There’s a long list of things that can be bad for business. Are your bad habits on that list? Check yourself with these four common bad habits of young small business owners.

1. Wasting time

It’s so easy to make excuses for procrastination, one of the biggest bad habits of small business owners. 

Sure, you’re watching the same Tik Tok dance for the tenth time. But it’s not really wasting time. It’s market research about other teens and young adults, right?

Find a balance between working on your business and taking a fun break. Make it a habit to only check for emails twice or three times daily and have planned breaks for being on social media apps and sites.

2. Having no plans

Planning for the future is hard, especially with the coronavirus pandemic. You still need to think about what you want your business to look like in a month, a few months, a year, and beyond. Then decide what steps will help you meet those goals. 

The great thing about plans is that they can be changed during unexpected events. And it’s better to change your plans when facing problems, than to be caught with no plan at all.

3. Trying to do all the things by yourself

You might be your business’ only employee. But you don’t have to do everything. Look for friends and family members who can help you with social media marketing, maintaining your website, communicating with customers, and other parts of your business.

4. Fear 

Running a business can seem scary, even when there’s not a global pandemic. It’s okay to admit being worried about failure, making decisions, and having other fears that are common for young entrepreneurs.

But being afraid can hurt your success when you spend too much time focusing on your fears. Change your focus to the steps, even the small ones, you can take to grow your business.

Final Thoughts on Bad Habits of Young Small Business Owners

Nobody’s perfect. But you can prevent your bad habits from possibly hurting your business. Here’s a quick recap of how to overcome common bad habits of small business owners.

  • Procrastinating again? Have set times for social media, checking email, and breaks.
  • Don’t have a plan? Set short-term and long-term goals for your business.
  • Trying to do it all? Ask friends and family to help you, so you can get more tasks done.
  • Feeling scared? That’s okay. Focus on what steps you can take to grow your business.

Use these tips to stay productive and to make your business an awesome success.

Photo by Manan Chhabra on Unsplash