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One of the hardest things about business ownership is learning to control yourself!
I’m not talking about skipping desert. I’m talking about controlling your thoughts and actions at work.
This argument could be made for just about anyone at their job but as the owner of a business it can be even more important.
Controlling yourself comes in many forms……
-Distractions-
This is a big killer of productivity and momentum. I’m not talking about those little things that interrupt your day. I’m talking about the big things.
It’s the big idea that’s going to make you a millionaire in the next 30 days. You invest time and energy (and usually lots of it) in this new venture and lose focus on your core business.
This loss of focus makes everything in your business slide downhill. You may think everything’s fine when in reality things are suffering and you just don’t notice it.
Learn to recognize those moments when things are getting off track.
Is this new venture really important to you? Does it have meaning personally or provide an important supplement to your current business? If you can’t answer yes to these two questions it’s time to drop it and focus on what you’re good at.
-Objectivity-
The concept of the objective business owner can apply to most small businesses and I’ll discuss a couple different situations where objectivity in necessary.
Most importantly, it applies to your everyday dealings with clients.
Most clients don’t want to hear your stance on the upcoming political election. They don’t want to hear an impassioned speech about why the incumbent is an idiot.
If they’re republican and you bleed blue they’re going to get uncomfortable or angry around you. This hurts your credibility with them and they feel they no longer relate to you. This hurts your business and reputation.
I’ll never forget a meeting I had with a potential client a few years ago. This guy was passionate about his political affiliation. There wasn’t even an election coming and he was sitting in his kitchen pounding his hand on the table screaming about political issues.
Not only was I turned off, I was downright scared.
This guy was crazy and I wanted nothing to do with him. Don’t subject your clients to anything close to this behavior. Even if you think they agree with you.
Put a lid on it.
The other type of objectivity is for those of you in the creative world. Not everyone has the same tastes you do. This can go for clothes, colors or even artwork.
I have to be cautious about this when working with a client on remodeling their home. They might like certain styles that I find ugly. I have to learn to put my feelings aside and create something special just for them.
All that matters is the client’s satisfaction.
I want them to be happy with their newly remodeled space. Who cares if I don’t like part, or all of it? I don’t have to live there.
-Fiscal Responsibility-
This is another one I’ve lived and regretted.
When you have profits and money coming into your company, don’t spend it all!
In the heyday of the building boom our company was doing well. What did we do with the profits of our business? We spent it on tools and new trucks that we really didn’t need.
What a waste of resources and hard work! I look back on some of those decisions with big time regret.
Make sure you save some of what you’re making for when times get tough (like now). Sit on some of that cash for a rainy day. It will save you a lot in interest charges later on when things get tight and you need the money.
Spend profits on necessary things and think about the financial decisions you’re making.
-Professionalism-
We have an office in a very large historic building. The management company for the building has two property managers. A man and a woman.
The woman, Kim, dresses nicely and has a very professional attitude.
The man, Jack, dresses like a slob and is not very professional.
I can never understand why Kim lets him get away with this. He wears shorts, t-shirts and casual shoes all the time. His clothes are always ratty with stains and paint on them.
They manage a building the size of a city block with hundreds of units both business and residential.
Why is he dressed like a slob?
This goes for you in your business too. How are you perceived by your clients? What kind of attitude do you portray in dress and personality?
Don’t tell off color jokes and swear all the time. People may laugh or put up with it when in reality, they find it a turn-off.
I believe in you being genuine and not pretending. Find a happy medium so you’re not turning people off with a lack of professionalism.
People will like you for who you are even when you don’t tell dirty jokes.