Incentives work
for me.
Dangle the right carrot in front of me and I will work to create or make a project happen.
And, oddly, it's difficult for me to pull the trigger on the payoff.
F'r instance, when I applied to be a craftsperson at Pike Place Market, my incentive was to get mysef a sweatshirt from a vendor in the Market. it took me 2 years to come through on a promise I made to myself when I was just starting out in business.
"When I'm a craftsperson, I will get this for myself."
Well, I went through 2 rounds of the jury process, got accepted, got through orientation and my first day in my own stall... and then I got ... busier.

And it took me 2 years total to come through on that sweatshirt promise.
Stop me if this sounds familiar...
I kept putting other things in front of the promise I'd made; other goals became more important. . .
Until I realized that I'd never ever wait that long if I'd made the very same promise to an employee who came through on a big achievement.
Satisfaction and acknowledgement
I made good and got that sweatshirt the very next time I was in the Market. And made it a policy that a "job wasn't done until all incentives were fulfilled."
Turns out, there's satisfaction to be had - in a big way - for keeping my word especially to myself.

What are you "too busy" to come through on for your key player?
You.

There's a platter of things to do in the place of what was once your plate, Small Business Owner.
If you're feeling scattered and overwhelmed, consider the idea that reaching your audience now - in the middle of a panic - might not be the best thing for your business.
Here's how I refocus and take action once I'm aware that I'm in an unhelpful, unproductive state:
Exhale. Hard. Maybe even more than once.Press alllllll the grip of fear, anxiety and worry out of the body...
Body Basics. Take stock on some of the basics: when was the last time I had some water? Ate? Went to the bathroom? I make myself physically get up and walk to the kitchen for water and look outside as I'm drinking it. (Nope, no rolling through the condo on my wheely chair I got for efficiency's
sake.) It's time for care right now. Efficiency will come back after focus is recalibrated.
Tiny And Right
What is a (that means ONE) tiny and right action you've been meaning to do today? Writing out the list of what to do? Tweeting a compliment? Saying thank you? Creating a draft of a post? Make it a little thing.
Do it.
And then keep going....
Rinse and Repeat
Some days I cycle through these 3 things all day long. Some days not once. It's what I know I can do when I feel like I have too much to do.

 Don't Have Time?
I felt this way too. For years. It'd be days and hours I'd spend at my computer or phone....obsessively hitting the refresh key so I wouldn't "miss anything." Or, I'd be out doing loads of things without any sort of focus at all. It did't helping my own business any...but I sure knew how to spiral! And I had the furtive scamper down too. Telling ya....SKIIIILLS!~
What's True
All of my ideas and dreams are getting walked around in my body...it's critical to make time to take care of it.  My body always wins...and I get to choose what I do with it - and with my day. 
Hey! So do YOU!

PS - I used this 3-minute refocus today...and this article is now done. WooHoo!

This is my 2nd time through UnMarketing, by Scott Stratten, and I'm so enjoying it! There are 3 all-time, play-it-again social business & relationship books that are always loaded into my phone, and this is one of them.
Clever and quick, Stratten shares examples - story-style - that move right along. Like a sunny road trip where you have plenty of snacks, cold bevvies, and just the right company and number of miles to go...
Examples absolutely illustrate his points and leave little in terms of me needing to connect the dots to absorb what he's sayin' - 'ppreciate it!~
Highlights for you solopreneurs, small biz and artist folk:
Vending Artists & CraftsPeople ShoutOut
For those of you who vend in shows or sell in person, please proceed directly to Chapter 7 - Push & Pray vs. Pull and Stay. This short chapter highlights an example of what happened at a show called Art by the Lake, and what could happen to build relationships. If you have any question whether you have something to learn from this book - read short little Chapter 7 ....and then all the way through.
Chapter 17: Twitter Edu-Tainment
It's okay if you don't "get" Twitter. If you'd like to understand, or you've just completed 16...meet Chapter 17. I'm not exactly sold on Twitter to date, but I get it, and know how to apply it, use it, have a presence and be present on this channel.

You are so Invited.... to share your comments below!~
What did YOU find - in this book - that applies and serves your business and relationships?