The nature of modern employment is at a crossroads and many people are now choosing to become their own boss, or they find themselves in a situation where they need to become their own boss due to changing circumstances. It could be due to wanting more personal freedom, or it could be as a result of being furloughed during the quarantine period. Whatever your circumstances it is vital that you understand the realities of working for yourself.

Here we are going to take a look at how to get better at being your own boss and what the fundamentals are.

Set Clear Goals

To succeed in any form of business whether employed or self-employed it is vital that you set clear goals and understand exactly where you want to take your business. When you set out to become your own boss, you had your reasons, whether for a lifestyle change or because you were forced into it, so the last thing you want to do is fall at the first hurdle by not setting clear goals. Goals can be short term i.e. planning for the week ahead, or they can be more longer-term where you assess where you’d like your business to be in a year’s time.

What is important though is that you keep reviewing your goals so you are not diverted off track and if necessary you change your long term plans due to actual circumstances. Do not be myopic, think ahead, and work towards your goals.

Networking

As with any walk of life, the better the people you surround yourself with, the better the person you will become. This is as equally true in business as it is in any other field.

You may not like the idea of getting up for that breakfast networking session at 6 am, but think who might be there that you could learn from. Maybe your competitors will be there and you can learn more about what they are doing. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to listen and to talk to other people who are just as hungry as you. Everyone is there for the same reason: to further themselves and their business. This isn’t just limited to a breakfast circle, there are many opportunities to surround yourself with entrepreneurs who can push you whether by joining Facebook groups or real-life action groups or simply by getting out there and talking to people.

Establish an Online Presence

In this day and age having the right website and social media is paramount. If you do not have a presence on the internet, you will be missing out on one of the most valuable tools out there. You may be from an older generation that isn’t au fait with the modern world, but this is no barrier and no excuse not to be using technology appropriately.

It is common knowledge that you need a fast loading clear website that also needs to be mobile-friendly. Maybe you do not know where to start but if you visit this website, not only will they be able to guide you through the necessary steps but will enlighten you on how a professional website can help you grow as a leader. Similarly, a social media content manager could be brought on board to increase your presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, etc.

Work-life Balance

No one said running your own business and being your own boss was easy. Often people make the classic mistake of trying to do everything by themselves, and not delegating to others when necessary. Yes, you are your boss and ultimately the buck stops with you, however, it is of the utmost importance that you take time off away from the business. You have employees you can delegate to, and if you’re a one-man-band, step away every day and take stock. Burnout will only cause you to make bad judgment calls, and ultimately your business will suffer.

Take that 30-minute walk at lunch and allow your brain to refresh. You will be surprised at the number of new ideas that come into your head. Getting your work-life balance correct really will enhance your business.

Takeaway

As we have seen there are many ways to get better at being your own boss. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people allows you to tap into other entrepreneurs who may have more experience than you.

Having a clear goal will help you accomplish your dreams, and making use of the technology available will allow you to reach a much bigger audience at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising. Just as importantly though, take time off and step back, allow yourself to see the bigger picture and you will find that ideas will flow.

Finally, make sure you enjoy it!