If you’re a small business martyr, the chances are you actually lack confidence in yourself. Start to build yourself up – it’s your business. You bought it or started it and you are in complete control. Or are you?
If your business isn’t going well, it can be tempting to blame those around you. The fact is, as the business owner, the ultimate responsibility is yours and yours alone. You make the business related decisions – or you should – and the outcome is all yours. Own it and you’ll be able to move on.
Try these steps to put an end to your martyrdom –
- Screen new employees carefully; Test them, ask them dozens of questions; trial them – whatever you have to do to ensure you’re selecting someone with the skills you need.
- Train them properly.
- Give encouragement and thanks at every opportunity – they might be getting paid to do a job but survey after survey has revealed that appreciation and acknowledgement are bigger factors in job satisfaction than the amount of money earned.
- Don’t make a big fuss when errors are made. Deal with it professionally and calmly. When it’s done properly, offer praise or appreciation.
Perhaps you don’t want to stop being a martyr. Martyrdom has its rewards – people always feel sorry for you! Of course, that’s because they can see that you don’t know any better, not because they believe all your complaints are true!
Not being a martyr however, has bigger rewards – you really will feel in control of your business. You’ll quickly grow to appreciate your competent employees as you’re able to take a little time off now and again – and best of all, you’ll be freeing up your time so that you can focus on growing your business.
How do you know if you are a small business martyr? Check out Part 1 for the signs to look for.
Let’s discuss: Do you find it hard to give up control in your business? I do! Although I am a firm believer in empowering and encouraging staff, I am as guilty as anyone of wanting to “do it all myself” (or worse, re-doing acceptable work my own way). What about you?
Article by Christie Lewis
Christie is Practice Manager at Alan Lewis Accountants . Besides accounting, her passion is for all things small business (and blogging, of course). You can contact Christie directly at christie@lewistaxation.com.au.
Christie has written 799 awesome articles for us at Alan Lewis Accountants – BLOG
Twitter: @christielewis
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