Stop Making These Mistakes! What I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Business

Starting your own business? It’s exciting, right? But let me tell you, it’s also a learning curve. I’m Bree, a video producer and strategist. I run The Jadency House, my own agency where we dive into all things social media and business. When I first started out, I stumbled a lot. It was a trial-and-error process, for sure! I’m sharing the things I wish I’d known to maybe save you some headaches.

Stop Overthinking and Start Doing

Okay, I’m a planner. Type A all the way! I love brainstorming, mapping out creative processes, and thinking through every little detail. But honestly? Sometimes, that just drained my energy. Energy I could’ve used to actually do the work!

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Make decisions faster and just start. I love my productivity tools – agendas, color-coded highlighters, the works. But at the end of the day, those are useless unless you take action.

I could spend hours thinking about the perfect Instagram post, only to realize I could have already created three decent ones in that time! Are you the same way? Sometimes “good enough” is better than waiting for “perfect.”

Setting Boundaries to Avoid Burnout

When you launch a business, especially one you’re passionate about, it can take over your life. I learned that fast. In the beginning, I was working every single day. Weekends? Forget about it! I’d answer messages at 11 PM. Okay, I still do that sometimes, but I’ve gotten way better about setting boundaries.

And it’s so important, not just with clients, but with yourself. If you don’t, burnout is a surefire outcome. Now, if I have a day off, I really take it off. No Slack, no email, no Upwork. I set clear working hours and stick to them. It’s saved my sanity. Trust me, it’s okay to disconnect!

The Trap of Instant Gratification and Comparison

Let’s be real. We live in a world of instant gratification. It’s easy to get caught up in where you think you should be. Or to compare yourself to others who seem miles ahead. Social media definitely fuels that fire.

I remember when I started. I’d see these established freelancers and think, “How am I ever going to get there?” But good things take time. Good things take time! There’s no magic shortcut. Having unrealistic expectations is just unhealthy. I wish I could have told myself to take a chill pill. When you’re constantly focused on where you think you should be, you’re just setting yourself up for unhappiness.

The Power of Consistency and Small Improvements

Last year, I read “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. I really loved the concept that if you get just one percent better every day for a year, you’ll end up 37 times better by the end! That’s why consistency is key. You don’t need big overnight changes. Little by little, you’ll improve. It might take six months to really see how far you’ve come. But it’s an approachable method, and it works! Even small, consistent effort adds up big time.

You can find “Atomic Habits” here: Atomic Habits by James Clear.

Don’t Trap Yourself: You Create Your Own Reality

As an entrepreneur or freelancer, you have the freedom to design your work, your life, everything! But sometimes, you get so caught up in what you’ve built that you forget you can change it.

I did this when I was facing burnout. I thought I had to keep living that way. Then, I realized, “Wait a minute, I created this! I can change it.” Remember, things can always change. You create your own reality. Keep that in mind if you’re ever unhappy.

Study Successful People (But Stay True to Yourself)

Study people you admire. See what they did and how they got where they are. This is something you should always be doing! Even if your path looks different, it’s helpful to see common patterns. It’s like having a blueprint.

But don’t compare yourself directly to them. Your path will be different. Stay true to yourself! It’s a tricky balance, but a crucial one.

Trust Your Instincts and Find a Mentor

Imposter syndrome is real. You’re going to feel it. But trust your instincts! You usually know what’s right for you. Even if you’re scared, trust that inner voice. Even if things don’t work out as planned, you won’t betray yourself.

Find someone you can talk to – a business coach or a mentor. Mentors are amazing! They can give you a bird’s-eye view of your situation. When you’re stuck in the weeds, it’s hard to see the bigger picture. A mentor provides a different perspective. Plus, it’s just nice to connect with someone who understands.

Find Your Flow: Work When and How You Thrive

What works best for you? That’s your flow. If you’re a night owl, work at night! Don’t force yourself into a 9-to-5 schedule if it doesn’t suit you. That’s the beauty of entrepreneurship!

I, for instance, like working on weekends. Weird, right? But most of my clients aren’t blowing up my phone then. I get a large chunk of uninterrupted time to focus. By Monday, I feel way more prepared.

Prioritize Tasks Using the Time Management Matrix

Have you read ” The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey? One of my favorite parts is the Time Management Matrix. It’s based on urgency and importance. It’s especially helpful when you’re setting your own schedule.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Quadrant 1: Urgent and Important: Crises, deadlines, pressing problems. Handle these first.
• Quadrant 2: Not Urgent and Important: Relationship building, recreation. This is where you should focus for long-term success.
• Quadrant 3: Urgent and Not Important: Some phone calls, emails, reports. Minimize these distractions.
• Quadrant 4: Not Urgent and Not Important: Busy work, time wasters. Eliminate these completely.

For example, I work in social media. Research is part of my job. But sometimes, that research turns into just consuming content for fun, without actually getting any work done!

Try categorizing your tasks into these quadrants. It’s eye-opening! Learning to prioritize is a fantastic time management tool.

So, those are some of the things I wish I knew before starting my business. I hope you found this helpful! Remember to trust yourself, set boundaries, and don’t be afraid to change things up.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe to my channel for more tips on social media and business. You can also find more resources and work with me on my website: www.briannajade.com. And be sure to check out my TikTok!

As a thank you, here’s a link to free hooks you can use for your videos: Free TikTok Hooks.

Good luck with your business! You got this!