Continuous Progress Is The Ultimate Game Plan!

Super Bowl LVIII will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas tonight. The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers are putting in work and preparing to hoist the Lombardi trophy. And when the smoke clears… the work will begin again.

There are 53 players on the Super Bowl champion roster. There are 53 players on the losing team’s roster. There are 1590 players in the league that didn’t make it to the Super Bowl.

Tomorrow? The whole league is undefeated again.

This relentless cycle of competition, victory, and defeat mirrors the journey of small business owners and solopreneurs like you. Whether in the glow of triumph or the shadow of setback, the essential task remains the same: to learn, to prepare, and to face the next challenge with unwavering determination.

The off-season for players is a myth; it's a time of intense preparation, strategy refinement, and skill enhancement. Continuous progress and improvement is their ultimate game plan. We can learn from them and do the same!

As we watch the Super Bowl tonight, let's draw inspiration from the dedication, teamwork, and perseverance displayed on the field. Whether today marks a victory or a defeat for you, know that tomorrow offers a clean slate, a fresh start, and an undefeated record. Embrace the challenge, prepare diligently, and march towards your next goal with confidence.

Share your next goal with me by joining our community and making a post!

This week your main quest is to look at your “Tech Stack” and make some choices about how you can improve it to help reduce your overhead costs and enhance your efficiency.

Now, you might be scratching your head, wondering, "Steve, what on earth is a Tech Stack?"

Fear not! I’ve got you!

A Tech Stack It's the blend of technologies—programming languages, frameworks, and software—that work in unison to breathe life into software applications and websites.

Imagine building a house. You need a foundation, walls, a roof, windows, etc. Similarly, a tech stack is the combination of technologies (programming languages, frameworks, software) used to build and run a software application or website.

But here's the twist: We may not be building software or websites, but we have our own tech stacks, too.

• We have websites.

• We have social media accounts.

• We have computers, laptops, tablets, and phones.

• We have apps that we use to create and communicate.

When these elements align, they forge a mighty force, propelling our ventures beyond the horizons of possibility.

Yet, this symphony of digital and physical assets doesn't orchestrate itself. It demands our vigilant oversight to ensure each note hits perfectly, harmonizing our tools in a concert that truly amplifies our business's growth.

I’ll use myself as an example. This past week I found out that the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription I pay for to help edit video and audio had recently added a function that duplicated a service that I paid $30 a month for! (And that other service was not as good.)

This strategic pivot not only saved me an extra $15 monthly but also supercharged my Tech Stack, unlocking new powers and potential.

This story shines a light on the importance of always improving our tech tools. This week, take a close look at your Tech Stack to find ways to make it better, faster, and stronger. Every change, even the tiny ones, builds a stronger base for your business to grow and innovate.

Get ready, everyone, because we're starting our journey to make our businesses more efficient and powerful today!

Once you’ve completed your Main Quest share it with our community! Post your results in the Side Quest Solutions Facebook Group with the hashtag #MainQuestComplete!

All of my newsletter graphics are created in Canva. It’s an amazing tool.

Are you seeking a supportive space to share experiences, gain insights, and tackle challenges together?

Look no further! Our Side Quest Solutions Community on Facebook is your go-to hub.

It's more than just a group; it's a vibrant community where you can share struggles, exchange expertise, and seek answers to your burning questions.

Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, engage in meaningful conversations, and grow together. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of a community that's as passionate about business success as you are. Join us now! 💼🚀🤝 

Your Side Quest this week is going to help make your Main Quest easier - it’s time to identify your tools and make yourself a spreadsheet!

That’s right. It’s time to audit your Tech Stack.

Yes. It’s boring. Sigh at me and throw your phone down. It’s fine. Give yourself a minute and come back.

You back? Ok good. This isn’t going to be as hard as you think it will be. And it will pay off in the long run.

The steps are as follows:

1. Open up your spreadsheet tool of choice (Google Sheets is free) and create a new sheet.

2. In Column A you’re going to enter the names of all of the tools you use for your business. Be thorough, but don’t forget that you can update this over time as you remember things. Include your computer, your phone, Social media accounts— any tech you regularly use to execute your business.

3. In Column B I want you to write in simple words what you use it for. Don’t overthink this either.

4. In Column C list how much you pay monthly.

5. In Column D list the URL for the service (if applicable)

Don’t worry I started some of my homework too!

You can expand on that over time if you want, but even a simple list like this will help remind you what services you have and what they are for.

This way if a service gets too expensive or stops working (which is very common), then you’ll know what you should look for to replace it! (it’ll also make sure you don’t misplace your expenses come tax time!)

This week’s Tech to Try is Buffer! This is a super simple social media scheduling tool with a lot of great features.

Your time is precious. Buffer simplifies your social media management, giving you back hours each week. Schedule posts across multiple platforms in advance, freeing you to engage with customers and focus on growing your business. With easy collaboration tools, Buffer even lets you streamline teamwork if you have employees or contractors helping with social media.

Below are seven ideas for social media posts appropriate for Valentine’s Day! These are written to be generic. Adapt them! Use them word for word! Go wild!

Celebrating Love and Community: "This Valentine's Day, let's celebrate love in all its forms! 💖 Whether it's a treat for someone special, a gesture of kindness to a friend, or a thank you to our amazing community, we're here to help you make it memorable. #LoveLocal #CommunityLove"

Valentine’s Special Offer: "Love is in the air, and so are our Valentine's Day specials! ❤️🎉 From [insert date] to [insert date], enjoy exclusive deals that we've put together just for you. Perfect for gifting or treating yourself—because you deserve it! #ValentinesSpecial #LoveIsInTheAir"

Gift Ideas Galore: "Stuck on what to get your Valentine? 🎁💡 Look no further! We've got a range of [products/services] that make the perfect gift. Come in and find something special that says 'I love you' in the best way. #ValentinesGiftIdeas #SayItWithLove"

Spread the Love: "This Valentine’s Day, let’s spread love and positivity far and wide! 💕 Share a photo of [a product/service] you love from our store and tag us. We'll feature our favorites! Let's create a wave of love and appreciation. #SpreadTheLove #ValentinesDay2024"

Thank You for Your Love: "We're feeling the love this Valentine's Day and wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all our wonderful customers. Your support means the world to us. ❤️ Here's to continuing to serve you with love and dedication. #Thankful #CustomerLove"

Valentine’s Day Contest: "Valentine’s Day Giveaway! 🎉 Win a special [product/service] for you and your loved one. To enter, like this post, follow us, and tag your Valentine in the comments. Winner announced on [insert date]. Let the love games begin! #ValentinesDayGiveaway #WinWithLove"

Share Your Story: "Love stories, friend stories, self-love stories—we want to hear them all this Valentine's Day! 💬 Share your story in the comments or message us directly. Let's fill our feed with tales of love, friendship, and everything in between. #LoveStories #ValentinesDay"