When you work full time, you may think you don’t have time to run a business. However, many, including myself, actually started their businesses while working full-time. Starting your business while working full time has many benefits, however, there are also many challenges. When potential entrepreneurs consult with me, I typically hear the same concerns. This post will address one of those concerns: that of becoming overwhelmed by one or both endeavors. This is a valid concern, however there are steps you can take to ensure the running a business and working full time won’t bowl you over.
- Delegate, delegate, delegate: This was one of the hardest things for me to do, yet one of the most fulfilling when I took the leap of faith and hired my first team member. I was unsure of the integrity and work ethic of those I might hire. However, if you have a good hiring process, you will weed out bad candidates quickly, so that they don’t ruin your reputation. Look for team members who are looking to truly add value to your business and help your clients. You don’t want team members who only want some extra, while providing sub-par work. When you find stellar team members, don’t micro-manage, unless you see a problem. Allow good workers to manage things, while you are working your full time job and you won’t regret it.
- Schedule a day off: Take a day that is just for you. Don’t work on the business or the full time job. This will help prevent overwhelm as well. You’ll find that you come back to both your business and your job refreshed when you’ve had a day solely dedicated to yourself and the people and activities you love. If you can extend this to more than one day by all means do so!
- Automate processes: Once you’ve got a system down pat, either in your business or on your full time job, find a way to automate the process. Automating things and creating systems, will ensure you can enjoy free time during your work day. This too will help prevent overwhelm.
What suggestions do you have for those who want to run a business, while working full time?
This is Shilonda Downing, signing out for Virtual Work Team.
Shilonda this is good. I Only work parttime, but this is good advice for me. I would add that getting a mentor is good and you’ve really helps me. 🙂
Thank you Wilma! It’s a pleasure to be a mentor and you have an advantage in working part-time because you have more time to devote to your various hobbies that you can eventually turn into a business. Your love of knitting is a good example. Thanks so much for adding this important element to preventing overwhelm. A mentor can truly help in that.
Shilonda
One suggestion that I want to add here will be to set priorities. It will really help to see things which need most attention to the least one.
Great thoughts Shilonda, this is surely going to benefit those who are walking both paths and finding difficulties. 🙂
Hi Jack:
Yes, I totally agree that setting priorities is a good point to note. If something in your business is more pressing than your job, maybe you can have your team address that immediately if you have to work. Thanks for chiming in!
Shilonda
Managing your business while having a full time job is a big responsibility and this article points some important factors such as, having a smart hardworking team and relaxing your mind and body to work effectively.
Thanks for the chiming in and the nice compliment on the article Andy. I agree, it is a big responsibility, and I do hope these tips will help those who are beginning to feel overwhelmed. Thanks again!
Shilonda
I agree scheduling a day off, not working on either business or job is very important to avoid that feeling of burning the candle at both ends! It can already be a challenge balancing work and home, so if you’re running a business in addition to that, you must take time out for yourself to alleviate feeling overwhelmed!
Thanks so much for chiming in that you are in agreement Michelle!
Shilonda