6 Mistakes Passionate Entrepreneurs Make

While building Noam Design and helping other businesses take off, I’ve learned a thing or two about entrepreneurship and about developing a business. Here are 6 mistakes I find particularly hard for entrepreneurs to avoid:

1. Working long hours

You want to get more done. You have a lot to accomplish and you’re passionate about your goals. So you work a lot thinking that this will help you achieve more. It seems to make sense but in reality you’ll actually achieve much better results if you work less! This seems counter intuitive at first but you’ll soon realize that by working less you’ll not only be more productive when you work, but you’ll also focus on finding elegant and quick solutions to your problems rather than using a hammer to open a door. You’ll make the effort to use the right tools and end up happier. Over time, that’s the only sustainable way.

2. Not delegating

Yes I know – it’s hard to let go. Sure there’s plenty of reasons not to delegate. Nobody can do it as well as you, it would take so much time to find and train the right person – you may as well do it yourself, etc… It was so hard for me to delegate that I even ended up using multiple personalities!

3. Scaling up for the sake of scaling up

For many business owners, the ultimate goal is to grow. To become really big. Too often size is considered a measure for success. What about happiness? Freedom? Flexibility? Schedule? Some people are so focused on growth they even forget about profitability.

4. Micromanaging

Micromanaging is a by-product of not being able to delegate or of hiring the wrong people. Make sure to hire “managers of one”, keep your team small, and let people work! Focus on your own tasks.

5. Taking on all comers

Many businesses want to offer their customers everything they need. With time, the business loses focus and quality as it spreads across fields and try to be one of these “full-service solutions provider”. Focus on providing a unique product instead. And make sure your language reflects that.

6. Seeking investment from VC

Too many entrepreneurs start businesses without a vision. Why start a business if you plan on giving out its control to someone else? Also why go through all the work and energy required to start a business if you’re just looking for an exit? Besides, when you’re raising funds, you’re not working on developing your business.

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