As a young entrepreneur starting a business, it can be quite overwhelming finding what works for you and sticking with it. Below are a few strategies that can help in stressful times when you are first starting out so that you can set yourself up for success in the long run.
1. It Takes Time
It can be easy to fall into the downward spiral of expecting your business to take off immediately then losing motivation and passion when it doesn’t. In these instances, it’s important to remember that there are no shortcuts, but only hard work that will lead you to where you want to be five years down the line. There is only so much that can be done within that first year and, unless you are incredibly lucky or the stars are aligned in your favour, it won’t be breaking out as a leading competitor in your industry. Trust the process, put in the work, and be patient—if you’re doing it all right, then everything will fall into place eventually.
2. You Are Only One Person
It is tempting to start your own business, if only to make your own hours and be the soul decision maker over everything that happens to it. However, realizing that you are only one person will alleviate some of that pressure and allow you to grow as a business owner, understanding that it is okay to ask for help or use as many tools as possible for support.
If you are a jewelry maker and feel like the administrative part of the business is taking up too much of your time, be open to finding an assistant, if only on a part-time basis to help you while you focus on your product. If your paperwork is becoming a bit too overwhelming to be stored in your home office or on your Google Drive, invest in a secure virtual data room to keep your data safe and easily accessible whenever you need it. The options are endless, you just need to recognize when you need the help and ask for it.
3. Nothing Will Ever Be Perfect
You can slave over your business and its branding day and night, but it will never be perfect. No aspect of it ever will and it’s important to recognize and acknowledge that fact early on in the process. Stressing over the minor details rather than the big picture is a waste of time and takes away energy from working your hardest to make the entire business run smoothly rather than one fragment of it being completely flawless. Your clients will understand that perfection is unattainable and so should you in order to be able to provide them the best product or service that you realistically can.
4. Keep Your Eye On The Ball
Focus is key, especially in the early stages of your business. You need to make a decision about the direction you want to take your business in and stick to the plan you have set out for yourself, even if the future, from this vantage point, seems grim. You will become overwhelmed with administration and minor details that will drain a lot of your energy, but keeping your sights set on the end goal is what will propel you into the success you are striving for. As mentioned above, don’t be afraid to delegate work or hire extra help when necessary. Even using online tools such, as a VDR, can help alleviate some of the burden and allow you to focus your attention on what really matters.
5. Have Daily Rituals
It might seem a bit uninspired and monotonous to have daily rituals when it comes to your business—isn’t having freedom with your schedule why you started your own business, after all? While it might seem much less taxing to be able to make your own schedule and run things how you like them, it is important to find a routine that will keep your focus in check and cultivate the right amount of motivation to keep you going, even through the tough times. These routines can be as simple as going for a walk every morning before sitting at your desk and getting work done, or taking your lunch at the same time every day. Whatever they are, it’s important to listen to yourself and accept what works for you, not what you’ve seen others do.