Practical business things to take care of

You have a life right now with a certain rhythm, and it’s going to change soon.
The business you’re building needs to enter a period of rest, and for that, preparation is needed.

It’s time to get very practical and help you prepare for maternity leave properly.

There are 5 things to figure out and do to make the transition into parenthood smooth and easy, while knowing your business will be fine when you’re on leave.

1. WRITE DOWN THE ‘MUST KNOW’

Since you are the boss, you decide your leave of absence. Set the stats.

Write the following things down:

• Due date
• Intended last workday
• Duration of leave
• Intended first workday after leave

2. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS FOR A THOROUGH PREP

Knowing the answers to these questions will give you peace of mind and a clear idea of what still needs to be done.

• The number of weeks of maternity leave will determine how many weeks you have to plan and work ahead. What’s the number in your case? (Make sure to build in some slack—like 2 extra weeks—for your first few weeks back at work.)
• What goals MUST be met within the weeks that you'll be on leave? How will you reach them? Make a plan and execute it in time. (example: The goal is to send a monthly newsletter → plan 6 newsletters. Or the goal is to have projects lined up adding up to 10K for when you’re back→ contact 5 warm prospects)
  
  How are you going to do that? Automate? Delegate? Schedule?
• What activities MUST go on within the weeks that you’ll be on leave? For example, posting on social media, check-in calls with clients, shipping orders, etc.
  
  → How will you manage that? Automate, delegate, schedule?
  → Is there anything you can put on hold?
• Did you inform all of your clients about your pregnancy and period of leave?
  → Yes? Will you work ahead for them, pause activities, or pass the work on to a partner?

3. ACTION STEPS

Based on the questions above, make your game plan.

• Create your to-do list
• Prioritize the tasks on your to-do list

→ How to do that?

First, divide all tasks into ‘need to be done’ and ‘nice to have done.’

Then, look at your ‘need to be done’ and start prioritizing the tasks. Use the 80/20 rule to determine what goes on top of your list. What needs 20% of your time but will have an 80% impact?

4. DO IT

Schedule the time to finish your to-do list and prepare for your leave. Start on time. Think of tasks like:

• Client work
• Hitting that revenue goal
• Prep for the first weeks when the baby has arrived, like meals, chorus, etc.
• Auto reply email
• Marketing & Sales
• Hiring a VA to help you out
• Automation
• Etc.

5. SURRENDER YOUR BUSINESS TO GOD

When you’ve done all the preparation and that 36-week—or 37, 38 benchmark—is approaching, it’s time to let go.

At some point, you have to stop. It can be tempting to go on and on as long as the baby is in your belly, but you also need to mentally prepare for your new child and let your mind ease into a restful state.

My advice is to start praying affirmations over your business during prepping and after to build confidence and declare that everything is going to be fine, thanks to God. Learn to surrender and trust our heavenly Father in business and birth.

You can create your affirmations or use these:

1. God is my provider. He will take care of my business while I take care of the baby He gave me (Philippians 4:19).
2. God wants me to prosper. As a parent and as a business owner (Jeremiah 29:11).
3. I do not have to worry. God takes care of the birds; how much more will He take care of me? (Matthew 6:26)

Dear (soon-to-be) mommy (or daddy), you’ve made it to the end. You’ve finished this plan. I pray it blesses your preparation and the new life that will be added to your family. You are destined to be a parent, and you are loved and backed up by the Best of the Best.

Warm greetings,
Jane

Reflection

What of this practical list needs the most of your attention?

Action

Decide what preparations you need to make and plan time for it in your calendar right after you finish this plan.

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