If you’re like most small business owners, you have a long list of things to do every day, which makes you overwhelmed.

But there are ways to find more time and become more productive and still achieve the success you desire.

By STOP doing those activities you routinely do that do not support you, you will accomplish more every day, improve your cash flow, empower your team, and keep your sanity intact and your life balanced.

The bonus? You will be more focused, fulfilled and relaxed.

Here are 10 things you should STOP doing in your business:

1. Looking for Shortcuts to Success

If you believe success comes without a price, you’re wrong; if you believe success is easy, or can be achieved in no time, you’re wrong again. Do yourself a favor and get rid of these false beliefs and start seeing success as it actually is: a combination of hard work, commitment, consistency, time, making mistakes, bouncing up, and the list goes on.

2. Setting Unrealistic Goals

Set realistic short-term and long-term goals. Make them specific, measurable and achievable within a reasonable amount of time. 

3. Waiting for a ‘Right Time’ to Get Started

There is no perfect moment. You create your own success now, working on something in the present moment. It all starts with the first step. And step-by-step, inch-by-inch – you will achieve your success.

4. Working 24/7, 12 Months a Year

Are you always on, always working? When you own a business, you can never completely disengage. But you don’t need to do everything yourself, every day, every week. Remember, you are the most important resource of your business. So take care of yourself. Give yourself a break. Take time to think and to recreate yourself. Plan a vacation now.

5. Using Social Media as a Distraction

ALL social media platforms are designed to get you hooked and addicted. If you need to use social media for your business, then during your workday, set aside a set amount of time — let’s say 30 minutes – to manage your company’s social media presence. Otherwise, keep it off.

6. Checking Email All Day Long

Any email (or text message) can seem important, and it feels like you’re doing work when you’re going through your email backlog. But virtually every message can wait. Turn off email except to check it once or twice a day.

7. Micromanaging Your Team

To grow your business, you must learn to trust and delegate. If you hire the right people, they should be capable of doing their tasks on their own. If you want your team to perform better and own their work, give them space and work with timelines. Don’t micromanage.

8. Neglecting Your Clients

Don’t take your clients for granted. If you are too focused on attracting new customers you risk losing your existing customers. Make sure you deliver excellent customer service, and keep creating new ways for your existing clients to engage with your business and buy from you.

9. Compromising on Your Vision, Purpose and Core Values

Be flexible and adapt, and certainly keep improving how you deliver your product or service. But don’t allow your team, clients, financial hardship, or opportunity compromise your vision, core values and purpose.

10. Wanting Different Results, But not Changing Your Actions

If you’re trying to achieve something, only to fail over and over again – STOP. Stop whatever you’re doing and analyze carefully the actions you perform every day. Identify actions that are not productive, and stop doing them. Identify actions you’ve never taken that can bring you whatever result you expect, and immediately start taking action.

Now It’s YOUR Turn

For five minutes… come up with as many ideas as you can… what should you STOP doing in your business?