We have seen record numbers of entrepreneurs in the last few years. Some people learned a new skill and turned it into a business. Some people made a side hustle their full-time gig. Others saw a problem and became the solution to it. No matter the reason, every year has been the year of the entrepreneur.
While being a business owner is exciting, it’s also a lot of hard work. You should put your best foot forward and treat it well. Now, there is not an “official blueprint” to having a business; there is a lot of information on the best practices for your specific business. However, the reality is that a lot of businesses fail, and many business owners make mistakes that could have been avoided.
According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor, about 20% of U.S. small businesses fail within the first year. By the end of their fifth year, about 50% of businesses must close their doors.
Every business is different, but there are certain habits every entrepreneur has, and I’m going to break down some of the most important ones so you can have a great chance to become a successful entrepreneur.
1. Be consistent and have a routine
You know the saying, “practice makes perfect,” the more you do something repeatedly, the easier it gets. No matter if it’s your morning, daily, or monthly routine, you need to have one. It also helps you to be more orderly and on point. Trust me; your clients will be happy that you are orderly.
2. Be organized and plan ahead
Now, if you practice the first habit, then it will prepare you for this one and make it a lot easier. Stay ahead of the game and plan out your day, your appointments, and all your have-to’s. After all, you don’t want to forget things and appear unprofessional to your staff or clients. It can be very stressful, and your brain and body could be over-worked and over-whelmed. By being organized and planning ahead, you save yourself from wasting time and sometimes extra work.
3. Learn to delegate and be okay with it
Now, this is one that I had to learn myself; I use to think that if I wanted something done right, then I had to do it myself, and it’s not true. It was something I told myself, trying to make sure everything was perfect. In fact, nothing is actually “perfect,” and that’s just an extra gem I threw in for you. If you have staff, you hired them for a reason, and they must learn to perform their duties. Also, it’s important to hire great people who will represent your business well. You must allow them to do it and pull their weight. If you don’t have staff, then you could ask your family or friends to help with small things or some of your personal affairs so that you can handle your business duties.
4. Write down your daily wins and goals
Sometimes you can be your own worse critic, and sometimes you don’t realize just how much you’ve accomplished in one day. While it’s only 24 hours in a day and time doesn’t wait for anyone, it’s still a chance to get a lot done in those 24 hours. It’s okay to be your own cheerleader, and it’s very healthy to celebrate your wins. It boosts your confidence and gives you more momentum to keep going. This also helps you stay on track and remember to do a task on another day that you might not have been able to do that day.
5. Be mentally, spiritually, and physically on point
Health is wealth, and if your body breaks down, then you won’t be able to run your business. Working out regularly and meditation is very important. It not only keeps you healthy, but it also keeps you disciplined. Again, having a business can be stressful, and you have to have a sharp mind and a clear head to be able to run it properly.
6. Make time for yourself
I hope you are seeing a trend here and seeing that a lot of these habits tie into each other, which can be a wonderful thing for you, your business, and your lifestyle. Now, I have told you about working hard and how hard at times it can be to run a business, but you must include yourself too. You have to listen to your body and rest, eat and take a break when it alerts you to. You don’t need to burn yourself out or overwork yourself; that will only be counterproductive.
7. Understand priority
You can’t do everything at one time; it’s no way possible. You need to analyze and do what’s most important and/or needs immediate attention first. Some people do the most difficult or most tidiness tasks first, and some do the least. That is a decision that you must make based on your business and yourself.
8. Understand customer service is key
Customer service is one of the most important factors of any business. Without customers, then you don’t have a business. You must treat people just as you would want to be treated and remember that bad customer service can ruin your business, and they can spend their money elsewhere.
9. Keep learning your craft while being a trailblazer
Things are constantly evolving, and you must keep up with the trends but be true to yourself, stand out, and sprinkle your own dust on it.
I hope you find these healthy habits useful, and you become a successful entrepreneur with a booming business.
