Money isn’t your only goal or even your most important one.
Think of your business as a series of small steps that you are taking toward a specific goal. The goal may change and the steps to get there may sometimes lead you backward but having a vision of what succeeding in your business means, will help you keep focused on what you need to do to get there. Enjoying what you are doing and not just the outcome and results, makes for a higher quality business.
Keep it simple. You shouldn’t think of your business as complicated or a chore.
Sometimes people make things more complicated than they have to be and your business is the same way. By adding unnecessary chaos to the way you work, you are diverting your attention in too many directions and diluting your ability to focus on the most important items. Polish your business skills and spend your time on what will bring you the best return for your efforts.
Learn enough about each part of your business that you don’t spend your time worrying.
If your business has expanded to the point where you can no longer keep an eye on everything, or you lack the ability to make informative decisions, it may be time to go back to school and take some business classes. This is also a good time to think about bringing in a virtual team, one that can handle the extra load while keeping you informed on various aspects of your business that you don’t have the time to take care of.
Make a plan that transforms your business into a part of your life, not your life into part of your business.
Too many business owners find that their business takes over their lives. When they first started their business and enthusiasm ran high, they were able to handle everything and wanted it that way. As their business grew and the responsibilities grew along with it, they lost the incentive to blend what they wanted to do with what had to be done to keep their business going. As you reach each small goal that you strive for, step back and take the time to go over your future plans. This will ensure that you are in line with what you really want to achieve, which is a successful business that doesn’t take over your life.
Always treat yourself with respect.
Just a final reminder, that while it is your customers that keep you going, if you fail to look after yourself and treat your time and health as important, you won’t have the energy to focus on your business properly. Defining your own business success means you are in charge, you make the rules and your life benefits from your decisions.
© Chris Draper, DemGen Inc 2013
