Many of us start home businesses in industries where we already feel like experts. Whether we have adequate education, tons of experience, or a combination of both—it is often only after several years of working in a particular industry that we start to feel like we have enough expertise to go solo. Once we start our businesses, however, we may start to feel a bit inadequate (often for the first time in years.) After all, we are being called upon to use skill sets that we may not have needed in previous, more traditional jobs—and we are the only one who needs to manage everything. You may start to ask yourself if there is any way you can get better at what you now do (and how quickly can you scale the learning curve?)
There are some solutions that can seem obvious—taking a class or going back to school to fill in some of the gaps. Many of us do not have the time to do this, however, and we may need to get better at what we do pronto! Consider a trip to the library for books in your specialty or even an online search may result in some great resources to help you improve your skills. For quick answers, calling a mentor or a fellow colleague can be one way to improve things or problem solve in the heat of the moment.
The first step is to admit that you need to make improvements or that there is room for improvements. This can be a tough first step for many. Once you acknowledge that you can get better at what you do, searching for the training and answers can be rewarding and reassuring. Not to mention, it can give you more confidence and help you do a better job at building your business.
See Also: Scheduling Your Work Week