If only most
business owners thought more like an entrepreneur and not an employee.
You see most business owners work too hard, for too many hours,
for far too little money …
In most cases
it's because they never build their business into anything more
than a job for themselves and a few others. And, as a one person
business, they've got the world's most demanding boss and an employee
who never seems to want to work.
Put simply,
most small business owners live either a see-saw life or
a life running in circles … Let me explain that for you …
The See-Saw
is the ultimate in pain for the greatly skilled employee who starts
their own business selling what they did before. They quickly learn
that half their time is spent chasing work and the other half doing
the work. It's sell, do, sell, do, sell, do …
No matter
what you do it seems you're stuck. You're the best at what you do,
so everyone wants you, but you're still trading time for money …
Unfortunately, most people in this situation end up going back to
get a job in another company. Yet some take the next step …
So then,
what happens to these business owners … ? Some step up and go on
to employing others and even though they are now an employer, they
unfortunately still seem to think like an employee. They think that
hard work will solve all ills …
Now instead
of see-sawing, they're running in circles, chasing their tail, cleaning
up after others, working longer hours, putting out fires, making
less than some of their employees and still having to do much of
the work they did before. They thought they'd have people working
for them, when in reality, they're working for their people.
When most
business owners get into this mess, they think, "I should just sack
the lot of them and go back to when it was just me".
Either way,
see-saw or circles, still thinking like a hard working employee
has you doomed to a life of small business drudgery, even as the
business owner …
So, how do
you make the shift … ?
Well, here
are the 7 most important things you need to do to make the shift
to a business owner, that is, someone who treats their
business as an investment, rather than a job … someone who works
only a few hours a week and lives off of the profits their business
makes.
1. Learn
as much as you can about how to run a business. Learn about
accounting, sales, marketing, stock ordering, recruitment, team
building, systems building, entrepreneurship and everything you
can. Read, attend seminars, listen to tapes and watch video's.
2. Start
with the end in mind. Be clear on the fact that you're building
a business that will run without you, not a job that will chain
you to the wheel forever.
3. Build
systems and not just people. Don't just hire the best people,
hire great people and give them great systems. Document everything
you do so you can easily teach new people how to do it.
4. Build
a Great Team. To do that of course you've got to become a great
leader and learn what it takes to build a team to run the business
when you're not there.
5. Change
your Identity. Stop thinking of yourself as a carpenter, solicitor,
poodle clipper, or whatever the profession of your business is and
think of yourself as an entrepreneur who is currently building a
carpentry etc etc.
6. Make
a Decision. First comes the dream and then the most important
step, the decision that you are 100% committed to making the dream
a reality.
7. Get
a Coach or Mentor. If you want to get great results get someone
to show you how to do it and push you like a great coach would.
Getting into
business can be the best decision you'll ever make. Building a great
level of income and a great lifestyle is truly rewarding. Yet, making
your dreams a reality as a business owner is often one of the most
challenging paths to follow. Keep focusing on what you CAN do and
smile each day, knowing that you are your own boss …
For more
information contact the Business Coaching team at ACTION International
at action@action-international.com
or in Australia on 1800 670 335.
