10 Tips on How to Be Your Own Boss

10 Tips on How to Be Your Own Boss

 Working for yourself comes with plenty of benefits, one of which is working without having a boss breathing down your neck and stressing you out. However, what many people who go into business for themselves don’t realize is that without a boss nagging¹ them it’s hard to stay focused and do the work that must be done. However, by following these tips you can keep on target and become the best boss you ever had.

1. Research Your Field

Don’t jump into self-employment completely blind, you need to know more about your field in order to keep your ideas fresh and to stay up to date with new innovations. Learn more about some of the obstacles people in your field must overcome and get some information about how to stay successful.

2. Create a Work Schedule

If you run your own business or storefront you likely have set hours of operation, but even if you don’t you should consider setting a work schedule for yourself. Working for yourself allows you to have the luxury to set whatever type of schedule you like, so if you like to sleep in or work only mornings you can do so. However, once you set your schedule you should stick to it and avoid the temptation to start work late or stop working early.

3. Set Goals

When you work for someone else you are usually given tasks to complete and goals to meet, so when you become your own boss you need to be sure to do the same thing. You should make a list of goals to accomplish each day and once you get in the habit of meeting each goal every work day, you should find ways to add new goals and accomplishments² to your daily work load. You should also have long-term goals, not only for your business but for your own career.

4. Reward Yourself for a Job Well Done

A good boss knows when to show workers a token of appreciation³, so when you accomplish big goals or do a particularly good job, don’t be afraid to reward yourself. Whether it’s treating yourself to a nice lunch or just buying a little something to liven up your work space, associating positive reinforcement with completing personal goals is a good way to ensure you keep trying to accomplish your goals.

5. Eliminate Distractions⁴

It can be hard to goof⁵ off at work when the boss is constantly watching, but when you are your own boss, it can be easier to become distracted. If you work from home you should consider setting up a work-only space and keeping it free of time wasters like a TV, magazines or your kids. If you can afford to do so, consider renting some office space to work in or set up a store front for your business.

6. Evaluate Your Progress

The benefit of having a boss is having someone to evaluate your progress as a worker on an annual basis. When you are your own boss, you have to practice the art of self-evaluation to make sure you are properly growing as a worker. This means looking both at the things you are doing that are working and the areas where you might need to improve. Brainstorm⁶ a few tangible⁷ ides for how you can improve upon your faults and better work towards your goals.

7. Dress for Success

Working for yourself can mean the ability to work in your underwear, but ask yourself how efficient you really are when you’re lounging around in your undies. Treat each work day like normal and do all of the things you would normally do before commuting⁸ to a job. Depending on your line of work you may not need to wear full business attire⁹, but even jeans and a T-shirt will make you feel ready to work more than wearing your pajamas¹⁰.

8. Schedule Breaks

You shouldn’t work yourself to death, so be sure to break up your work day with a break here or there. Without a boss waiting for you to get back from lunch, it can often be tempting¹¹ to waste a few hours before returning to work. Plan out a reasonable break schedule and stick to it.

9. Partner Up

There is strength in numbers, so don’t be afraid to turn your solo act into a duet. By adding another person to your business you have someone else to help take on tasks and to help keep you on task. You will find you work harder when you have someone else that is relying on you.

10. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Training

You might be skilled in a particular field but that doesn’t necessarily make you good at running your own company in that field. Consider going back to school or earning an online MBA to help you learn about good business practices and the basics of entrepreneurship.

These are only a few ways to stay motivated, focused and hard working when working for yourself, but the important thing to remember is that you get back what you put in when you work for yourself. In a big company the money you help the company make doesn’t always come back to you. When you work for yourself, the harder you work, the more money you can earn.

1 nagging   

adj.唠叨的，挑剔的；使人不得安宁的v.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的现在分词 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责

参考例句：

• Stop nagging—I'll do it as soon as I can. 别唠叨了—我会尽快做的。
• I've got a nagging pain in my lower back. 我后背下方老是疼。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

4 distractions   

n.使人分心的事[人]( distraction的名词复数 )；娱乐，消遣；心烦意乱；精神错乱

参考例句：

• I find it hard to work at home because there are too many distractions. 我发觉在家里工作很难，因为使人分心的事太多。
• There are too many distractions here to work properly. 这里叫人分心的事太多，使人无法好好工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 goof   

v.弄糟；闲混；n.呆瓜

参考例句：

• We goofed last week at the end of our interview with singer Annie Ross.上周我们采访歌手安妮·罗斯，结果到快结束时犯了个愚蠢的错误。
• You will never be good students so long as you goof around.如果你们成天游手好闲，就永远也成不了好学生。

6 brainstorm   

vi.动脑筋，出主意，想办法，献计，献策

参考例句：

• The women meet twice a month to brainstorm and set business goals for each other.她们每个月聚会两次，在一起出谋献策，为各自制定生意目标。
• We can brainstorm a list of the most influential individuals in the company.我们可以集体讨论，列出该公司中最有影响的人员的名单。

7 tangible   

adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的

参考例句：

• The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits.这项政策还没有带来任何实质性的好处。
• There is no tangible proof.没有确凿的证据。

8 commuting   

交换（的）

参考例句：

• I used the commuting time to read and answer my mail. 我利用上下班在汽车中的时间来阅读和答复给我的函电。
• Noncommuting objects are as real to the mathematicians as commuting objects. 对于数学家来说，不可交换的对象与可交换的对象是一样真实的。

9 attire   

v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装

参考例句：

• He had no intention of changing his mode of attire.他无意改变着装方式。
• Her attention was attracted by his peculiar attire.他那奇特的服装引起了她的注意。

10 pajamas   

n.睡衣裤

参考例句：

• At bedtime,I take off my clothes and put on my pajamas.睡觉时，我脱去衣服，换上睡衣。
• He was wearing striped pajamas.他穿着带条纹的睡衣裤。

11 tempting   

a.诱人的, 吸引人的

参考例句：

• It is tempting to idealize the past. 人都爱把过去的日子说得那么美好。
• It was a tempting offer. 这是个诱人的提议。