Being your own boss most certainly has its perks: you can work from home (or anywhere else for that matter) and create your own working hours, you have ultimate autonomy, you can choose your teammates and you have unlimited creative freedom. You are in this line of business because you chose to be, so in most cases we can assume that you enjoy it.
Perks aside, being your own boss is however a difficult task even at the best of times. If the business fails, all of the responsibility is on you and while there are friends and networks to guide you out of the failure, no one will be as invested in your business as you are. The fear of failure can also be the source of a serious amount of pressure placed upon business owners and may eventually lead to burnout or a serious case of overworking. With both the advantages and disadvantages of owning your own business in mind, it is important to stay focused and to keep your priorities straight and stay motivated. We’ve put together a few tips on how to do exactly that:
Set Goals
One of the best things about being your own boss is that your goals are the reason behind the existence of your business. Just because you have set up your business, don’t lose sight of your goals. Making a list of mini goals that can be achieved on a daily or weekly basis – whichever works best for you – can be a great way around this. When you’ve conquered some of your goals, there is no greater feeling of achievement.
Get Help
Just because you are doing it alone, or with a small team, does not mean you should rely on zero support. There are various online networks, forums and informational articles filled with people who are probably doing exactly what you are doing. Another great source of help can be the variety of different software solutions to streamline processes like creating a newsletter, document sharing, accounting, etc. There are also a number of email and website companies like 1&1, who take care of things like online marketing, email solutions, website building and domains. Companies like these can lighten your load a lot and mean that you don’t have to spend time on the website design of your business for example, when your time would be better spent managing.
Switch Off
Despite the risks of possible failure, one of the most important things to remember is to switch off. You need your sleep, social time, family time, personal time, and fun. Take a break from your desk and your technology, and try to switch off and enjoy some quality time elsewhere. A healthy mind is key to being your own boss and having that recovery time builds up your overall resilience to the stresses of work life.
