Below are a few tips that have helped me to become a better and more successful business owner. Being a business owner suggests that you’re frequently forging your own path: No professional guides, counselors or maps will assist you from one action to the next: You’ll have to make it up as you go. I’ve been in business for most of my adult life and it’s the only career I’ve ever understood. In a way, that makes me fortunate: I have actually become not only comfortable with, however in fact proficient at, advancing into unchartered areas.

However, like everyone else, I have actually dealt with moments of doubt and unpredictability and lots of sleep deprived nights. As I recall the actions that led me from my very first sale– to assorted entrepreneurial endeavors today, some common themes emerge.

1. Keep the main vision in sight

Your vision will take you far. I put this tip first due to the fact that when things go wrong on the course to your success, and they will, keeping the big picture in mind will enable you to guide your way back to an effective course. It may not always be the course you pictured, however your vision becomes your guiding light, which in turn helps you orient yourself to the darkness. Your vision is your “why”, your foundation or compass, lighting the way forward.

2. Fuel your vision with perseverance

Exactly what should go hand-in-hand with a big vision is the perseverance you’ll have to keep moving forward. If you are a video game enthusiast, you have probably played Game of Thrones. There was an excellent line in one episode when Stannis Baratheon was being advised about the lack of wisdom in starting a battle in the snow. He responded: “We march to success or we march to defeat, but we move forward, only forward.”

Sometimes, when things get challenging on your course as a business owner, you need to commit yourself to moving on, no matter the discomfort and worry surrounding the next steps. When you fuel your vision with determination and the spirit of “only forward,” you ultimately satisfy your success.

3. Make a strategy, but be flexible

You require a couple of sets of strategies, even if each is just a couple of pages. A company strategy, with an accompanying marketing overview, are necessary blueprints for success. They assist you map out the major landmarks of the roadway ahead, specify your success and break the journey into important metrics you can track your progress forward.

I’m not one for an elaborate multi-page strategy nobody will read, however I do suggest a more modest plan that can serve as your standard user’s manual and hold you responsible to specific numbers. The fact I do not support highly detailed plans is that I think you need the flexibility to alter the course as needed. Sometimes, huge modifications to the plan will be needed.

4. Accept your know-how

If you’re currently innately good at something, or have a skill set, accept it. Don’t attempt to be all things for all aspects of your company. Hire out or sign contracts with firms for the things you can’t do, like developing a print marketing plan, and focus on your strengths as frequently as possible. Don’t be a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none.

5. Don’t reinvent the wheel

What is currently working in other people’s business models, in your market, in software applications and other business operations that you can replicate instead of re-create? Don’t waste your time trying to establish systems when you can merely acquire and set up one, conserving precious time and spending little money. But in some cases the best choice is to take on the cost of some good systems so you don’t need to lose time and make errors constructing your very own.

6. Don’t burn out

This isn’t simply a stagnant recommendation: Your health is actually the most important thing in your life. When your body gives out, you’re done. Your heart does not care how good a business you have; your circulatory system isn’t really all that impressed with your money or accomplishments … you get the point. Personally, I attempt to eat good food, get enough sleep and take as much time as I can manage day by day to laugh with my friends and volunteer for good causes.

You will burn out if you sacrifice your physical and mental health on the altar of your business. So, take care of yourself.

7. Leverage everything

Life hacks may appear like just viral fodder on the internet, however they can teach an essential mini-lesson to take advantage of. When you use leverage to your advantage in every element of your life, you go further, faster. Take advantage of outsourced assistance to simplify tasks and use traffic time for essential calls and touching base with clients. Take advantage of down time waiting anywhere (the doctor’s office, dropping off or picking up your kids from school, your mechanic’s waiting room, your airline air travel) to get stuff done.

8. Keep your funny bone

If you cannot laugh at yourself, you’re losing out. I was virtually asleep the other night when I thought about a funny event that had taken place earlier that day, and I all of a sudden found myself vibrating with laughter so loud I had a side ache.

Laughing is an excellent cure to diffuse stress, instill some lightheartedness into life and get some perspective on the fact that, hello, this is only life after all– you don’t need to take it so seriously.

So, attempt to laugh more and stress a little less. It enhances your psychological and mental wellness, keeps other people from getting under your skin and keeps you cool and collected, plus a lot more fun to be around.

Networking is one event that has helped me grow my business. On Wednesday mornings I meet with a group of like-minded business owners and we exchange referrals and tips on business. One of our group members is Bob Stinson a business coach with RLS Focused Solutions. He has helped me define my business vision and he can help you too.

Give us a call for assistance with anything from business cards & brochures to banners. We are here to help you be successful.

Unlimited Printing & Signs
2408 Madison Drive Suite 101
North Myrtle Beach, SC  29582
843-273-5290
www.upsprinting.com/