Business Spring Clean
- Mel's Marvellous Cakes
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
As someone who finds it difficult to plan, I'm putting my secret disorganisation out there for judgement and accountability! So often, I feel as though the chaos is piling up around me while on the surface I pretend to be the queen of multi-tasking. Who am I kidding! I'm not even sure how convincing I've been.
So, as a tea lover, cake lover or a fan of Mel's Marvellous Cakes, I'm hoping you can help to keep me on the straight and narrow. I've got some ideas but then I always have ideas...what I don't have is the motivation, when it's dark and grey outside, to stick to what I say I'm going to do. It's easy to stay motivated in the summer when the diary is full and the sun is shining but winter...not my season at all!
Down a rabbit scroll!
So, here goes: first thing's first. I need to be mindful about how I use my time. If you're anything like me, you will find yourself easily dragged down a scrolling rabbit hole. I admit that when I feel overwhelmed or anxious about a new project, I find myself playing games on my phone or scrolling through TikTok and Instagram videos and before I know it, it's getting dark outside and it's time to go and collect the kids from college. Catching myself before it goes too far is important. If I've got time for scrolling, I've got time for writing. There's no reason to run out of time to blog or update my website. How many times have I said there's just not enough time in the day? Well, I'm pretty sure my thief is the dreaded screen. Yes, I know that this blog is being typed on a screen too but this time I'm a creator and not a consumer. It's so important to value my time. If I use the scrolling time as relaxation, what else could I do in that time that has an actual benefit? I find that leaving my phone behind or in another room gives me time to think without pressure. I come up with my best ideas when I'm relaxed and happy.
SEO much better!
My second idea is to revisit some analysis on my copywriting and SEO on my social media and website. I’m a really terrible judge of how I appear to other people. I’ve been told many times in the past that I don’t sell my abilities very well and this has been evident in my website and in the way that I avoid talking about the attention to detail in my tea parties and my baking. My love of vintage and creating the perfect afternoon tea means that I am often drowning in ideas but struggling to focus my content where it would have the best impact. Last year I found Rachel, a copywriter with experience in search engine optimisation (SEO). She wrote me a detailed report and this week is my time to go through the report and make sure I use the suggestions. If, like me, you’re a creative rather than a natural business owner, then Rachel is the person to help you (http://www.rachelbraywriting.com).
Vintage delights!
My third and final idea for this week is to declutter and fully evaluate the props and crockery which I have collected for my business and which are scattered haphazardly around the utility room and conservatory. I’m actually quite excited about this. I’ve got a great eye for a vintage find in charity shops but I have so many that I forget what I have and I forget to use them. Plus, while my family is very tolerant, I think I owe it to them to clear space for them in some parts of the house! I’m looking forward to going through my beloved possessions to decide what is useful, what brings me joy and what has been sitting around for years waiting for its true purpose! Watch out for some of my favourite purchases on social media and feel
free to offer your ideas and judgement.
Contact us for bookings
So, there are four weeks left in January. I've deliberately left it quiet, desperately going against my instinct to fill up all my time, so that I can look in depth at what I can improve for the coming year. I've got some lovely ideas coming up on my website for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day and I'm available for tea party bookings from February. In my next blog, I'll let you know how I get on and there will be a free recipe to welcome in spring. So, whether you follow to keep me on track, offer your advice or want to book a treat for yourself, I hope to see you soon.
