Get All Access for $5/mo

6 Tips to Running a Business and Improving Your Education How to run a business and keep adding tools to your toolbox at the same time.

By Scott Langdon Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shutterstock.com

Every business owner has to wear a lot of different hats. For most entrepreneurs, education is a big reason for success. Yet, those same businesses often cut their own education programs. So how do you keep that momentum going and find time for education when you run a company? Check out a few tips below to help.

1. Give away some of your less important responsibilities

Weigh your responsibilities and what you can gain from education. No matter what education you're considering, it's important to understand what you have to gain -- and what you have to lose. If you have smaller responsibilities at your company you can pass off to a business partner or an employee, you can open up time for education without skipping a beat.

Related: 22 Qualities That Make a Great Leader

2. Give your whole company a personal education day

You shouldn't feel guilty for taking time away from your company for educational purposes (especially if it's for the good of the company, as discussed above). However, you may want to consider giving all of your employees a day off to try some sort of education together.

You can also offer a day to volunteer as an alternative.

3. Take it one class at a time

For many entrepreneurs, finding time for education means going slowly. It may seem overwhelming to go back to school part-time because you have too many responsibilities in your company. If this is the case, then don't do it! Consider just taking one course at a time.

It may not seem appealing to take so long to get a certification, but it's better than not learning at all.

If you are an entrepreneur who just wants to learn more for the sake of learning (and not for a degree or certification), Udemy courses are a great option. They allow you to take your time with lessons so that you can get everything done. Udemy teachers tend to be business owners and professionals more often than at a place like Coursera, which offers more classes from real professors.

Related: 11 Habits of Truly Happy People

4. Create a schedule to make sure you have time for it all

Make a schedule of your business and personal life. This means map out everything -- even free time. Many entrepreneurs assume they don't have time, but they could surprise themselves if they actually took the time to block out their schedules.

5. Make sure you have support from others

Although this may not help you find time for education, it's important to note so you don't get too overwhelmed. If you're thinking that you've finally found the time to seek additional education, you need to make sure you have the support of your family and your business partner or company. Otherwise, your education will be more difficult and, potentially, not worth it in the end.

Related: Habits of the World's Wealthiest People (Infographic)

6. Don't forget: You're improving your business sense everyday

Always remember that, even if you're not able to take as many classes as you would like, you're still learning everyday -- owning your own business is the ultimate test. If you need to put your formal education on hold to focus on your company, that's okay.

Then, when you have the time to follow some of the tips above, you can just add another element to the education you're already earning every day.

Scott Langdon

Managing partner of HigherVisibility

Scott Langdon is an entrepreneur with over 13 years of internet marketing experience, and currently serves as a managing partner of the nationally-recognized SEO firm HigherVisibility. Langdon and the HigherVisibility team work with clients of all sizes from across the country to offer a full range of interactive marketing services. He resides in Memphis, Tennessee.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.

Business News

Apple's AI Has a Catch — And It Could Help Boost Sales

Not every iPhone owner will get to use the new Apple Intelligence.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Business News

Y Combinator Helped Launch Reddit, Airbnb and Dropbox. Here's What I Learned From Its Free Startup School.

The famed startup accelerator offers a free course on building a business — and answers five pressing questions for founders.

Business Culture

You'll Always Have Anxious Employees if You Don't Follow These 4 Leadership Tactics

Creating a thriving workplace environment hinges on the commitment of company leaders to nurture and inspire their teams.