This blog shares ways to build a successful LNC business. Do not try to implement ALL of these at once – you’ll get stressed out! Instead, browse through these ideas, choose the ones that sound most interesting OR the ones that are easiest to do, and jump right in.
Get creative. Your LNC business is unique because YOU are unique. Show that authenticity to your prospects and attorney clients and they will flock to you, especially if you can deliver what they need.
These ideas will help you develop ways to grow your business as well as take care of yourself and create new, productive habits.
Successful LNC Business Ideas
Change Your Habits
We all have some bad habits, from biting our nails to watching too much TV. But which of these bad habits are affecting your business? It’s time to acknowledge them and make small, consistent changes so you can focus more on growing your business.
Everyone is pressed for time every day, but the book Atomic Habits teaches how to create new habits in as little as a few minutes each day. The theory is easy to implement – simply do something little for a minute or two each day. Over time, you won’t have to think about this simple change anymore as it will be a new habit. Plus you’ll have more positive habits than bad ones and you’ll notice a change in your attitude and business acumen.
Take a Mental Health Day as Needed
Mental health is an important topic but not just for those with a specific diagnosis. Sometimes the stress of running your own LNC business becomes too much and you’ll suffer from illness, fatigue, headaches, or will simply want to throw in the towel.
Instead of becoming a slave to your business, learn to take time off as you need it, to simply recharge your brain, and to find joy in life again. No matter how you envision your day off, taking time for YOU is vital. Remember that airplane safety reminder: Put the mask on yourself first before helping others. In this case, take time off for yourself so you can better run your business and serve your clients.
Challenge Yourself
Certainly, you’ve heard the definition of insanity – doing the same thing over and over yet expecting different results. When you are safe, and do not take risks, you know the routine and you’re somewhat happy with the results. You don’t face risks inside your comfort zone. This safe space is what makes it easy and enjoyable to work.
But are you experiencing the business growth you want inside your comfort zone? Are you attracting new clients? Are you selling enough of your services? If the answer is no to any of these questions, then you need to mix things up and step outside that comfort zone.
Maybe that means trying a new marketing tactic. Or perhaps you need to re-engage with your social media followers. Maybe you need to reach out and network not just online, but in-person conferences. Sometimes you just need to take a risk to know if it’s the right choice for your business and for you.
Embrace Good Health
Taking care of your mental health and your physical health is equally important. Many LNCs live a very sedentary lifestyle being at the computer all day or serving clients. But we all know that a sedentary lifestyle can lead to terrible illnesses and diseases, some of which can be life-threatening.
Going back to our small habits, start small by making these changes. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere, even if you work at home. Make sure that the bottle is within reach so you’re not searching for juice, seltzer, coffee, or soda. Next, schedule break times so you can take a walk outside, do some sit-ups or pushups, or do some simple yoga poses.
Wake Up 20 Minutes Earlier
Plan to make your morning routine less chaotic. The easiest way is to wake up 20 minutes earlier and swear off hitting that snooze button. Just think how much you could accomplish in that 20 minutes!
The key is to NOT pick up your phone to scroll Facebook, read the news, or to play games. You’re aiming to create productive habits, so doing a simple exercise, making your coffee, journaling, eating breakfast, or reading a spiritual or personal development book are wise choices. Even if you jumped in the shower 20 minutes earlier you could enjoy it more than racing to beat the clock.
Go to Bed Earlier
On the flip side of waking up earlier, how about you go to bed earlier and aim to sleep for 8 hours each night? We often think of babies and toddlers needing so much sleep but the same is true for adults. Research has shown that adults benefit the most from 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.
What keeps you up til the late hours anyway? Are you watching mindless TV? Catching up on work? Snuggling with your significant other? You can still do those things, just aim to do them earlier in the evening.
Unplug for an Entire Weekend
When was the last time you truly unplugged from work? Can you go for a whole evening without checking your phone?
If unplugging for a whole weekend gives you sweaty palms, start by keeping the phone and computer turned off after business hours. Be present with your family or friends after hours. Pick up an old hobby. Go to the gym. Partaking in whatever activity gives you joy and a sense of calm after work. The same problems will be there when you wake up in the morning. The difference, however, is you’ll be less stressed and better able to think up solutions after an evening or weekend without work.
Listen to Inspirational or Funny Podcasts
If your calendar is so jam-packed that you can’t find time to read business articles or personal development topics, consider downloading some podcasts to listen to while driving, at the gym, or doing yard work.
Podcasts are portable and come in all different genres, so you’ll have a wide range of titles to choose from. Ask friends for recommendations or simply browse through the categories on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. And if you need a complete break from anything business, look for podcasts related to your favorite sport or team, politics, comedy, inspiration, faith, or anything in between.
Combat Stress by Combining Nature and Health
When stress takes hold of your body, the best way to dispel it is to move your body. Sitting still and worrying tends to make matters worse, with your brain going into overdrive and thinking of the worst possible scenario.
Many intuitive leaders also believe that being outside helps one stay grounded in the earth, which helps alleviate stress and worry. What better way to eliminate stress while taking care of your body than to combine nature and health into a fun activity that will take your mind away from work?
STOP Hiding in the Shadows and Promote Yourself
Ah, the safety of the computer keyboard! I’ll admit it’s easy to do your work, put up a few social posts, and then settle back in to do more work in your cozy office. But is that really growing your business? Are you the face of your business? When was the last time you really engaged with your audience? Does your audience know what you do?
Come out of the shadows and introduce yourself. Use your social posts for more than sharing random articles. It’s completely fine to promote your stuff! Mix in some questions and go out of your way to comment on other people’s posts but social media is meant to be SOCIAL – it’s not meant to schedule everything and then hope for results.
Deliver What You Promise
No matter what you’re delivering always be clear on what you’re promising and follow through. Clients who leave feeling like they were ripped off will not speak kindly of you.
When in doubt, overdeliver. You’ll ruin your credibility. Deliver enough so your customers tell their experience working with you in a professional way.
Ask for Referrals and Testimonials
Before you make an online purchase, do you look for reviews of the product? Most people want some reassurance that they won’t fall victim to a scam and that the product will do what it says in the description.
Testimonials do the same for those who offer services. Your current and former clients will be your best advocates because they have experienced your work style. They can provide details and explain how you helped them. Their stories will help convince prospects that you are the best person to help.
Create a Vision Board
Your business can’t grow unless you have specific goals in mind. Where do you want to be in 5 years? What’s your mission? What type of lifestyle do you want to live? These types of questions are typical goals many add to vision boards, which are a visual representation of what they want out of life.
Use online photos or magazine photos to create a board that speaks to you. Hang it in a prominent place in your office to remind yourself of WHY you work so hard every day. Make it a piece of art and hang it prominently instead of hiding it inside a drawer. Understanding your goals and what you want out of life will motivate you to work harder.
Create a Mindmap
Another way to visually represent your business goals and vision is to create a mindmap. Instead of using photos, mindmaps use simple bubbles or other shapes to connect your business goals with specific ideas or milestones. This representation shows how each of your goals are connected and how your business can grow as a result of meeting these goals.
Mindmaps are also more specific, with each product title/idea laid out and linked to a specific milestone. If you prefer more detailed info, use a mind map. If you like a more general representation of your desired life, use a vision board. There’s no right or wrong. Choose the one that inspires you the most.
STOP Making Excuses or Playing the Blame Game
Read any news story these days and you’ll notice that personal responsibility is severely lacking in society. It’s always someone else’s fault. Rarely does the story portray someone who admits that they were in the wrong.
Don’t excuses for why things don’t work or why your business isn’t bigger than someone else’s business. Stop for a moment and take responsibility for the decision you have made. Unless you have a business partner who is a bully, you are solely responsible for your business success – or lack thereof.
It’s not time for a pity party. It’s time to regroup, learn from mistakes, and start making different decisions. Test out new marketing tactics and track the responses you receive. You might be surprised at how people respond and that could make you excited about your business again.
Freedom is being able to take your business in new directions. You don’t need permission or approval. Simply test new strategies and track those results. In the meantime, take care of yourself because a healthy and joy-filled leader will make better decisions and will take the calculated risks necessary to grow their business.
Finally, take a long-term view. Where do you want to be in ten, in twenty years? Do you want to get a gold watch and a pension? Or do you want the satisfaction of having created a thriving business? Neither of these answers is wrong.
Creating an LNC Business? My book, Be the Boss of Your Own Business is the perfect book to set your LNC business up the right way to approach the starting or growing phase of your LNC business. Grab your copy today and be ready to take notes.
Pat Iyer is president of The Pat Iyer Group, which develops resources to assist LNCs in obtaining more clients, making more money, and achieving their business goals and dreams.
Pat’s related websites include the continuing education provided on LNCEU.com, the podcasts broadcast at podcast.legalnursebusiness.com, and writing tips supplied at patiyer.com.
Get all of Pat’s content in one place by downloading the mobile app, Expert Edu at www.legalnursebusiness.com/expertedu. Watch videos, listen to podcasts, read blogs, watch online courses and training, and more.