It’s no secret that business owners live busy lives no matter how small or big their ventures are. They deal with a lot of people on top of a long to-do list. That’s why it’s important to aim for a simpler lifestyle that reduces stress, increases productivity, and breeds more joy.
In this article, you’ll find tips on how to reduce complications in your solopreneur life by carefully managing your time. You’ll also learn how to do business with people, change your mindset about doing business, and strategies to reduce your workload.
1. Don’t let your business own you
Take small breaks according to schedule and when necessary. If it’s your personal or family time, don’t let anything from your venture interrupt them. More importantly, don’t be a workaholic. Leave the office when it’s time to clock out.
2. Take care of your customers
Customers that are well cared for return for more transactions. In return, this positions your business for success. They’re also less likely to make complaints that could really bother you in your personal and work time. Take time to listen to their suggestions and work hard to provide the best products and services.
3. Delegate
Don’t try to do all the work yourself. Hire somebody else to do the menial tasks for you. Better yet, hire people who are competent and share the same working values as you.
4. Outsource
If you can’t hire someone competent in your local area, hire somebody online. There are 7.9 billion people in the world for you to choose from. More than 40% of this number are people who have the skills and talent for whatever work you can offer.
5. Maintain effective communication
Always keep in touch with your employees. Hear their concerns and their ideas out. Speak your mind to them as well. Their thoughts might be better than yours or their ideas might just be perfect for your plans.
6. Automate customer service
You can’t answer all your customers’ questions 24/7, especially if your business is online. Chatbots can help you provide good customer service if you’re not online on your social media accounts or website.
7. Be more efficient
Spend less time procrastinating by eliminating distractions from your office. Practice good time management through prioritizing the most important tasks first. Focus on finishing one task before getting the next done by using to-do lists.
8. Plan more
Solopreneurs should always have a carefully laid-out business plan for the next week. There should also be plans ready for any contingencies. Spend the afternoon of your Fridays for planning and write them down. Remember, failing to plan is planning to fail.
9. Understand that you cannot please everyone
You cannot make your customers, clients, friends, colleagues, or even your family happy most of the time. Aiming to please everyone will only make you stressed out and unhappy. Stick to your principles on how you make people pleased. If they don’t like it, no big deal. Move on and keep doing your best.
10. Say goodbye to perfectionism
Practice makes perfect. But let’s face it, perfectionism doesn’t exist. We all make mistakes and that’s the reality of being human. No need to brood about errors. Successful people know that mistakes are valuable learning tools that make one better.
11. Automate payments
Paying cash to your suppliers, utilities, or your employees in person only eats up your time. As much as possible, utilize your bank’s services when paying for anything. You can then do it through your phone. The same goes for customer transactions. Accept cashless payments in your store or shop.
Today is Friday. I want to wish you a happy and relaxed solopreneur’s weekend. You’ve earned it well so enjoy it. If somebody contacts you about work-related issues, tell them that you’ll get back to them on Monday.
