Do you run your own business? Are you working 24/7 to make ends meet? Are you looking to thrive not just survive? Check out this top 5 list for surviving hustle culture as an entreprenuer.
1. Raise your prices! If you are working non-stop smashing deadlines for breakfast, great! That means you are in demand my friend! Your next step is to raise your prices. Start small by upping your rates incrementally on new clients. Then when you’re ready for it, let your steady clients know that your rates have increased by x amount. You may lose a little business from those looking for the cheapest deal in town but that lost business will open up some downtime for you and with your increased rates you can afford to relax.
2. Outsource! Repeat after me. I do not need to be a one person show. Hire a social media manager to handle your ‘gram. Hire a designer to handle your branding and website (wink wink). Perhaps you need a little extra childcare or someone to come in once a week to clean. There is no shame in reaching out for help. In fact hiring other small businesses fortifies the small business landscape and frees you up some time for rest and relaxation.
3. Set your boundaries and stick to them! This will be harder for some than others, but one of the biggest ways we achieve rest and peace is by saying no. We need to carve out space to recharge. So if that means telling your client you will get back to them next week, or not picking up that phone at 4:55 on Friday, do it. You can’t fill others from an empty cup.
4. Pick your clients carefully. We’ve all had that potential client that we just KNOW is gonna be a massive pain in the patoot. Save yourself the aggravation and send them packing. Life is too damn short.
5. Choose your marketing wisely. You do not need to dominate all of social media plus have a YouTube channel, podcast, newsletter and blog going simultaneously. Pick the marketing techniques you feel most at home with (I recommend no more than 1 or 2) and slay them. I’ve eschewed doing much on the ‘gram as the ever changing algorithm just isn’t my thing. I’ve always loved blogs and the written word and their beautiful consistency so I stick to blogging and a newsletter. Find what works for you and do it with aplomb!
Do you have any hot tips for surviving the hustle and running a business while still fitting in time for naps and long walks? I’d love to hear it. Drop me your thoughts in the comments.