How to Deal with Burnout as an Entrepreneur

Unfortunately, as an entrepreneur, at some point you may face burnout. I mean, quite frankly, that’s what happens. It’s just normal.

First of all, don’t panic. It’s not the end of the world. It’s just something normal and natural that a business owner goes through.

What can you do to prevent burnout? Set some small goals is a great idea. Set these goals, even if it’s a tiny objective of getting a few things done. Spend some time visioning, really juicing yourself up and amping yourself up about what you got excited about in your business to begin with. Go out and reward yourself. Reward yourself for things that you’ve done in your business that you’re proud of and happy about.

And finally, spend some time with your customers. They’ll remind you of how valuable your business is to them. Accept the fact that burnout is normal. You’re human. We all go through this, and we just need to re-light the fire and get our inspiration back. Don’t panic, burnout is something that you can rekindle.

Why You Need Standard Operating Procedures

In your business, you must have standard operating procedures. This is going to help you do your business better and also put you in a position to sell your business in the future, should you choose to.

A standard operating procedure, or SOP, is a very clear, written document that describes the steps needed to complete an activity. It comes from you watching what procedures are done in your business, every tiny procedure, and writing those down step by step, very simplistically. You should break them into the smallest possible tasks, write them, and put them in a written manual, so that you can train and teach other people to do the tasks.

I recommend you write very, very simply. Be sure that you explain every detail and don’t assume that anyone will know how to get the job done unless the details are there. Look at every aspect of your business and write an SOP for each and every aspect. This way, your business will be heading standards and you will know that things are done as they’re supposed to be done in a timely and effective manner. Standard operating procedures and taking the time to write them will save you a lot of time and energy in the future. Get busy.

Avoid these 5 Common Mistakes for Entrepreneurial Success

A large percentage of new businesses fail within the first five years. This failure is usually attributed to incompetency and lack of preparation – in other words, it doesn’t matter if the product of service is brilliant in every respect if the business owner lacks business savvy!

It’s not all bad news, however, because there are businesses that flourish and rake in high profits regardless of the economy.  Some of these entrepreneur owners didn’t know what to do either, but they learned. It doesn’t matter what you do in life, if you want success, you do have to put in some effort. It isn’t handed to you on a plate.

You can be successful too, if you avoid these 5 mistakes: (more…)

Stuck in a Rut? Here’s 8 Tips to Help you Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Doesn’t hurt to be reminded to step out of your comfort zone every now and then and now is time for a reminder…

We are creatures of habit. We also like to feel safe and secure. This is why many people stay in their comfort zones. This is also why many people never truly experience their full potential, and success and excitement eludes them.

If sticking in your comfort zone interferes with your growth and development and if it hinders reaching your goals, and if very little has changed for you in the past 5 to 10 years, it’s time for a change! Imagine if you chose to crawl all your life because the risk of standing on your own two feet was too scary… some people live their whole lives this way. But not us, right? So here we go with 8 tips to help you out:
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Six Tips to Restore the Motivation to Work

The past couple of years has seen an unprecedented shift in business and financial challenges and opportunities on a global scale.  While some western countries experienced serious downturns, many developing countries found their feet, making their fortunes by attracting western businesses to set up base in their country where business costs and labor are so much cheaper. While the wisdom of this is being debated and some governments are actively encouraging their home grown businesses to invest and remain on home soil, the major effect of this outsourcing and taking industry overseas is diminished job and career opportunities at home, which has a demoralizing effect on those who’ve lost their jobs.

Now, as businesses in the major western countries get back on their feet, one of the key factors to their success is not going to be in the number of new products they can invent or manufacture for less than their competition, but from the people who work for them… the employees who drive their business. If a company is to rebuild itself and continue to grow, it must have enthusiastic, productive and committed people and motivating the workforce must become a key strategy in business growth plans. 

Studies show that money alone does not provide long term motivation, because employees have to know the difference between being paid for the job they do as opposed to being rewarded for doing a good job, so with many companies still facing the necessity to watch their spending, here are some examples of motivational programs and options they can consider. (more…)

No One is Right or Wrong… A Coaching Perspective

As a professional business and personal coach, I believe that we, as human beings, are all connected. We may not see this and sometimes we may even wish we weren’t, but it is an essential ingredient in the coaching process. I recognize this sense of connection, but I also recognize that we are each unique and have special gifts, talents, and offerings.

One of the challenges we all face, as human beings, is that of remaining non-judgmental. We tend to put labels on what we hear, such as right or wrong, good or bad, happy or sad, etc. Even young children hold judgment about what they see, hear, and experience. Somehow, society has trained us to judge others as good or bad and not to accept those who are different from us or what we consider the “norm.” But shifting into coaching mode, we believe that no one is right or wrong, good or bad … they just are, and we accept who or what they are, period. Not always an easy task, admittedly.
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