Priority Setting: The Urgent vs. Important Scale 

In July, we talked about 6 tips to lessen your stress as an interior designer - if you missed it, click here. 

This month, we are going to talk about the "URGENT VS. IMPORTANT" model that I use with my design team.

As you can see, there are four "quadrants", so I broke them down as to when they happen, examples of what causes then, and our goal to get out of the ones who do not feed our joy. This is a great model to use in your interior design office when focusing on productivity and efficiency! (Ditto for teaching your kids how to cut through all of the noise and get productive.)

(1) Important, Not Urgent

This is the quadrant where you get the "juice" out of your job! These are the elements that matter the most in your work and in life. This is where you are fulfilled and what provides you with happiness. This is the ACTUAL interior design work and creating those details.

In an ideal world, we would...

7 Action Items To Add To Your To-Do List

Whaaaat??? ADD items to my already full to-do list? 

YEP. That's exactly what I'm saying.

Warren Buffett once said that it is wise for investors to be “fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful."

Michelle, why are you telling us what Warren Buffett said?

I know that this crazy pandemic has made a lot of us want to curl up in a ball since the future is so unknown - but now is NOT the time for interior designers to hide under the covers and wait for things to get better...

You need to focus, get busy, and start grabbing all of the business that is out there. I promise you, it IS OUT THERE!

It might seem like (1) there is SO MUCH TO DO that you don't know where to start, but it also might feel like (2) there is nothing to do.

Either way, I've put together a list of action items that will give you a place to start!

(1) Refresh your website.

Go through each one of your website pages and look at your SEO...

Many Imagine. Few Do.

Isn't that a crock of truth? If you're like me, you've listened to all of the podcasts, read the books, reposted the inspirational quotes, and dreamed up plans to conquer the world (or at least design it). Yes, having that mindset is EXTREMELY important - but that mindset alone isn't making you money. 

The reason you make sales is because you actually followed through and DID IT. You did the work. You sat for hours working on your processes. You followed through on what those mindset books have been preaching to you. You stressed over getting it done. You did the things you didn't want to do.

Don't get me wrong, mindset is HUGE - but it was the actions you took after reading that Tony Robbins book or attended that random free webinar. 

You Have The Mindset. Now What?

Okay, if you are at the point where you've heard it all and you are officially operating (at least most of the time) with the right mindset to drive your business, here are some...

Every day is a whirlwind when you own your own interior design business.

Your "To Do" list could have legs and get a name because you carry it around like your child.

• Consultations need to be scheduled.
• Fabric needs to be pulled.
• You need to view incoming inventory.
• Your client is fighting with her husband over the living room wall color.
• You have a delivery that needs to be scheduled.
• You need to follow up to get some decisions from a client who is just too busy to meet with you.
• Bills need to be paid.
• The desk that showed up with a scratch on top needs to be returned.

You can't be in five places at once. You aren't a therapist - but it sure feels like you need one (maybe on payroll). I get it. In fact, I just stressed myself out writing that introduction.

We've all been there. Being an interior designer can be STRESSFUL. There are a thousand and one moving parts that need to be handled at once. 

Take a deep breath. INNNNNNN. OUTTTTTTTT. 

I have good news for you -...

The Power of Community in Interior Design

Being authentically YOU in everything you do is a huge foundation for attracting the clients that align with you!

Be Yourself. Seriously.

When I say be "authentically you", that goes beyond the basics - this is everything from web copy to social media posts, to your interactions with clients.

I often say that "like attracts like". When you are being authentic and real to yourself - potential clients will LOVE AND TRUST YOU FOR YOU! 

Who Do You Want To Work With?

I started my firm positioning as "glamorously functional interiors for the busy professional" but the hell if I was going to get all gussied up every day!! (FYI for those don't know me yet: I'm more comfortable in jeans + cute shoes and blouse + jacket....not so glamorous.)

Most of our clients are busy too! The mom is often busy with the kids and all of their activities while the dad is a busy professional. Our clients don't have enough time in the day to create the gorgeous home that they deserve!...

Creative Ideas to Connect with Your Clients During The Quarantine

Right now, we are all asking the question: “How do we get clients during the quarantine?!?" 

Here's a crazy idea - connect with the ones who already know and love you! 

Their vacations have been canceled and they are spending A TON of time looking around their homes realizing that the ONE SPACE you didn't design, needs some serious TLC. 

Here are a few creative ways to connect with your clients and show them how much you love them during this quarantine...

(1) DROP A GIFT

Who doesn't love a random gift? We are ALL going through some stressful situations right now and a little gift is just the thing that can brighten someone's day. 

Here are some ideas:

• A bottle of their favorite wine
• A cutting board if they like to cook
• A fun board game if they are home with the kids
• A coffee table book – leave a note on how to style it!
• A gorgeous plant – leave a note telling them which room it...

Hey hey - have you heard? I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Emi Kirschner, the founder of the Tribe of Leaders, on her podcast. It was such a fun conversation, and we talked all about processes and how they will change your business so you're running your business (instead of the other way around).

Here is what Emi said, and then click through to hear what we actually discussed. I promise it's worth your time!

"Michelle Lynne, a highly creative interior design professional. She is the owner of ML Interiors Group and the founder of Designed for the Creative Mind, a company that teaches interior designers how to run their business instead of their business running them.

Click here to listen.

"She shares valuable insights into growing a strong team and putting your business on autopilot. No matter where you are in your business, Michelle's tips will help you take the next steps to profitability and freedom."

HIGHLIGHTS

• How did Michelle got started in the design career
• ...

Why is it so dang hard for us (women in business) to ask for help? 

Mm-hm. I know you can relate. 

Seriously, we help everyone around us all the time... but when was the last time you remember asking anyone - ANYONE! - to help you? 

I totally get it, and I talked about that and more on the popular podcast Wings of Inspired Business with my friend, badass, and serial entrepreneur Melinda Wittstock.

You won't want to miss this minisode because I share my top 3 pieces of advice for women in business, and specifically, interior designers just like you. 

You'll be able to use these insights to get inspired, feel empowered, and start moving forward with your business goals TODAY.

I always love talking with Melinda, who focuses deeply on the connections between personal and business growth. As you may know very well by now and as I talk about all the time on my blog, you simply can't expect to grow your business without some major personal growth happening...

When do you know if it’s time to get a bank account for your business?

When do you know if it’s time to get a bank account for your business?  The moment you decide on opening your business, that’s when.

Once you’ve confirmed your business name, get an Employer ID number (EIN) and use that identification to open a business account (instead of your social security number).

Having your separate business banking account will make it easier to run your business.

When you are just starting your business, it might feel like it makes sense to run your transactions through your existing (personal) account, but eventually, you’ll have too many transactions to know what is coming or going. 

You can collect payments directly into your business account, and then pay your bills direct from the professional account. Managing your cash flow is much easier when the funds are not mingled.

Improve the image of your business.

When you’re in business,...