What are the habits you need to give up for your business to thrive?

Entrepreneurship can be a rewarding journey, but it's best to travel light

Learning to delegate is an important part in avoiding burnout when starting your business, says columnist Manar Al Hinai.

When entrepreneurs decide to embark on their business journeys, they are often advised to make room for new additions to their lives – be it people, skills, or lessons. My mentor advised me to learn a new thing every day, and to never rest on my laurels. And when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, the investment I made in myself in the past years came in handy.

One of the most valuable lessons bestowed upon us by the pandemic is the importance of acquiring a diverse set of skills and how habits such as flexibility could save our business during challenging times. It taught me to personally appreciate all the hours I dedicated to learning new skills and as a result I was able to withstand these challenging times.

With the pandemic providing many of us with the time to think about our aspirations, entrepreneurship is a popular route being considered by many. And as many make room for the additions entrepreneurship will bring to their lives, there are many habits we need to give up that can hinder our growth and stand between us and our success. Here are five habits you should kick if you want your business to thrive.

Give up working all the time

When I launched my first business years ago, everybody advised me to work hard, especially during the first couple of years. What I didn’t know was that I didn’t needed to work all the time. Unfortunately, we live in a world where overwork is glorified. We may feel guilty when we compare ourselves to others’ social media feeds and think that we aren’t working hard enough.

The truth, however, is that more work doesn’t necessarily yield more productivity. If anything, it will backfire in the long run. Dedicate certain hours to your business, and in these hours give it your best. But after that, you also need to give time to yourself. Without proper rest, you won’t be able to achieve your goals.

Give up comparing yourself to others

As entrepreneurs, we often look at our competitors and compare our performance to theirs. While it’s essential to see what the competition is up to, don’t make it your sole focus. Keep in mind that we are all going through our own set of challenges and businesses would rather show off their achievements rather than their struggles. Focus on your offering, on your customers and on developing your business.

Give up taking everything to heart

It is normal to seek the advice of friends and family members about your business, but don’t take everything they say to heart. Sometimes, advice is offered by people who aren’t experienced in your field and it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s right or that you are doing something wrong. This is why it’s important to cultivate a network of professionals or a mentor who you trust to gain advice and feedback. You can serve as each other’s sounding boards and dedicate specific times to meet and discuss your business in-person or online.

Give up micromanaging

When I started my first business, I was overseeing everything from customer service to web development because I didn’t trust that anyone would be able to do it better than me. I then suffered from burnout and didn’t have the time to develop my business because I was busy with administrative tasks. Learn to delegate. Hire freelancers online if you are on a tight budget but don’t let micromanagement kill your business.

Give up thinking that you don’t have what it takes

When my first business took off and I received acknowledgments, I started doubting myself. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs deal with Imposter Syndrome – feeling that they aren’t as competent as people perceive them to be. By giving in to that, you can become your business’s worst enemy. Working hard and being persistent pays off – and if that’s what you’ve been doing, you should be proud of yourself. Always remember, if others can do it, so can you.

Entrepreneurship has been one of the most rewarding journeys I’ve been on. And as with any journey, it’s best to travel light. Give up on habits that could hinder your growth.