STAPLES BizTIPs: Keep smiling in your small biz

By Small Business Expert Roger Pierce, BizLaunch

Life as an entrepreneur isn’t all smiles and chuckles. You may find yourself tight on cash, overwhelmed by multiple tasks and downright nervous about your business future. There will be times when you’ll feel frustrated, exhausted or stressed. 

Keeping your spirits up is therefore extremely important. Follow these suggestions to help turn any frowns upside down: 

• Take a break. The average self-employed person in Canada works 59 hours a week, which may result in “small business burnout.” Discipline yourself to take a breather every few hours and do something unrelated to work. Walk through the park, have coffee with a friend or go to the gym. Believe it or not, the work will still be there when you return.


• Get a hobby. Entrepreneurs typically have trouble “turning their minds off” when they leave work.  Always thinking about your business will stress you out – and the people you love. Find joy in a new hobby, activity or charity that has nothing to do with your entrepreneurial ambitions.


• Remember the corporate prison. Part of the fun of being one’s own boss is a chance to set your own schedule, take time off and get paid to do what you love. Bring a smile to your face by recalling those days when someone else called the shots. You’ll quickly remember how great it is to be an entrepreneur.

You can learn more about this and other how-to topics in a free STAPLES BizLaunch Webinar. To find one near you, please visit http://www.staples.ca/bizlaunch today.

 

ROGER PIERCE is passionate about helping entrepreneurs achieve success. Co-founder of Canada’s largest small business training company, BizLaunch.ca, he’s launched eleven small businesses of his own and personally experienced what he calls “the good, the bad and the ugly” sides of entrepreneurship.

BizLaunch advises thousands of Canadian startups through its popular how-to seminars and webinars delivered with partners such as STAPLES.