One common thing that you will discover about most entrepreneurs is that have a lot of confidence. This is especially true when they embark on a new business. Being an entrepreneur requires you to have self-assurance because you are immersing yourself in a world of risks. But this does not mean that being confident is always a good thing. Sometimes too much confidence can lead to you developing an ego, which makes you unaware of how your decisions; this may do more harm than good.
When you start your own business, your intention is to succeed by building an enterprise that rewards your efforts. Therefore, you operate with the long-term in mind. You can never see yourself just quitting on your business because things get a little tough. But, there are times when you need to look at your business with an objective mindset. You should analyze if your continued efforts are worth the trouble. By doing so, you may find that continuing on your current path is a futile effort.
You may be questioning making such a decision at this very moment, but your ego refuses to give into “defeat”. If you need to learn if it is time to quit your business and move on, we have created a list of trying circumstances that should help you make the best decision for yourself.
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Your business falls apart the moment you step away
Anyone who starts a business should already know that it is going to take a lot of hard work. This includes putting in long hours to build it from the ground up. While this is true, you should not continue to operate in this manner for the duration of your business’s existence. There should come a point in time when you start overseeing your business like a true CEO.
Now, this does not mean that you will not be working hard as your business grows. But the difference between working in your business and working on your business is having the freedom to step away from your business from time to time. A true business owner works to grow their business. Conversely, a struggling owner has to work the mechanics of their business to keep it maintained. If you are doing this, your business is nothing more than a self-created job.
The goals when starting a business should include the following: acquire customers quickly and expand, hire employees to handle the day-to-day tasks, and you leading the way without having to micromanage. If you have had your business for years and this is not how it operates, it may be time for you to consider calling it quits or sell it to someone else. This person could be someone who knows how to put the right systems in place. Of course, you can try to do it yourself. But if nothing changes within 12-18 months, it is most certainly time to move on to the next venture.
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You are constantly feeling fatigued and sick
Even though long hours are required as an entrepreneur, your body can only take so much before it starts to break down. If you are always tired, your business could be taking a toll on you physically. Entrepreneurs pride themselves on working extremely hard. But this mentality can be unhealthy when you are slowly killing yourself as a result. Plus, the more stress you place yourself under, the greater your risk of developing mental illnesses such as depression.
If you are dealing with these health-related issues, you need to reassess how your business is running your life. If you cannot find the time to take care of yourself, this means your business has too much control over you. You are literally running yourself into an early grave, and that is a problem that must be corrected immediately.
You need to step aside from your business for a day or two to assess if you can change your daily involvements within it. This does not mean that you have to walk away altogether. But you should definitely be delegating more responsibilities to your employees. If this cannot be done, you need to consider walking away from your business before it causes significant damage to your health.
Related Article: 9 Tips for Creating a Successful Lifestyle
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You have no repeat customers and must always find new ones
The lifeline for all businesses, no matter the industry, is sales. The way you bring leads into your sales pipeline is by having good marketing. You retain the customers you have acquired by providing value and administering great customer service. If your process is broken within these functions, your ability to acquire and retain customers will suffer. Unfortunately, this is the issue many business owners deal with. However, they are clueless as to why they cannot keep customers.
You should always be on the hunt to grow your customer base, so your business can continue to grow and make more money. But if you are constantly on this hunt because your business does not have a consistent flow of money, you have a big problem on your hands. If this is the case, you need to analyze your business’s marketing, sales, and customer service processes. This will help you learn where the shortcomings are and correct the issue.
If nothing changes after solutions have been implemented, it is probably in your best interest to close your doors and try starting a new venture. You do not want to continue to throw money at a problem that can never be fixed. Maybe your competition provides better solutions than you. Maybe you need to rebrand your business and focus on a new target market. Whatever the case may be, you do not want to continually struggle with a business that barely makes any money in the first place.
Related Article: 20 Tips to Increase Your Referrals
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You do not have the enthusiasm to work hard every day
If you wake up every day and struggle to pull yourself out of bed, your business has most likely become a chore rather than a labour of love. Entrepreneurs who are enthusiastic about their business wake up with the mindset to conquer the day. But if you would rather watch Netflix all day and do nothing, your business is no longer bringing any enjoyment into your life. Sooner than later, your business will be closed because you are no longer putting in the effort to keep it going.
If you are just holding on to the idea of your business because it is something you created, but you no longer work to improve it, you need to consider letting it go. You obviously no longer feel connected to it, and it is more of a hassle than a reward. Sure, there are times when you just need a break to clear your head. But if you find yourself doing this more than you actually work, you clearly are not in love with your business anymore. Free yourself from a commitment you no longer want to be tied to, and find something new that actually makes you happy.
Related Article: 8 Habits of Mentally Strong People
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Your business is a well-oiled machine that does not need you
The ultimate goal for all entrepreneurs is to build a business that operates on its own. Therefore, they will not need to be a part of its day-to-day process and have more free time. After all, you worked hard to grow your business, so you should be rewarded for your efforts.
But, if you find yourself spending more time away from your company in search of new challenges, it is probably time to start a new business. Serial entrepreneurs are always building new businesses and selling them once they are profitable. Then, they can start their next venture. This is the path that may be better suited for you. After all, some people enjoy the process of building a successful business more than the act of overseeing one. If this is the case, sell your business. Following which, you can take on a new challenge that you can completely immerse yourself into.
Having an exit strategy is something that all entrepreneurs need before they start their business. The goal is to know when it is time to move away from your business on your own terms. This could be better than being forced to do so before you actually want to. Starting a business is a serious endeavour to undertake. So, you want to be sure that you plan out its operational stages in totality instead of just guessing how it is supposed to go as time progresses.
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