The Shift in Work-Life: A Guide for the Small Business Owner
If you’re like most Americans, you’ve likely experienced a shift in your work life. Many employers opted to allow employees to work from home during the pandemic, which led to an entire shift in employee mindsets. No longer are we confined to traditional work structures or 9-5 schedules. Technology has allowed us to blur the lines between our professional and personal lives, and with that comes Flexible, or Remote, Work. A Pew Research study found that in 2015, 43% of American workers reported working remotely at least some of the time. This number is only going to grow as more and more people become comfortable with the idea of working from home (or anywhere for that matter).
Or maybe you’ve found yourself unemployed due to the pandemic. Either way, working from home options have skyrocketed and many who never thought of starting their own business are knee-deep researching ways to make an income from home. I created a quick risk assessment to help you make the best possible decision for you and your family. You can download it HERE.
And, while we are at it, I wanted to share a few tips to help set you up for success on your small business journey!
Pinterest, Google, and YouTube are your Bestie!
I wish somebody would have shared this with me when I started my business. If you’re willing to learn, somebody is teaching what you need via YouTube, Pinterest, or Google.
Courses are great but, don’t feel pressured to spend money to learn when you’re starting. Simply learn how to search for the information you need. BEST PRACTICE ALERT - set a timer and stick to it. There is so much information out there it can be overwhelming. You also can end up going down rabbit holes that aren’t productive. So use a timer and get in and out to ensure your productivity stays intact.
Turn Notifications Off and Use a Special E-mail
It’s important that you own your day rather than your day owning you and one of the easiest ways to stay on track is to turn off notifications. Every time you’re interrupted it takes a solid twenty minutes to get back on track. An email comes in (ding), a text comes through (ding), an unscheduled call, etc. While it might seem like a minor thing, every single one takes you away from doing the productive work you set out to do to help build your business.
Also, learn to use a separate email for freebies, courses, and one for critical business items. Categorizing emails will save you time and allow you to schedule the appropriate amount of time for each based on which will help your business grow.
Website & Email
This is CRITICAL. Your potential clients need a place to find you, get to know you, and start to build a relationship. Your website and email are where to start because you own these platforms, unlike social media. This will ensure you have control should anything happen to social media.
This is not the time to overthink. As your business evolves, your website will evolve right alongside. So, ditch perfection and get something done that is good enough.
Taxes
Find an accountant that knows and understands small businesses. There is money to be saved and beneficial tips that a strong accountant will know. And save at least 30% of earnings for taxes. This will ensure you don’t find yourself in a pickle during tax season.
Charge What You Are Worth
This can be tricky especially when you’re building your clientele but let’s be honest, most undercharge thinking it is what needs to be done to start. Let’s not do that. Charge what you’re worth!
Ditch perfection!
Brene Brown says “Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.”
After I left my corporate career to pursue my own business I quickly learned that what served me well as an employee didn’t translate equally to the entrepreneurial space especially PERFECTIONISM.
It was super hard for me to let good enough be good enough. After 20 years of the critical corporate eye, I wanted to overproduce and work everything I got my hands on.
Entrepreneurs learn to get comfortable creating lousy work while employees are prone to perfectionism.
It makes sense if you think about it. Employees, constantly under the watchful eye of their bosses, strive for perfectionism. Worried that if they underperform, they will lose their job.
But entrepreneurs thrive on moving work and the idea that good is good enough. They have learned that putting out lousy work means that at least they're producing, and it’s better to create and fail than to not have created at all. Often some of the best lessons are in the failures.
I’m a classic perfectionist. Like, I get a stomachache thinking about messing up a project. Perfectionism can be crippling sometimes, and at least in my own life, perfectionism often manifests as an excuse for not doing something. I use to hide behind the value of perfection, as opposed to just going for it. I was the type to take tons of time researching, learning, enrolling in courses, reading books, taking notes…for months and months on end…before actually DOING anything.
Recap: Navigating the Waters of Small Business
Congratulations on your decision to embark on your small business journey! I hope these tips have been helpful and will continue to be as you navigate the waters of entrepreneurship. Remember, it’s important to always be learning and growing; don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. If you want more information or resources related to starting a business, I’ve got you covered. Download my free guide, “The BEST Business For YOU”. It covers everything from choosing the right type of business to evaluating risk and reward.
If you’re not sure if you have what it takes to FIRE YOUR BOSS, check out this quick YouTube video where I share just what it takes. Check it out HERE.
Good luck out there – may your small business dreams come true!
