Series for Success: Be a Productive Entrepreneur
Congratulations! You’ve started your own business. That makes you an entrepreneur! Now, you want to be a successful entrepreneur, but how? The answer is simple… productivity. But that’s easier said than done, right?
If you want to be successful as an entrepreneur and focus your business, you need good habits and access to resources. We’ve put together some ideas to help you get the most out of yourself.
Start Early
You’ve probably heard the old saying, “The early bird gets the worm.” As cliche as that might be, it’s actually true. In interviews, a lot of successful business people say that they start their day early. Most of them wake up at 5 or 6 in the morning.
One of the reasons for waking up early is that it’s quiet. Most people aren’t out and about and there are fewer distractions. It’s a great time to check email while enjoying a cup of coffee. If you need some “me” time to get going, that early morning time slot can be used for exercise or meditation.
Get Organized
In general, successful entrepreneurs are fairly organized. That doesn’t mean that everything has its place and their office is spotless (so no need to worry about being a neat freak). What you do need to organize is your schedule, your priorities and your goals.
One great tip for getting organized is to make a to-do list at the end of your work day. You can also highlight priorities or put them toward the top of the list. This takes about 10 minutes and eliminates the feeling of “where do I begin?” when you start working the next day.
Go for It!
You can make plans and organize all day long, but what’s a plan without action? Successful entrepreneurs aren’t afraid to take risks. What is the worst thing that could happen if you approach someone and ask for their business? The worst is probably that they’ll say no.
But the best thing is that you may gain a customer. You don’t know if you don’t try, after all. Set those goals and go for it!
Positive Attitude
Having a positive attitude goes a long way when running your own business. After all, you are taking risks from time to time and you will be told no. Too many “nos” and you may start to doubt yourself. Keep your chin up and keep trying. Reframe your thoughts. Be grateful for even the smallest success. Gratitude goes a long way.
Network
Getting out into the community and meeting new people helps you make connections so that you can grow your business. Most cities have coworking spaces or entrepreneurial groups where you can get out and talk to others who are in the same boat. You may meet someone who you can trade services with or exchange ideas. Just being around like-minded people can have a huge impact on the way you work.
Read
Successful entrepreneurs are always learning and one way to do that is by reading books. In fact, 88% of successful people who were surveyed say they spend at least 30 minutes per day reading! There are a lot of books written by people who have done what you’re doing now. They’ve had successes and more importantly, they’ve made mistakes. By learning what not to do, you’re setting yourself up for success.
Most successful people tend to read self help books, biographies, or nonfiction books, but reading for pleasure is good too. It’s a great way to relax!
Self Care
Taking care of yourself is a good practice whether you’re an entrepreneur or not. Exercising, eating a balanced diet, and practicing good hygiene is good for your physical and mental health.
If you work from home, it’s sometimes easy to get caught in the trap of being too comfortable. Just getting dressed can change your entire perspective.
Exercise is great for your body and your mind. It helps you clear your head and gives your body a rush of much-needed endorphins to help you stay motivated.
Don’t Forget to Relax
Although being productive is the ultimate goal, it’s hard to be productive without mental breaks here and there. Successful people tend to incorporate meditation into their lives. There are some great apps for guided practice, or you can simply shut your eyes and focus on your breath. We’ve already mentioned reading as a relaxation tactic. And getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for yourself!
One Step at a Time
We all have good and bad habits, but you want to adopt the ones that will lead to having a successful business and overall happiness. When it comes down to it, taking care of yourself goes hand and hand with a successful business. Some habits are easy to incorporate into your life, while others take time and practice. But if you set small goals and work towards them every day, you may find some of these things become second nature!