Busy Weeks and Summer Slowdowns

Introduction

Hey everyone, it’s George here, checking in with my latest logbook entry. This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about how tough it can be to stick to new habits without external support and how summer seems to slow everything down—especially when it comes to getting paid. With a packed week ahead, including a quarter review and several events, I’m realizing the importance of time management and the need to say "no" more often. Let me take you through my thoughts and reflections on these current challenges.

The Challenge of Building Habits

I’ve been reflecting on how hard it is to establish and maintain new habits; especially without external help, right? Over the years, I’ve realized that willpower alone isn’t enough to create lasting change. You need systems and sometimes even a teammate / partner to keep you accountable. This podcast, for example, helps me stay on track by forcing me to regularly reflect on my progress and setbacks.

Without these systems, it’s easy to lose focus and fall off track. Habit trackers and calendars help too. (Not necessarily for me, but on the other hand, what would I be without a calendar. A fairly forgetful version of myself.)

Summer Slowdowns and Cash Flow Challenges

On a different note, I’ve been working on a new app project for a few weeks now, and while it’s going well, my main focus remains the core business. However, with summer in full swing, progress on big projects has been slower than usual. What’s even more challenging during this time is managing cash flow. As someone who’s self-employed, I’ve found that getting paid during the holiday season can be incredibly difficult. (I’m in media / marketing / foto film production.) Approval processes in larger companies seem to drag on forever, which can be a real headache when you’re trying to keep things running smoothly.

Preparing for the Quarter Review

Tomorrow, we have our Quarter Review Day, a team event where we gather for breakfast and dive into discussions about the past quarter and what’s ahead. Unfortunately, the last quarter didn’t go as well as we’d hoped—sales and revenue were down, and we’ve got some major challenges to tackle in the coming months, particularly in marketing and sales. I’ve been so caught up in project work that I’ve shifted my focus away from these critical areas, which isn’t good for the business. It’s clear that I need to refocus and prioritize sales and marketing moving forward.

Reevaluating My Work Structure

Lately, I’ve also realized that I’ve been overloading myself with tasks, leading to a chaotic work structure. I’ve gained some insight into what needs to change, and I’m working on addressing those issues. One thing that might help is time blocking, a technique I’ve used before to better manage my day. If it worked for Elon, I surely am less busy … for now.
I’m also recognizing the importance of saying "no" more often, especially when opportunities don’t align with my strategy. I’ve been too friendly in these situations, and it’s time to start setting clearer boundaries.

A Packed Week Ahead

This week is going to be incredibly busy. In addition to the quarter review, I’ll be attending two local media galas, overseeing construction work at my new apartment and home office, participating in an event with potential partners, and wrapping up a big project that needs to be completed by the end of the week. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how we’re going to pull it all off, but we’ll do our best.

One of the hardest parts of being a company owner is making predictions, especially when sales are down and our work is project-based. It’s tough to predict whether the next month will be fantastic or not. But I believe that taking time to reflect on these challenges is crucial. Through reflection, we gain clarity and make better decisions moving forward.

Conclusion

As I prepare for the quarter review and everything else on my plate this week, I’m planning to take a more free-flow approach with the presentation. I’ll be giving the team a transparent look at where we stand and what we need to focus on. Sometimes, being open and straightforward is the best way to get things moving in the right direction.

That’s it for today’s logbook entry. If any of this resonates with you or if you have any questions, feel free to reach out on social media. Let’s keep the conversation going, and until next time, take care!

Georg