Labor Day-dream: Work Less, Earn More

With Labor Day around the corner, what better time to consider laboring less and making more?

If you’re working too hard, you’re not working smart.

So many interior design professionals these days have an “around the clock” working schedule.

They’re the ones whose  “workday” never ends. They’re still going at it late into the night — and into the weekend.

How can you find time for family, friends and fun when you spend all your time working?

There’s no reason why design professionals should have to put in those kind of hours.

I know lots of designers, decorators, window fashion pros, kitchen and bath specialists, retailers and others who earn big, big money working normal hours.

Or less.

You can, too, if you manage your time more effectively.

That means focusing on the 3-5 tasks each day that are most likely to increase your profits. It means determining which of your design services will generate the most income in the least amount of time.

And it means reaching out to those clients who can most easily afford those services.

Working too hard for too little?

That, according to the Work Less, Earn More audio program,  could mean you…

Waste your time. You’re “busy,” but you’re not profitable.

Give away your time.You don’t bill for all of your time, all of the time.

Charge too little. You don’t attach enough value to what you do.

Look for love in all the wrong places. You work with clients who can’t afford to pay what you need to earn.

Don’t know your business. You’re unaware of what brings in the most money.

Don’t control your business. You’re more apt to play “Let’s Make a Deal” than say: “This is how I charge.”

Don’t delegate. You don’t call on others to do what’s too menial — or too difficult — for you.

Don’t “maximize” appointments. You’re sacrificing income by not asking enough upselling questions.

Fred Berns offers sales and marketing coaching services and products to interior design professionals.

Be Sociable, Share!

•