7 Tips to Build a Business While Working a Day Job

Many people dream of leaving their nine-to-five jobs
to start their own businesses. Many successful
entrepreneurs had to keep their day jobs until they
reached a point in their businesses when it was
feasible to quit. This transition time can be stressful
and difficult, especially when you don’t enjoy your
job, but it doesn’t have to be
While ambition is important, it is not always enough
to move you forward. Maintaining your motivation
and drive during your transition from employee to
entrepreneur is crucial. It’s easy to veer off
course and get discouraged during this transitional
phase. Here are some actions you can start taking
immediately while you’re still at your day job that will
keep you on track and moving forward.
1. Get crystal clear on your reason for
starting your business.
Connecting with your “why” is the most important
first step you can take. Maybe you are motivated by
being your own boss, financial independence, time
freedom, creative expression, being home with your
kids or helping others. Whatever your reason,
knowing what motivates and drives you is what will
keep you focused and committed to your dream
when times get difficult.
2. Commit yourself to your dream.
Having the desire for something to work vs.
committing to it are vastly different. When you
commit to your dream, you are making a binding
obligation to see it through to success. It means you
are “all in,” you find solutions when faced with
obstacles and you don’t quit, no matter what. Make
that pledge to yourself, and then tell the people in
your life.
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3. Create a personal vision for your
business.
Think about what you want in your business a year
from now and write it down. Be very specific and
detailed. Describe in great detail in the present
tense your ideal day, what activities you engage in,
who your customers/clients are, how many
customers/clients you have and what your monthly
income is.
Read your vision aloud every morning and evening,
focusing completely on the end result -- your vibrant,
flourishing business. By keeping your focus on the
result, you will be able to make the day-to-day
choices to ignore any negative thoughts that may
arise.
4. Join a mastermind group.
A mastermind group is a peer-to-peer mentoring
group that meets regularly to support each other,
brainstorm ideas and share advice and work through
challenges together. A mastermind group can be
excellent for helping you stay accountable and
motivated.
There are mastermind groups that meet in person,
online or on the phone. To find a mastermind group,
Meetup is a great place to start. If you cannot find
one to join, then create your own with people who
are also starting a business.
Related: 10 Essentials for Launching a Business
While Juggling Your Day
5. Immerse yourself in learning.
Research and study anything you can find that is
pertinent to your business. The Internet provides an
abundance of valuable information on building a
successful business. Take courses, hire a coach or
find a mentor. Listen to podcasts or audiobooks
during your morning commute. The more you learn
and become an expert in your area, the more self-
assured, motivated and successful you will be.
6. Stay positive about your day job.
Every day, acknowledge something you appreciate
about your job. Perhaps you enjoy your co-workers
or always having holidays off. Maybe it’s just the free
coffee or your comfortable chair.
The point is to look for the good things. The more
you focus on what is positive about your current
situation, the more success you will bring to all
situations, including your business. Negative
thoughts drain your energy, making it far more
difficult to move forward with your dream.
7. Set daily goals.
Take small, measurable action steps each day toward
your business, understanding there will be times
when it seems like you are making no progress at all.
Much of the work, in the beginning, will be
tedious day-to-day tasks. Realize it is all part of
building your business. By taking steps each day,
which includes doing the mundane, you will start
seeing results. The more progress you make, the
more confidence and determination you have to keep
moving forward.
By taking these actions while still working your day
job, you will stay focused, motivated and committed
to making your dream a reality. It will also make the
time spent at your job seem to go by faster.