Prioritize Work Issues

Issues, issues, and more issues. Instead of tackling all issues at once, solve the most pressing or demanding ones immediately. The longer you procrastinate, the more entangled these issues become. Throughout the day, work on less demanding issues or delegate some of this work to employees.

Set some time aside to develop permanent solutions so you don’t have to continually deal with these issues. As a small business owner, you will always have to deal with problems. By prioritizing and getting into the habit of taking care of problems when they arise, you can increase productivity and have more fun at work.

Carve Out Personal/Family Time

Don’t forget that you’re a person first, then a small business owner. The ability to unwind and separate yourself from your business will pay off in spades down the road. Maintain contact with friends and family members, continue to pursue hobbies, and take joy in those little things – even if it seems counterintuitive or a waste of time.

Develop habits like shutting off your phone during meal times or during weekend family outings. Make sure to exercise and eat healthy, take naps, and indulge in doing nothing when possible. This time away from your business can actually help you generate new ideas, see things from a new perspective, and increase the joy of running a small business simply because you’re no longer chained to your desk all the time.

Listen, Evaluate, Make Decisions

Listen to yourself, partners, and employees when it comes to making changes to your business. Take time to evaluate various possibilities and how these changes will affect your business as a whole. Make your decisions and then stick with them. Get into the habit of reevaluating business decisions within 90 days to see if you’re on the right track. If not, make additional changes.

For more advice and insights into forming better business habits, read this article from Forbes Magazine. Forming new habits will take some time and effort on your part, but with a little practice, you can create strong, healthy business habits that will serve you well for years to come.