How to Make Your Business Journey Easier
There’s no denying it: business is hard. But it can also be one of the most rewarding adventures of your life – and there are always ways to make it easier.
Your duties as a business owner
We all started our own business with a dream, be it:
‘To live life on my own terms’
‘Make millions and swim in a bathtub of money’
‘Have the freedom to spend more quality time with my family’
What no one tells you is how difficult the journey to success can be. As a business owner, you’re required to wear many different hats:
Marketer: There are Instagram stories, Facebook posts and blog articles to create, and speaking engagements to prepare for. And let’s not even mention the analytics that goes with it all!
Salesman: Sales funnels need to be envisioned and put into place; leads generated and potential customers/clients called, and partnerships scoped.
Accountant: All business administration, budgeting and bookkeeping responsibilities ultimately land with you. Especially come June 30 – there’s tax planning to be done to avoid any nasty surprises.
Leader: Management and communication take time not many new business owners expected. You can’t just pay staff and send them on their way – in 2020, a good leader is expected to provide quality briefs and workflow advice, ongoing support and mentorship to their team.
Strategist; After all that, you need to find the time to do your actual job – sourcing opportunities for business development and growth.
So how can you make business management easier?
1. Have a plan: Begin with a time audit and a clear idea of what your ‘ideal’ week looks like – then go about creating it. Each day, week and month should be mapped and time blocked to ensure you get everything done. That way, you know that each task can and will be done by a deadline. Plus, you’ll be completely present in meetings with clients or staff because you won’t be worrying about all the other things you need to do.
Bonus: studies have shown setting a realistic to-do list with clear priorities actually reduces your perceived stress levels.
2. Outsource where possible: There are only so many hours in the day and they have to be used effectively, or you risk burnout or disaster. Tapping into your finances to find where and how you can effectively outsource can save you stress, time and dollars in the long run, ultimately leading to additional profits.
The best bit? Services such as accounting and marketing can also be claimed on tax.
3. Hire a second brain: A quality business coach can come at problems from a different angle and may have expertise in areas that you don’t. While the buck ultimately stops with you, a problem shared is a problem halved.
As Donald Miller, author of Business made simple says ‘a meaningful life doesn't happen by accident’. A plan (and the right people in your corner) are your ticket to sanity in business.
Need a helping hand with your finances or business development plan?