Running a business is certainly not for the faint-hearted! It’s for the BRAVE, RESILIENT and DEDICATED! To truly succeed we need to tap into so many qualities and create some very healthy habits and eliminate some of the bad habits.
If you run a business, you will know what I am talking about here. I am sure there are times throughout running your business where you have wanted to quit as it just was too overwhelming and damn hard. In my experience of running my business for the last 9 years there have been moments like that, but I get over myself and re-connect to those inherent qualities that I believe that we all have.
These are my top tips to creating a sustainable business:
Self-Belief
Do you believe in YOU and do you believe in your Mission? You cannot expect others to believe in you and your work if you do not yourself. It starts with self and you need to lead the way.
Dedication
Are you dedicated to your work, your clients and what you stand for? Are you prepared to put in that extra mile to get the job done and provide top quality service to your clients and always go beyond what is expected?
Discipline
This was something that I needed to work on and writing my book, was a great way to create some more disciplined habits. The discipline to prioritise what is important and not wasting time. The discipline to say no to things, including going out socialising when you need to finish an important task. The discipline to get off socials and block out time to get your ‘project’ work done.
I know that if I did not become more disciplined, I would not have been able to finish writing my manuscript for Love Worthy, run retreats and big events and create online programs. If we want something bad enough, we need to make the time and put in the effort and have the discipline to be able to do this.
Determination
In business we need to connect to that ‘eye of the tiger’ and stay so focussed that nothing or no-one will take us off our path. We can only fail if we quit so you need to connect to your warrior within and stay on your path until you have reached your destination. Be absolutely determined to keep going and never quit!
Accountability
We all make mistakes and none of us are perfect; but we need to be accountable for these. This includes admitting our errors, adapting our ways and also apologising if we get it wrong. Accountability goes a long way in business and it shows that you have emotional intelligence.
Action focussed
You can have all the dreams and goals in the world, however unless you are prepared to put in the ACTION, they will not be realised. Put together your steps required to get the task done and then allocate time accordingly to put in the action. Action = results.
Courage
You need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable is one of my favourite quotes. I also love Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote related to this:
“Do something every-day that scares you”.
We cannot grow as a person and expand in our business if we are not prepared to step more into our courage and do things regardless of our fear. I love the saying “feel the fear and do it anyway – do it scared”. For the first 6 years in my business EVERYTHING I did scared but I refused to allow my fear to prevent me from doing what I wanted and needed to do. Even these days on take on projects that scare me but I know that’s it’s all part of my divine purpose.
Maintain an abundant mindset
Do you have an abundant mindset or a scarcity mindset? Do you worry that there is never enough? Enough money coming in, enough clients, enough knowledge, enough wisdom and you are constantly in a battle with yourself. Each and every-one of us can connect to more abundance and the first place to start is your mindset. Then we need to trust that the universe does have our back and that all will be provided for our highest good and in beautiful flow.
Maintaining a sense of humour & have fun
Life can get serious but please do not take yourself too seriously. Laugh often and learn to laugh at yourself on a regular basis. Laughter is one of the BEST medicines. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
Put on your favourite music and dance, sing and laugh regularly. Surround yourself with other family and friends that are also fun. Do things that are FUN and bring you joy.
Stop the comparisons:
Stop the ‘comparison game’ as this will prevent you from striving towards your own divine purpose. You are you and understand that your energy is unique and there is no-one in the world like you. Also understand that we all have our own unique talents, gifts and lessons to learn.
Don’t expect everyone to like you
There will always be some people who just don’t align with your energy and vice-versa we don’t align with theirs. Stop wanting everyone to like and accept you =as you are not for everyone. You cannot allow some-one else’s opinion of you to affect you moving forward with your dreams and goals. Connect to that ‘warrior’ within you and know that the right people will like, trust and even love you.
“You can be the juiciest, ripest peach in the world and some people do not like peaches” Dita Van Teese.
Surround yourself with great people
Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you and those who support and celebrate you. Avoid the people who are negative, nasty and non-supportive. It’s important in business to create a great network of awesome people that you can turn to for advice and guidance when required and to feel that deeper sense of connection and belonging.
This also applies to family members – be mindful of the ones that are not supportive and do not expect it. Limit your business conversations or do not talk business at all when you know they are not supportive of your business.
Throughout your business it’s important to hire a great coach/mentor, particularly during pivotal times. None of us know everything and sometimes we need not only their expertise, but they can also be your biggest ‘cheer-leader’, motivating you to step out of your comfort zone and strive towards your highest potential.
Prioritise self-care
As the saying goes ‘work hard and play hard’. In this instance, I mean ‘play hard’ in in the context of making time for a lot of self-care. Self-care needs to be from a wholistic perspective: Mind, body, heart and soul and we need to be regularly prioritising and balancing our self-care. We cannot make the most out of our life and give to our loved ones, clients and ourselves, if we are exhausted. It’s an absolute necessity to make time for you and your self-care rituals.
Here’s to you stepping more into your greatness and running a fabulously successful business.
Much love
Jo