Disciplines Required to Run a Small Business
Would you like to run your own small business? Have you an idea for a small business but do not think that you could make it work?
Are you bored from being an employee and yearn to become your own boss? Have you the required disciplines to run a small business? In this article I look at the type of disciplines that people need to possess to be able to successfully run a small business.
My name is Reggie Kerns and I have been traveling the country diagnosing and solving business problems for big corporations for the last 10 years now. Previously, I had been in operations management and even though I progressed well during my time, I’ve always been passionate about coaching and teaching. That passion has led to me to consulting for numerous small business and entrepreneurs in an effort to improve systems and process while, ultimately, driving performance.
I am currently a business coach specializing in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs to achieve operational excellence. I do this by carefully analyzing operational defects and applying solutions to the root cause of the problem.
I love what I do as it allows me to impact the top and bottom lines of a company’s income statement. I am able to help implement ideas and systems that create transformational change. I work hard to leave behind a useful set of business skills that positively reinforces great behaviors.
Self-belief is one of those necessary behaviors. It’s an important discipline that is required to be your own boss. If you have an inner belief and the self confidence that you will make the business succeed, then you will have a great chance to make it work. Hardships experienced through lack of sales, profits and consumer buy-in can bring about discouragement. You must not let that discourage you in a way that has a negative effect on the business. Instead, rise above the aforementioned issues by create a solve for each area of opportunity.
Great work ethic is another requirement if you are to be a success at running your own small business. It is very easy to become lazy and to watch too much television or to have an extra couple of hours in bed in the morning. Even though you may have nobody to answer to, you have to be of good character to ensure you put in the required number of hours and work. Sometimes that means working around the clock. As your own boss, you’ll get as much out as you put in. Self-accountability is an attribute that goes a long way when it comes to managing yourself.
I also think it is important to have a positive attitude. There will be periods when the business has setbacks. Everything going as planned is inevitable. This is where negativity may try to creep its way in. This can lead people into becoming very stressed and even depressed. One can’t underestimate the motivation that a positive attitude provides in times of despair. Being the boss causes for you to quickly pivot and get the train back on the tracks with an alternative route in mind.
Thinking in a positive way and applying solution-based ideas is the only way to react when things have veered off course. This will not be an easy task to perform, nevertheless, there is not enough time in the day to wallow in the misfortunes. Re-focus your mind on the business, plan accordingly and execute intentionally.
Lastly, is the necessity for self-improvement. You must learn from every mistake you make. Understand that mistakes will happen as they are a part of life. The key to success is ensuring that you bounce back from those mistakes in a timely manner.
Again, there is not enough time to beat yourself up over these errors. The job is to course correct then move on. We should always be looking at ways of improving the business as well as our own knowledge. Standing still and treading water is no way to continue.
Learn more about Small Business Basics by clicking here.