5.Remember to pat yourself on back when you have accomplished a task, especially important ones. Take a break away from it and refresh yourself before beginning your next task. I’ve always found going and looking out window at wonders of nature while I wait for kettle to boil for my hot chocolate can have a brightening and rejuvenating effect on my day.

6.And last, but not least, ask for help. No matter how much we think we can take on world we are not all ‘super human’ and to ask for assistance with something is a part of being ‘normal human’. When running your business, generating revenue and increasing your customer base is your most important ‘needs’ so why not get some help with non-core tasks (i.e. correspondence, maintaining your website, designing your newsletter, etc.) in order to keep up. There are many, many qualified professionals out there that specialize in helping others stay on right track and grow their businesses.

Stress is an all too common word in our society but it doesn’t have to be something that rules our lives. Learn to manage your time and prioritize your life (and all of it’s aspects) and you will find that you not only feel better inside, people will notice new relaxed you which, in turn, will be another benefit for yourself and your business as they are more comfortable dealing with you.

Also, a few weeks back we had our water supply guy here filling up our well and we talked about his father’s business. Well, I didn’t give up chance to say, “Does your father have a website? I can design one for him.” Well, conversation went from there and I ended up giving him several of my business cards.

My husband is also owner of a small business; a tow truck and storage business. Well, other day we had a fellow here delivering gravel for our driveway and, as he is always on road, I asked him if he sees accidents and such. So, my husband gave him some of his cards and it has paid off already. Yesterday this dump truck drive called to tell my husband about an accident that he had just seen.

And, don’t forget your existing clients. Do they know everything that you offer? I have a wonderful steady administrative client that I told a few times about some of websites I am designing. Well, he was impressed and now we are in talks to design his website. He didn’t know I did website design until I told him. And, this may be true for you as well. Your clients won’t know everything that you can do for them unless you tell them. They may not need any of your secondary services right away, or at all, but they may know someone who does.

My administrative client, which I mentioned above, has now given my name to some of his customers who need help with their office tasks and web design needs.

As I said before, there is a time and a place for shamelessly self-promoting yourself and your business. Be careful not to sound arrogant and don’t be pushy. But, as a small business owner, you are best person to tell others about what you offer and you should take advantage of situations that will allow you to do so.