7 Tips for the Overworked Business Owner

1. Train the overhead monster – delegate, organize, disconnect.

You feel like nothing will run smoothly without you and the idea of letting go feels scary, but you have to do it. Your business cannot grow until you learn to let others do some of the work. Plus, it’s no fun trying to do it all and having no life; everyone, including your business, suffers.

2. Do your thing.

What makes you money? Do that the most. If you don’t know what your “payday activity” is, take a few moments and figure it out. Depending on your business, usually the money-making activity is that which you created the business around (designing a home, fixing a cavity, doing someone’s taxes, etc.)

3. Make employee relationships comfortable.

Clearly define, and communicate, expectations, procedures, and consequences of not following them. Employees should not wonder what they are supposed to do, or what will happen if they don’t do it well. If needed, create an employee handbook or, better yet, hire someone else to do this for you.

4. Can your office run without you?

It needs to. Your procedures and systems should be so fool-proof and clearly outlined that you can walk away for a golf game or vacation without the blackberry. Yes, we are serious and yes, we have shown hundreds of business owners how to do this and still be wildly successful.

5. In 3 years, what do you want your business to look like?

If you can’t answer this, you’ll never get there. 97% of people do not write their goals down. Only 1% of those actually look at them. Ever go on a road trip without a destination? Frustrating, time consuming, and very unrewarding. Don’t run your business this way. Take the time to establish what you want, personally and professionally.

6. Your business is the tool, life is the goal.

If you’ve forgotten how to maintain work/life balance, something or someone is suffering as a result. If your friends and family don’t see enough of you, they are suffering. If you don’t have time outside of work to have friends and family, you are suffering.

7. “Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can’t, You’re Right” – Henry Ford.

Can you make changes? Ford’s quote is painfully true. If you’re convinced that your business will never get to the point where you can vacation in Hawaii worry-free, then it won’t. If you’re convinced it will, guess what – you’re right.

Brent Dees teaches entrepreneurs from around the world how to set and
achieve personal and business goals in his Focus Four classes. He is sought after by business, professional and civic groups as a keynote
speaker, provides continuing education training to CPAs, and delivers
programs on practice management to dental study clubs. Dees is the
author of numerous articles on entrepreneurialism and financial planning as well as previous host of the popular radio program Financially Speaking.