If you’ve been keeping up with our recent strategic planning blog posts, then surely you’ve been goal setting, budget planning and staff evaluating all month long. But now, it’s time to take it to the next level. How can you be a better entrepreneur in 2014?
Surround yourself with success. Entrepreneur, Jim Rohn, suggests that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. So, when it comes to spending time with successful people, take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way – networking events, accountability groups, and lunches with coworkers and entrepreneurs who you admire.
Actively work on your weaknesses. This can be a difficult task, but try focusing on your weak points to help determine what you need to do to become more successful. It’s important to identify and constantly work on whatever is holding you back. After all, the only way to turn a weakness into a strength is by challenging it.
Make your goals specific and known. Goals are a great tool for motivation. And it doesn’t end with making yearly goals – entrepreneurs should make quarterly, monthly, weekly, and even daily goals as well. Take it to the next level by making these goals known to your employees. Put a whiteboard on your office door with a goal or two that you are working on and change it up whenever you feel inclined. Making your goals present to others will give you more incentive to work towards them.
Create a better working environment. I can’t stress enough how important it is to listen to your employees. Not just their needs and complaints, but to truly understand their personal life and motivations as well. What makes them tick? Additionally, find ways to keep everyone inspired. Allow time for small talk at the beginning of company meetings, or send out a comedic video during the workday. A quick laugh after lunch might be just what someone needs to recharge and refocus that afternoon.
Follow through to the finish line. You may have the greatest ideas in the world, but they won’t accumulate much success if they are not executed. Keep an ongoing list of workable ideas and don’t finish pouring love into them until they have come to fruition. Delegate tasks and put your employees in charge of manifesting their own ideas and strategies. After all, you can’t do everything yourself, but together you can make it through the finish line time and time again.
How are you becoming a better entrepreneur in 2014?
