a huge boost in motivation. It’s all too easy to avoid doing a job that you think will be long or arduous, but by knowing that you’re accountable to your group mates to get it done, and with the encouragement, advice and support that they will provide, you will find it much easier to make the time to finish the big tasks, and avoid being distracted by the many lesser things demanding your attention.
And remember, while you are reaping these benefits yourself, as part of a peer group you will also be providing the same benefits for the other members. You can help hold your group-mates accountable, provide support and advice based on your own successes, and keep them motivated when the jobs they have to complete seem overwhelming. This alone is extremely rewarding.
This Summer, join Peer Networks, a national peer-to-peer networking programme for SME business leaders that want to grow and develop their organisation for future success.
Managed locally by SEMLEP’s Growth Hub, get together with fellow business owner-managers from across Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire to collaboratively work through your common business issues.
The number of places on the programme are limited, so sign up as soon as possible to guarantee your place.
You can register your interest in the Peer Networks programme here. A representative of SEMLEP’s Growth Hub will then be in touch to discuss further details about your eligibility, the cohorts and start dates.
There are some eligibility criteria that must be met in order to join the Peer Networks programme: Businesses should have operated for at least one year with a turnover of at least £100,000, have 5 or more employees and have an aspiration to improve. If you’re not eligible, please contact our team of dedicated Business Advisers to find out about the other ways in which we can support your business.
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