6 Tips for Success as an Entrepreneur

So you’ve finally decided to pursue your dream and set out on your own as an entrepreneur. Awesome! Turning your passion into a business can be exciting, liberating, and fulfilling, but it can also be intimidating. How do you navigate all this newfound freedom and stay on track toward your goals? 

Knowing how to manage your schedule as an entrepreneur is critical to running a successful business. Motivation and discipline are key. Remember these 6 tips to keep you motivated and on the road to success.

Show Up: Make a Schedule and Stick to It

Show up for the “job” every day — set certain working hours and stick to that schedule. Even if you’re not feeling particularly motivated that day, just do SOMETHING — even if it’s just that paperwork you’ve been putting off. This will help you stay committed to your dream, and ensure you continue moving forward.

Set Aside a Designated Workspace

It is important to set the right mood for work and keep all work-related materials organized in one spot. Set up a designated office space in your home or studio. It will be easier to stay focused if you have a place to “go to work” every day. 

Bring your personality to the space! Unlike your old office job, you’re now free to decorate to your heart’s content. Make the space really YOU — a place that you’re excited to go to every day where you can work comfortably and efficiently.

Set Goals and Deadlines

Plan out your work. Create daily to-do lists, and set checkpoints and deadlines on longer projects. Setting these deadlines will help you stay on track and keep you accountable for your work.

Need a little help managing your time and staying organized? Apps like Trello, Airtable, Monday.com, and Evernote can help you keep track of your daily tasks, as well as map out more complex projects.

More of a pen and paper kind of person? Look online or shop your local bookstore for a good planner to keep track of important dates and deadlines. You can also look online for planning or brainstorming worksheets to help you focus your ideas. Or make your own! This way you can truly personalize it to your needs.

Make Time to Refresh

Schedule plenty of time for healthy meals, adequate sleep, exercise, quality time with family, or just watching your favorite Netflix show. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and balancing your work and free time is vital to reducing stress and avoiding burnout. Check out this article on the importance of exercise on productivity.

If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed or stuck, just step away from your work for a moment…take a walk, brew some tea, cuddle your pet…whatever you do to unwind. Then come back to your work refreshed, energized, and ready to create magic.

Find a Mentor or Join an Organization

Treading unfamiliar territory can be daunting without supervisors or coworkers around to help. To fill this void, look for a mentor in the same industry or join an industry organization. 

Many industries have formal organizations with membership fees, but you can also find free groups on LinkedIn or Facebook. These groups will provide you with valuable resources and a community of colleagues that you may miss when no longer working for a larger company.

Let Others Help You When You Need It

There are so many aspects to running a business, and sometimes it’s impossible for one person to do it all. Consider hiring a freelancer for tasks you don’t have time for or are not part of your skillset. Not only would you be getting the help you need, but you would also be supporting a fellow entrepreneur. Websites like Upwork and Fiverr can help you find quality freelancers at a price range that works for you.

Need help marketing your business on social media? A well-maintained social media presence can bring awareness to your business and help drive sales. My Pocket Partner wants to make it easier for you by taking on your workload so you can get back to growing your business. If you have more questions on what we can do to help your business, email us at info@mypocketpartner.com for customized solutions.