things i've learned: working for yourself
W-O-W It has been such a crazy whirlwind since I quit my full-time job just about 2 weeks ago. The day after I quit, Savannah and I left for a Maiedae Retreat - where we planned and prepared for our new roles and responsibilities as full time business owners. Right when we came back, we jumped into important business meetings, Mixer preparation, and then our first full week together in our new schedule. Obviously after only 2 weeks, I'm no expert at working for myself. However, I do think that I've learned some valuable insights that those who are looking to work for themselves or who are also beginning this journey could potentially use.
Once we developed a vision, goals, and action items, we researched strategic tools to help us accomplish those goals in the most efficient way. This included apps, programs, a calendar system, a running document source, and a filing system. It was really important to us to have shared calendars, documents, and design client folders between us on all our devices - our phones, iPads, and computers. And having that all set up and ready to go was a huge part in allowing us to hit the ground running our first full week of work.
I know not everyone is a "schedule" person, however, I think this point is really important to set yourself up for success in accomplishing all that you want to in the limited time you have. If you're like me and you're moving from working nights and weekends to having what seems like all the time in the world, you might think that you don't need a schedule. However, I would still encourage you to set a schedule. Not only will you accomplish more, but you'll also be more likely to not overwork yourself.
Thanks for listening in! Please feel free to share things you've learned in the comments below!
MAKE A PLAN
Whether or not you already have goals for this year, consider developing a vision for your business and tangible goals related to that vision. Savannah and I had already chosen our theme word for this year before we decided to re-visit our vision and goals on our retreat. It was refreshing and inspiring to sit down and develop an action item list for each of those goals and to make sure that they all pointed back to our vision for Maiedae. Need help creating a vision? Here are a few simple steps: 1) Write out your core values as a business 2) As best you can, write out why you are doing what you're doing. 3) Where do you hope your business is in the next 5 years? 10 years? Beyond that? 4) After evaluating everything you've written down, develop a purpose or vision statement. Here is a basic template:
_______________(Your company name) exists to ________________(why you're doing what you're doing) for
______________(who is your audience?) in order to _____________ (what do you want to accomplish?)
by ________________(how are you going to accomplish it?)
Once we developed a vision, goals, and action items, we researched strategic tools to help us accomplish those goals in the most efficient way. This included apps, programs, a calendar system, a running document source, and a filing system. It was really important to us to have shared calendars, documents, and design client folders between us on all our devices - our phones, iPads, and computers. And having that all set up and ready to go was a huge part in allowing us to hit the ground running our first full week of work.
DEVELOP A SCHEDULE
Thankfully, I have a business partner to work with who helps keep me accountable to getting things done. However, even with a business partner, it's extremely important (in my opinion) to develop a schedule for yourself. For those who are working alone, this is probably even more important in order to stay on task. I found that when I work alone, I tend to get carried away on one project and forget to do everything else that I want to do in that day. Developing a schedule allows me to have focused slots of time and also change things up every day.I know not everyone is a "schedule" person, however, I think this point is really important to set yourself up for success in accomplishing all that you want to in the limited time you have. If you're like me and you're moving from working nights and weekends to having what seems like all the time in the world, you might think that you don't need a schedule. However, I would still encourage you to set a schedule. Not only will you accomplish more, but you'll also be more likely to not overwork yourself.
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
Both literally and figuratively, give yourself a break. If you make a mistake, don't be too hard on yourself. You're learning and taking huge risks. Enjoy the next phase of this journey. But also be sure to not overwork yourself. I have personally chosen to not work after 5:30pm on the weeknights and very rarely work on Saturdays. I want to give myself a break. Owning your own business can easily become something that overtakes your life - it can be all you talk about, and all that consumes your mind. However, balance is the key. It's understandable that you are working so hard on something you love, but give yourself and the ones you love a break from it every now and then.Thanks for listening in! Please feel free to share things you've learned in the comments below!