Lately I’ve been experiencing higher than normal anxiety, the fear that maybe it won’t all work out and heavy reliance on emotional support from friends and family. The reason for acting this way, and being totally uncool, is that I have finally decided to follow my dream of being my own boss.
That’s right, after several years of working for others while wishing I was working for myself, I have taken the plunge into the entrepreneurial pool. At times a bit overwhelming (i.e. when creating my logo, designing my website, starting the business plan, etc. ) but at other times it is highly rewarding (i.e. when you sit down with a client and get some highly creative work done).
My business is fairly new but I remain optimistic. The key to staying positive when working for yourself is to plan, plan, plan! So I have some tips for how to stay organized and motivated, and therefore, not to be fearful of having your own business.
1) Plan your day from the night before. Write down all the important things that need to be done and do them one by one. Master the art of “mono-tasking”.
2) Mono-task! I heard about this new concept from an article from Forbes.com that a client of mine sent to me. The art of mono-tasking means to spend an allotted amount of time on one task at a time. What a concept! In a world where we are told to strut our multi-tasking abilities, mono-tasking tells us that it is okay to do one task at a time – you’ll get more quality work done! So put away your BlackBerry and stop checking your e-mail for the next hour, it’s time to mono-task!
3) Start your morning with a nice cup of coffee and read something motivational. Whether it’s an article from an entrepreneurial magazine re: a success story, an e-mail from a friend telling you how proud they are of you starting your own business, or if it’s just a motivational Tweet. Whatever it is, find it, read it and stay motivated!
4) Don’t be lazy. Wake up early and remember your goals and where you want to be in a year to five years from now. Work towards those goals each day.
5) Exercise and eat right. I kept reading about this and how important it is for your mind and body and didn’t really give it much thought until I started my business. It makes a huge difference when I eat right and have time to squeeze in a trip to the gym – you feel re-energized and motivated. So if you’re too tired to get to the gym, at the risk of sounding like a slogan for a famous sportswear company, just do it!
Until next week, stay motivated.
Hi Mahsa,
Sincere congratulations to you on taking the plunge! How exciting!
I’ve been working as a Professional Coach–with business women on how to stay focused, organized, and ahead of the game…and you do a great job of highlighting the most important ways that we can each set ourselves up for success!
Like you said, it’s all about planning…and starting your day off on the right foot. I have a new routine that helps get me fired up each day, and it involves choosing a song that gets me going and then blasting it throughout the living room after my husband leaves for work! And after that, I am generally ready to tackle the world. 🙂
Best wishes to you for much success, and today I will carry your idea with me to Just Do It!
Peace,
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your comment! Good for your for helping business women.
I’m going to try your routine of blasting a song that will help me get going in the mornings – I love it!
All the best to you for much success as well.
Cheers,
Mahsa