In today’s world, the word “A-game” has become increasingly prevalent in various business circles. Although defined broadly, the term “A-game” basically references the process of consistently operating in excellence for the purpose of completing work processes with excellence and expedience.
As most home business owners know, the need for bringing your A-game doesn’t end just because the company headquarters happen to be in a finished basement. Once you learn more about how business leaders bring their A-game to work, you’ll understand how to do so for yourself in a home business setting. Below are just a few of many strategies that successful home business leaders utilize to make their companies more profitable and powerful:
1. Recognize Your Biggest Threats.
The first strategy that home business owners should utilize to ensure that they continually bring their A-game is recognizing their biggest threats and dealing with them. These threats will not be the same for everyone, but one example is the importance of avoiding alcohol dependence as an entrepreneur. The stress of running an enterprise is intense to say the least, and alcohol consumption provides an all-too-easy way to escape the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Note that alcohol addiction or relapse can impair your thinking and physical stamina, thereby compromising your ability to complete important work processes quickly and correctly. Take necessary steps to reduce or eliminate routine alcohol consumption. If this proves to be an ongoing battle, which for so many it is, business leaders need to consider further precautions against the dangers posed by heavy drinking, such as having an interlock ignition system installed in your personal vehicle. This keeps a bad habit after business hours from turning into a tragic event either affecting the rest of your life or ending it.
Another life reality that could threaten your ability to bring your A-game is financial problems. First, remember that most if not all people will experience a financial crisis or complication at some point. This can be particularly true for entrepreneurs who struggle to keep their new businesses alive and growing on minimal budgets. If you’re experiencing financial problems, make sure that you look into things like how to secure a business loan or finding a business partner whom you can share the economic burden with.
A third factor that might detract from a home business owner’s ability to work productively is family stress. Whether it’s a troubled marriage, perpetually ill child, or something else, these familial issues are distracting and enervating, especially considering you’re working from home and therefore have a hard time escaping. As such, it’s no surprise that the quality of work tends to go down when business owners have to expend energy putting out fires with loved ones. There are many ways to grapple with and reduce the experience of family stress, and one is by attaining professional counseling services. Also, note that any form of stress can be reduced through the implementation of anxiety-reducing techniques like meditation and massage.
2. Set SMART Goals.
Bringing your A-game is all about being organized and strategic with the business-building process. When you operate in this way, you get more done in less time while simultaneously avoiding the completion of tasks that do not yield substantive results such as an increase in revenue. Note that one of the best ways to operate in an organized, strategic manner is through the implementation of SMART goals. As savvy home business leaders know, goals are SMART when they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound. A sample SMART goal would be “I will hire two outsourced advertising managers to increase the company’s conversion rates by 10% each month.” Be sure to place your SMART goals in a visible place so you’re constantly thinking about what steps need to be taken to move your home-based organization forward.
3. Remember That There Is No “I” In Team!
While successful home business owners with a remote workforce recognize the importance of things like self-awareness and personal accountability, their concept of professionalism and success isn’t tied to notions of unmitigated independence and individuality. Rather, they recognize the weight of the phrase “We go farther when we go together.” Specifically, they value their co-workers, ask for their advice, and remain receptive to the fact that their individual plans and ideas may not be conducive to the completion of group goals. This type of attitude decreases virtual workplace hostility while also enhancing productivity, thereby ensuring that both the business owner and team can work well together, continually bring their A-game and get big things done.
In closing, if you want to take your home-based company to the next level of excellence this year, know that bringing your A-game is a must. Utilize the information and advice outlined above to ensure that you can!
