While your focus this time of year might be on giving your clients gifts, don’t overlook yourself. This year, you don’t need to put a bow on a present and put your name on it under the tree; you’re already reaping the benefit from some pretty fabulous gifts to yourself.
1. The Gift of Confidence
Every time you make a sale, get a great review from a customer, or get mentioned in the media, you feel pretty darn proud of yourself. Being an entrepreneur is a great confidence booster. After all, it takes guts to start a business from scratch and turn it into a lean, mean, money-making machine.
Bonus: Give yourself a pat on the back for all your hard work and success. You deserve it!
2. The Gift of Passion
Who do you know who can say they do what they’re passionate about every day? Unless all of your friends are entrepreneurs, you might be the only one. So while everyone else is moaning about how much they hate their jobs over dinner, know that you’re the lucky one who gets to do something you truly love.
Bonus: If you know someone else who’s passionate about something, encourage them to start a business, and give them lots of advice from your own experience.
3. The Gift of Profit
Admit it: you didn’t become an entrepreneur just because you’re passionate about something. You also wanted to make a little money as well. Whether you make a little or a lot, having the ability to generate revenue from your own hard work is worth commendation.
Bonus: Add yourself to your shopping list this year when you buy client or employee gifts. You can even write yourself a note like “Great job this year! I’m really proud of the work you’ve done.”
4. The Gift of Flexibility
You’re not tied into the standard 9-to-5 necessarily. You don’t have to accumulate vacation days before you take time off. If you want to get the kids after school and take the afternoon off, you can. That’s the perk of being a business owner. Enjoy it!
Bonus: If you don’t exercise your right to have a flexible schedule enough, make a point to in 2016. Take an afternoon off once or twice a month! Live a little!
Even when you’re stressed about running your business, try to keep these gifts in mind and appreciate everything you have as an entrepreneur. I know I do!
Another gift you can give yourself is the protection of a corporation. Download our free Corporation Guide to learn all the benefits and get started.