As we enter into a new phase of our lives it can be stressful and lonely starting a business for the first time. From my research it appears that most of us starting a business later in life have a home office to begin with. Working from home certainly has its advantages but, it also has its downfalls.
You have more than likely worked in an office with fellow employees and when there were decisions to be made for projects you either had a meeting to discuss or talked to fellow employees and asked for their ideas and suggestions. That’s not the case when you work from home task management app. Who do you have to talk to? Who will you be able to bounce ideas off of? You will more than likely second guess every decision you make – some will work, others won’t. You get frustrated and can’t think straight and could be at a standstill with your business.
If you are finding it stressful, or even if you aren’t, as a business owner you should have an advisor(s). An advisor will guide you through the difficult and time consuming decisions you are trying to make on your own.
How advisors will help you:
- They ask you the right questions to make you think long and hard about what you want to achieve. After all, it is your business and you must take responsibility for your actions.
- You don’t have to feel alone. Advisors are there to remind you that help is there to guide you through the tough decisions. Don’t be quick to jump into a relationship.
- Before choosing an advisor, have an initial meeting to see if you feel comfortable with each other. Not everyone will be a fit so don’t make a quick decision. Take your time and find someone who you feel you can work with and has an interest in your business.
- Don’t waste your advisors time by not following through on what has been discussed. It is up to you to decide whether you like the advice or not, but don’t waste the time or money by not following through on what you and your advisor have discussed and agreed upon.
How do you find an advisor?
Ask someone you know if they would like to be your advisor. Another way is to think of all the contacts you have made over the years. If none of them fit ask them if they know of someone you can reach out to. As stated earlier, don’t be in a rush to choose an advisor. Have an initial meeting to see if you are can work with each other. If not, don’t worry, you will find someone that you will feel comfortable with and who will be interested in your business. It is better to find someone that wants to work with you to help you succeed than not.
Don’t get hung up on the age of the advisor – they don’t have to be the same age as you are. Both my advisors are younger than I am but very experienced in the field of business.
Take it from me, my advisors have put me on the right path and my head is much clearer and I’m more productive than I was before. You will be too!