My 8 Pieces of Advice for Every Entrepreneur...after 8 years of being one
I can't quite believe it but this time 8 years ago I started my first business as an Image Consultant. I was completely clueless back then and hadn't realised that by definition it meant I was an entrepreneur (eeek!). Now I love working for myself and I coach other women to make that a reality too.
Here are my 8 pieces of advice for every entrepreneur:
1) Get clear on your end goal.
What does your 'finished' business look like? (This will change over time and that's okay but you have to have a goal).
If you don't programme your GPS to where you want to go then it can't help you. You have to know WHERE you're headed otherwise you'll get lost and take detours and feel like you're being very busy but not actually get anywhere.
2) Take steps towards your end goal every day.
Once you know what your end goal is you can start chipping away at it every day. Even on days you don't feel like it. You need to get your message out there and in front of the right audience.
You can batch content creation so you generate a few days, weeks (or even months) worth of content. Get in front of your ideal client every day and give them value.
3) Spend time on your mindset daily
You must programme yourself to think like an entrepreneur (you need a very different mindset to an employee). Success in 80% mindset and 20% the action you take. Although that doesn't mean you can't take action (see above). You need to have courage and CONFIDENCE in yourself. Otherwise you'll fall into 'comparisonitis'.
4) Use a stopwatch to keep you focused.
Without a boss breathing down your neck and tight deadlines to meet it can be very easy to get distracted and then you become overwhelmed. Write out 3 things you want to achieve that day and do those first. Decide how long you think they should take and then set a timer (Toggl is a great tool for this). Don't allow yourself to do anything else before the timer goes off. Be realistic though - you can't expect your brain to focus for over 60 mins without giving it a 5 minute break. Then go again.
5) Work on your 'Money Mindset'
You need to work on your relationship with money, otherwise you can be doing everything right and still block yourself from success. Read wealth consciousness books like Think and Grow Rich. Find your blocks and do work to disprove and release them. E.F.T. is great for this.
6) Take some time off to recharge.
The best ideas come when you unplug and switch off. Meditate. Walk in the woods. Exercise. Have a nap. have a bubble bath in the middle of the day. Do whatever brings you joy and peace. That way you clear the space for new and exciting ideas to pop up. Just like a computer browser, your brain can have too many tabs open! You need to take the time for self-care.
7) Surround yourself with like-minded people.
Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. That includes their ambition and income (ouch!). Some of my best friends, I met through running my business. Your vibe attract your tribe as they say. And I believe that your tribe affects your vibe. You may outgrow people in your life; some people won't agree with what you do (and/or be jealous of it) but you can't dime your light to make someone else feel better about themselves. Keep doing what you love and you will find people who love you for it.
8) Hire a coach
A coach will help you compress your timeline and hold you accountable. I can't think of a single entrepreneur who wouldn't love and need both of those things.
I'm not just saying this because I am a coach. I've worked with coaches in all of the 8 years I've been running a business. The right coach will give you a MASSIVE R.O.I. (return on investment). You can do more in 3 months with a coach than a year, or more, on your own. They will save you so much time, effort, stress and money.
What are your pieces of advice for success in business?
Are you ready to turn the business your dream of into reality? I'd love to help you.
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