4 Project Management Tips for Non-Project Managers

​When you run your own business you become a Jack of all trades. It’s a great opportunity to develop all kinds of skills you probably never thought you would need, but it can also be overwhelming and lead to a lot of mistakes as you take on new responsibilities for which you were never trained. Project manager is one of those roles many small business owners take on without any training, so here are some tips to help you avoid some of the most common mistakes new project managers tend to make.

​Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

As small business owners, it’s easy for us to get distracted. There are always so many things to do and new things to try that we often lose sight of the end goal, but it’s important to keep your eyes on the prize. What is it you really want to accomplish in your business? How will this project help you achieve that goal?

​That same thought process can be applied to each project individually, as well as your overall business goals. Each project should have a clear beginning and a clear end with goals you want that project to achieve. By keeping those end goals in mind, you’ll be better able to stay focused throughout the process and make better decisions about what the project needs and what’s a waste of time and resources.

​Define Your Goals

I just mentioned the importance of making sure you keep your goals in mind through each stage of the process, but in order to do that, you first need to define your goals. Remember they need to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time sensitive in order to be considered SMART goals, and for more information on that, you can check out my blog post on goal-setting tips.

​Ask for Help

​As small business owners, we often have a hard time asking for help, but at the same time, the ability to ask for help is crucial to being able to finish your projects and achieve your goals. Whether you need someone with a specific skill set to help you finish a certain project, or you just need your friends and family to give you some space while you dive headfirst into your business, the key is to communicate what’s going on and what you need so the people in your life can give it to you.

​Hire a Project Manager

These days I call myself a business coach, but with my long history working in the corporate world as a marketer and project manager, I have brought that skill set to several of my clients to help them manage their projects. I also help them find more time in their schedule to enjoy life and spend time with family, either by managing their projects for them, or by helping them identify the areas in their business where their time and energy could have the most powerful impact. If any of this sounds like something you could use for your business, reach out today to schedule a FREE clarity call.