6 Rookie Missteps First-Time Biz Owners Make


December 11, 2019

The first year in business can be the hardest.

You know there’s a lot that needs to be done but resources (and time!) are often limited. And if you’re a one-person show… you may soon start freaking out.

But before you feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things you need to take care of, see what others have done and learn from other people’s missteps.

Save yourself some valuable time and money in the future… here are the six biggest rookie missteps first-time entrepreneurs often make!

Misstep #1: You try to do everything by yourself.

As a first-time business owner, I know you’ll be shocked when you find out just how much work there is in running a business. Yes… even if that business is online and home-based.

However, the worst possible thing is to try and do everything at once, especially if your team is… well, only you!

Don’t do that to yourself – burnout is lurking around every corner.  

Outsource the work you don’t have the time or the skills to do and focus on the things that actually help you grow your business and leads list.

Misstep #2: You don’t follow a routine.

Do you catch yourself still sitting in your PJs at 6 PM, fueled by coffee and wondering when the last time you took a shower was?

Yeah… that’s not helping anyone. 😉

There’s a certain freedom that comes with not having fixed working hours but don’t let that freedom be the death of your productivity.

If you’re in this for the long run, establish a routine… even if you don’t think you need one. Use the freedom you have to structure your workweek any way you want but do give it some structure! 

Misstep #3: You let work interfere with your private life (and vice versa).

Talking about routines…

It’s so easy to let work into your private life and vice versa. I mean, I’ve been there… one minute you’re loading the dishwasher, the next minute you’re taking clients’ calls on Skype!

If you want to keep your business and your sanity, draw some kind of line. Set some healthy boundaries so you’re able to recharge after the workday is done.

When you work, you work. But when you’re done, you’re done! (And yes, that means ignoring non-urgent emails until your workday starts tomorrow.)

Misstep #4: You don’t market yourself properly.

Do you cringe upon hearing the word marketing?

Well, I’m going to ask you one thing now: check in with your thoughts! What are your beliefs about marketing?

Let go of the old belief that marketing means lying or being dishonest or selling something that doesn’t exist. Long gone are the days of the Used Car Salesman!

Instead, think of marketing as a way of telling the world how you can make a difference in other people’s lives. And in the era of the internet, you can be yourself as much as you’d like… someone’s going to love your brand just for that!

Misstep #5: You don’t strategize right away.

Setting up a business and hoping for the best is a good enough recipe… for disaster.

Once you determine your WHY – the most important starting point – set your goals and decide how you’re going to crush them. Break larger goals into smaller goals that are more manageable… weekly goals work amazingly well for small business owners!

Of course, you’ll probably have to revisit your strategy a few times and polish things as you go, but the right tactic is going to make a huge difference in your life and business.

Misstep #6: You don’t believe in yourself.

One of the downsides of not having a figure of higher authority in your business: there’s no one to pat you on the back for doing a good job.

That means that YOU will have to learn how to be your own biggest cheerleader, even when things go wrong!

Embrace growth and embrace making mistakes. Don’t forget… everyone makes mistakes, but the most successful people learn from them!

What do you struggle with the most as a first-time business owner?

Leave me a comment and let me know – I’d love to help if I can!



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