Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Working on your business - not just in your business
I met two solopreneurs (entrepreneur working alone in your business)last week. Two wonderful professionals who love what they do. One a hairdresser, the other a massage therapist. Both confessed to having thoughts of going back to work for an employer because they hate the business part of their work: keeping track of the finances, the administration, the website, the marketing, etc.
I could identify with them because as a life coach, I just want to coach and I also find the business part the least interesting part of my work.
If you are a solopreneur, here are some tips to lighten your outlook and make your life easier.
- Identify the part of the business you most dislike and get someone to do it for you. If it's the finances, bookkeeping, etc., hire someone to do your books. You may say you can't afford to but look at the time you can devote to doing more of what you truly enjoy which will help pay for the services. Another way is to barter your services.
- Identify the part of the business you are least trained/qualified to do and either get the training or hire someone to do it for you. If it's something you really want to learn, great. Otherwise, find someone to do it.
- If you find yourself totally overwhelmed with some aspect because you have really let things slip and you are the one who needs to do it, block off some time and clean up. Personal papers and files often fall in this category.
- Develop (or hire someone) to develop and put a system in place to help you keep on top of things.
- Depending on the kind of business you have, you need to spend time weekly to working on your business. This time goes from a minimum of 10% to 20%. In a full time business, this can mean a full day each week.
- Don't forget to have a life. Having a small business, especially one you run from your home is wonderful and has a lot of benefits. It also makes it harder to clearly define work and life time. You may be "ON" most of the day, even on weekends. If that's a problem for you, block the family and life time in your day planner and treat it as sacred, i.e. stick to it.
Whether you are an artist, a coach, a therapist, personal trainer, hairdresser, you are first and foremost a business person. You are in business and need to earn a living at it. Treat it like a business, not just a hobby.
Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
The coach who wants to change the world,
One Man at a Time
http://www.canadascoach.com
I could identify with them because as a life coach, I just want to coach and I also find the business part the least interesting part of my work.
If you are a solopreneur, here are some tips to lighten your outlook and make your life easier.
- Identify the part of the business you most dislike and get someone to do it for you. If it's the finances, bookkeeping, etc., hire someone to do your books. You may say you can't afford to but look at the time you can devote to doing more of what you truly enjoy which will help pay for the services. Another way is to barter your services.
- Identify the part of the business you are least trained/qualified to do and either get the training or hire someone to do it for you. If it's something you really want to learn, great. Otherwise, find someone to do it.
- If you find yourself totally overwhelmed with some aspect because you have really let things slip and you are the one who needs to do it, block off some time and clean up. Personal papers and files often fall in this category.
- Develop (or hire someone) to develop and put a system in place to help you keep on top of things.
- Depending on the kind of business you have, you need to spend time weekly to working on your business. This time goes from a minimum of 10% to 20%. In a full time business, this can mean a full day each week.
- Don't forget to have a life. Having a small business, especially one you run from your home is wonderful and has a lot of benefits. It also makes it harder to clearly define work and life time. You may be "ON" most of the day, even on weekends. If that's a problem for you, block the family and life time in your day planner and treat it as sacred, i.e. stick to it.
Whether you are an artist, a coach, a therapist, personal trainer, hairdresser, you are first and foremost a business person. You are in business and need to earn a living at it. Treat it like a business, not just a hobby.
Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
The coach who wants to change the world,
One Man at a Time
http://www.canadascoach.com
