6 Tips to Running a Business and Improving Your Education How to run a business and keep adding tools to your toolbox at the same time.
By Scott Langdon •
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Every business owner has to wear a lot of different hats. For most entrepreneurs, education is a big reason for success. Yet, those same businesses often cut their own education programs. So how do you keep that momentum going and find time for education when you run a company? Check out a few tips below to help.
1. Give away some of your less important responsibilities
Weigh your responsibilities and what you can gain from education. No matter what education you're considering, it's important to understand what you have to gain -- and what you have to lose. If you have smaller responsibilities at your company you can pass off to a business partner or an employee, you can open up time for education without skipping a beat.
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2. Give your whole company a personal education day
You shouldn't feel guilty for taking time away from your company for educational purposes (especially if it's for the good of the company, as discussed above). However, you may want to consider giving all of your employees a day off to try some sort of education together.
You can also offer a day to volunteer as an alternative.
3. Take it one class at a time
For many entrepreneurs, finding time for education means going slowly. It may seem overwhelming to go back to school part-time because you have too many responsibilities in your company. If this is the case, then don't do it! Consider just taking one course at a time.
It may not seem appealing to take so long to get a certification, but it's better than not learning at all.
If you are an entrepreneur who just wants to learn more for the sake of learning (and not for a degree or certification), Udemy courses are a great option. They allow you to take your time with lessons so that you can get everything done. Udemy teachers tend to be business owners and professionals more often than at a place like Coursera, which offers more classes from real professors.
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4. Create a schedule to make sure you have time for it all
Make a schedule of your business and personal life. This means map out everything -- even free time. Many entrepreneurs assume they don't have time, but they could surprise themselves if they actually took the time to block out their schedules.
5. Make sure you have support from others
Although this may not help you find time for education, it's important to note so you don't get too overwhelmed. If you're thinking that you've finally found the time to seek additional education, you need to make sure you have the support of your family and your business partner or company. Otherwise, your education will be more difficult and, potentially, not worth it in the end.
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6. Don't forget: You're improving your business sense everyday
Always remember that, even if you're not able to take as many classes as you would like, you're still learning everyday -- owning your own business is the ultimate test. If you need to put your formal education on hold to focus on your company, that's okay.
Then, when you have the time to follow some of the tips above, you can just add another element to the education you're already earning every day.
