Owning a company often equips you not just with the tools to succeed in business but also in life. This rings especially true with task management – if you’re an entrepreneur or a small business owner hoping to get a better grasp on timekeeping, organization, critical thinking, communication, or stress relief, then you might just benefit from these handy tips.
Time Management
If there’s one requisite skill for business owners, it’s time management. Simultaneously keeping on top of deadlines, payments, meetings, and relationships is all just part of the business owner’s daily routine. Luckily, to help with this, we now have a multitude of software and apps that can alleviate some of the pressure. Many of these are multi-functional, meaning they have substantial value in a business context but also in day-to-day life. Have to pick up the kids from work? Don’t let the meeting overrun. Got a big deadline coming up next week? It might be worth rescheduling those catchup drinks on the night before.
If you haven’t already, it can also be worth investing in a smartwatch. Beyond their obvious use as a way to tell the time, smartwatches can be synced to other devices and help keep you on schedule when you have places to be and a lot to fit into your day. You can often use them to communicate quickly with members of the family or even close work colleagues, saving time on texting or emails.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is most aptly described as, “the ability to solve problems effectively by systematically gathering information about an issue, generating further ideas involving a variety of perspectives, evaluating the information using logic, and making sure everyone involved is on board.” Ultimately, it is the slow but assured means to approach a workday obstacle and ensure ‘buy-in’ from your colleagues or employees. The ability to think carefully and objectively about an issue has some application in ordinary life too, helping you to examine the implications and consequences of a belief or action, which can, in turn, improve your relationships and decision-making.
Communication
If you want to succeed as a small business owner, it’s crucial that you master communication in all its forms. This is important, not only as you try to negotiate deals and draw in new clients, but also as you learn to manage teams and create company togetherness. Oftentimes, it’s necessary to communicate the quantity of work and delegate some of the weight to others. For example, if you were looking to form an LLC (Limited Liability Company), you might allow ZenBusiness to carry out the admin and paperwork on your behalf – leaving you with more time to focus on work. It’s often misunderstood that workplace communication is a skill, which has to be learned. Once you have, it’ll help you to bypass any emotional barriers and convey ideas clearly.
Knowing how to communicate in a civil, controlled manner can help in a domestic context too. We don’t want to bring the formality of work back into our homes but knowing when to put emotions to the side and keep the message simple is an advantage in avoiding confrontations. Understanding work dialects can also help as you negotiate with business people when buying/selling a home, acquiring or claiming insurance, opening financial accounts, or even applying for a mortgage.
If you’re a small business owner, it’s crucial that you listen and learn task management skills early so that you can be at your best in and outside of the workplace.