Are You Holding Yourself Back?

Be a Better Boss to Yourself

Running a own small business can be an exciting undertaking. Doing something you are truly passionate about on your own terms, leaving behind the 9-to-5 grind and being the boss paint an appealing picture of being a business owner. Truth is, many small business owners are overworked, overly stressed, and grossly underpaid for the amount of time and effort they put into running the company. Here are some tips to help be a better boss to you and enjoy owning and running a small business.

Investing in Yourself Helps You Do a Better Job and Improve Business

Successful business owners are constantly learning new skills, methods, and theories that help them become better entrepreneurs and better people. Many small business owners skip signing up for and participating in conferences, classes, and seminars to save money or because they believe they do not have the extra time. It is important to recognize the importance of continual learning and set aside time and funds for events like these – chances are the direct competitors are participating and it is important to stay in step with them. Conferences in particular are not just a great learning experience, but a great place to network with other professionals and even potential clients.

Secure a Great Healthcare Package

When you leave to corporate world behind to start your own business, it can be a liberating experience. One of the downsides, however, is that you lose healthcare coverage and other benefits that come along with working for an organization. When it comes to choosing healthcare, make a list of the things you need and want and talk over options with an insurance broker. Small business owners may be hesitant to hold up funds in something such as health insurance but self-employed individuals need health insurance just as much as a 9-to-5 professional. Also, look into different retirement options to help begin saving for the future.

Make Sure to Reward Yourself

Great moments are always celebrated in an office setting whether it is landing a big account, meeting a sales goal, or a recognizing a promotion. It is important to celebrate these moments as a business owner as well and give yourself credit for all the hard work that is done every day. A reward for doing something great can be as big or as small as you want, as long as it is in the budget – whether it be a large purchase or a night off from the laptop and phone, taking the time to recognize a big moment is important. Plus, it always feels good to give yourself a pat on the back once and a while.

Running a small business is no small task – when all the weight of ensuring the business’s success lies on the owner’s shoulders it can be a stressful and tiring experience. By investing in further training, securing a healthcare package, and making sure to reward your great accomplishments, you can be one step closer to being a better boss to yourself. When you open a small business, there is no longer a boss to recognize great work so make sure to reward yourself to help keep you inspired and motivated.

Are you ready to break out on your own and start your own small business venture? If you would like a small business mentor to help ensure your success, Stacy O'Quinn would love to help  you! For more information about Stacy, his opportunity, and how he can help you, click here.

Finding the Money to Start Your Own Small Business

How to Build Funds and Start a Business Venture

Starting your own business is a dream that many people hold in common – doing something you are passionate about on your own terms is alluring. Unfortunately, many people lack the financial backing they need to begin this venture and this can hold them back from achieving their dreams. There are, however, ways to build the funds required to start a small business without having to win the lottery.

Sell Unneeded and Unwanted Items

Instead of hauling unneeded or unwanted items to the dumpster or giving them away to family and friends, think about having a yard sale. This is a great way to start building funds while decreasing clutter in your home.  Small items such as clothing, toys, and household gadgets only go for pennies on the dollar, but it is surprising how quickly that money will accumulate! If there are larger, more unique pieces such as furniture, family heirlooms, or jewelry, try selling these items online or to specialty stores.

Cut Back on Unnecessary Spending

Another simple way to help build funds is by looking at overall household spending. Discretionary spending, such as going to out to eat, cleaning services and lawn care can easily be cut from your budget helping to save hundreds of dollars a month! Having friends and family over for a cookout is definitely less expensive than going to a restaurant, and getting outside to mow the lawn or cut the hedges is not just good for saving money but also getting outside and spending time with friends and loved ones.

Start a Savings Jar

Many people abandon the idea of using a piggy bank once they become an adult, but this is actually a great way to take small amounts of money and pull them together for larger purchases. Grab an empty mason jar or coffee can and start adding coins and dollars to it every day. Whatever money is found in the washing machine, couch cushions, or in pockets after running errands should go into the jar – although it may not seem like a lot, all that leftover change adds up!

Finances and lack of funding should never hold anyone back from achieving their dreams. By doing small things like cutting back on monthly spending, having a yard sale, and collecting coin, having the money needed to start a small business can become possible. So clean out those couch cushions and dust off the old records for your yard sale – this can be the key to beginning your business venture!

Once you get your money together, it may be time to use a small business mentor to help you get your plan together. Stacy O'Quinn has learned from the best and now he wants to share that knowledge with you! To contact Stacy, click here.

*Photo Courtesy of Allison.Johnston via Creative Commons License

Creating Balance is Key to Work from Home Success

Tips for Creating the Perfect Work-Life Balance

Work-from-home professionals face a unique challenge when it comes to creating balance – separating work time from home time is hard when your work is in your home! A good work-life balance is important for any business professional, but keeping this balance in check when working from home can be difficult but possible. Here are some tips to keep work life and family life in balance when working out of a home office.

Creating a Defined Work Space in the Home is Important

One of the first steps to creating and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is defining a workspace. Whether this space in an entire room or just a desk in the dining room, even more important than defining the space is keeping it strictly an area where business gets accomplished. Make sure to eliminate any personal clutter such as bills or mail and only use that area for working – personal items of this nature can be extremely distracting and will continue to blur the lines between “work” and “home.”

Keep Strict, Consistent Working Hours

Setting work hours is also essential in creating a good balance when working from a home office. Set hours are a great way to define boundaries for when clients can and cannot contact you and allows for time throughout the week for family. Setting up automatic replies outside of working hours helps minimize interruptions during family time, and letting loved ones know no to disturb excessively during working hours can help allow for more productivity with work.

Enjoy Family Time!

Just like 9 to 5 business professionals enjoy weekends off, so should work-from-home professionals. Although the temptation to work during this time will always be there, it is important to remember that personal time is just as important as work. If powering down the computer and cell phone is what needs to be done to help stay off them during free time that is what you need to do! Taking the time to create a work-life balance will mean nothing if family and fun is constantly being interrupted by work.

Just because you do not work in an office with set hours every week does not mean that you need to be working all the time! Although work-from-home professionals sometimes face challenges creating balance in their lives, it is possible to achieve by setting boundaries and making sure that work does not encompass their whole lives. A good work-life balance is essential in achieving both professional and personal goals.

Need more tips on how to work from home? Perhaps a business mentor can help you get organized and on the road  to success! If you would like to contact Stacy O'Quinn to see how he can help you, click here.

*Photo Courtesy of _gee_ via Creative Commons License