You have a full time job. You have a side hustle. For so many women, this is becoming the new reality. Having a plan A, B and even C has become the new normal. Entrepreneurship is on the rise and there has never been a better time to start, build and grow your own side business.
But what if you want to turn that side gig into a full-time job? How do you nurture your passion when you have so many other responsibilities in your life? In order to get started on the right path, you must adopt certain strategies to help you focus on your plans and goals. The following tips have helped me create, build and run two successful businesses. If you incorporate them into your life and career, you’re bound to get results as well.
1. Create a Business and Financial Plan. This is an absolute non-negotiable. A plan is what prevents your side hustle from being classified as a “hobby,” vs. a “business.” Every serious entrepreneur knows how important it is to create a business plan and a financial plan. They both must be measurable, as well as include a list of your goals, desires and needs and how you’re going to achieve them. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself when creating those plans:
- Are my goals measurable?
- How will my goals be measured and tracked?
- What are my reasons for starting this business?
- Who is my ideal client or customer?
- How will I attract my ideal client or customer to purchase my product or service?
- What income-producing activities will I implement in order to achieve my goals?
- What am I going to sell in the next 30 to 90 days?
- What do I want my income to be and by when? How will I accomplish this?
2. Make Over Your Mindset. Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. Your mindset can either make you or break you. Circumstances are not always fair, easy or the way we like them to be; however, we always have a choice of how we perceive the situation. You choose what thoughts to think, what words to speak and what actions to take. Try to see the positive in everything, and if you can’t find the positive then create the positive in each situation. When you are building any business you are going to invest either time or money in the beginning—but the choice is yours.
Your mindset can either make or break you. The choice is yours.
3. Ask for Help. Leverage is a girl’s best friend. You can’t do everything by yourself, so you need to ask for help. Your business will not grow sustainably if you don’t have a team to back you up. Where can you ask for support in your business and life? Identify one thing you need assistance with and then search for help. Your life will become much easier once you decide to do this.
4. Create a Follow-Up System. The fortune is in the follow-up. Research shows it takes between five to 12 touches to finalize 80 percent of sales. How many times are you reaching out to past, present and potential clients? Creating a follow-up system to keep you organized is key. It doesn’t matter if you create an Excel spreadsheet, set up calendar reminders or simply establish a good old monthly filing method. Choose a system and stick to it.
5. Set Clear Boundaries. The key to staying sane is to create boundaries in your life and business. Start saying no more often. If your gut reaction to a project, person or plan is not a “hell, yes!” then it’s a no. Decide what you value and then start living your life around that. Say no to anything that doesn’t align with those values. If there are many opportunities that align with your values, take action on only the ones that you feel really aligned with.
6. Give Yourself “Me” Time. You are your own best asset. You cannot share or be of service to anyone else unless you help yourself first. Putting yourself last is a pretty easy thing to do when you have a lot going on, but if you don’t do a little something for yourself daily, you’ll eventually become angry and resentful, if not burn out. Think about what fills you up and brings you joy, and incorporate more of that into your life each day.
7. Take Action. Success loves speed. It’s about progress, not perfection. Taking action creates momentum and, in return, momentum creates confidence. The more action you take, the more likely you’ll get closer to the results you desire. Commit to yourself that you will take small, targeted actions every day that bring you one step closer to your dreams and goals.
—Kelly Lynn Adams is a motivational speaker, certified professional leadership coach and author. She created The After 5 Club Movement to help women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders overcome obstacles that block their paths to success and start to live the life of their dreams.
