As business owners, it is hard to differentiate between our business results and where we are on a personal level. For the decisions we make, the image we project and the areas that gain focus, come down to what we decide is important or to be avoided.
Our business is a reflection of us, and therefore when contemplating a business makeover that will achieve significant and sustainable results, we also need to incorporate elements of ourselves.
This is not to ignore the universal concerns of a business owner around cash flow, the next customer and how can I grow my business, these questions will continue to keep us up at night no matter what stage our business is in.
The difference is how we view these questions and the action we take, and this will depend on our mindset and our ability to hold onto the bigger picture of what we are trying to create.
So here are the secrets to ensure you achieve real traction and continue to be ahead of your game.
Remember the original desire for being in business – let it be your guiding light
When we first started our business, most of us would have had a vision on what we were trying to create, our desired reality. The question is: has this changed? If so, then what is it now? If not, are we still aiming correctly – the importance of checking into the vision is to ensure that we are still heading in the right direction.
Too often, we get caught up on the daily operation of our business and we do not take the time to see if what we are doing is contributing to the end game or if the market has moved on, what needs to be adjusted to achieve the vision.
Understanding where you are and identifying any gaps should be a regular practice to set your focus, decide on action steps and appropriate timeframes – at a minimum, do this quarterly.
As you do this practice, ensure you identify what needs to be done practically; for example, refreshing your website or adopting a social media campaign and also what needs to be addressed on a personal level; for example, letting go of any limiting beliefs of not being good enough.
For any areas identified that may be difficult to do on your own, highlight people that can assist you to make this happen – when creating a successful business, you need to let go of the belief of needing to do everything on your own.
Make a commitment to yourself and your magnificence
Too often we can fall into the trap of listening to the inner critic that lets us know what we are doing wrong, and how others seem to be all over what we haven’t yet tackled.
Juggling the priorities of a business is one of the reasons we love what we do. However, it can also be the cause of many distractions, avoidance or chastisement. The inner critic can sometimes have a field day in a female business owners mind, slowly chipping away at our confidence and the ability to recognise all the great things we have achieved.
The result being that we begin to play small, settling for the safe option and blending into the crowd, trying to not make waves. This stops us from standing in the power we all possess, sharing the wisdom and knowledge we can bring to market and having the impact we know is within us.
The question you should ask on a daily basis, “What version of me is turning up to the office, networking event or business meeting?” and make sure it is the brightest, dynamic and magnetic version of you.
And always finish off your day focusing on the three things you did well – even, something that may not have gone the way you planned, has a hidden gift of learning in it.
Will the real you, stand up!
Taking care of yourself, and making yourself a priority, is challenging at the best of times and no more, than when you are a business owner.
However, the impact of neglecting your needs is that you truly cannot be functioning on all cylinders – the way you interact, the clarity of thought and the ability to bounce back when things do not go your way, is enhanced dramatically when you are physically, emotionally and spiritually nourished and supported.
So make sure you schedule in a meeting with yourself, and take that time out to have a decent lunch, feel the sun on your back or grass between your feet, and always take time out to be with the ones you love, as having healthy relationships can support you on many levels – so important if you want a thriving business.
Ensuring you look after your needs reinforces your importance. And, as Norman Vincent Peale once said, “When people believe in themselves, they have the first secret of success.”
