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The Entrepreneur Within
So you want to build your own business? You want to be in control. Maybe you want to end up in The Sunday Times Rich List – why not? Well the best place to start is on this website with the on-line courses Be Your own Boss, Get Motivated and Indestructible Self Belief. If you do the things these courses advise there is no reason why you couldn’t have a great business that you enjoy owning and running.
As a Business Coach I have coached numerous entrepreneurs and consistently where they need my support is in overcoming the obstacles within themselves and believing that they can make it a success. The business skills are important but more than that building total self-belief and toughness for when things aren’t going well is what is required to succeed. As Ray Kroc the founder of McDonalds said: “Most businesses fail not because they were bad ideas but because the owners didn’t make personal change”
A client of mine, Emma, says: “It can be quite lonely working by yourself. This loneliness can lead to a loss of motivation and you begin to wonder whether you are doing the right thing. I’ve thought many times about packing it all in and just getting a normal job. I got over that when I looked at myself and eliminated the negative thoughts and beliefs that were holding me back. I vowed not to doubt that my business would be a success – it was more a case of when it will be a success. Also I eliminated the loneliness and not only got a coach but began networking – talking about your business is a great way to keep motivated and keep going. Also once you decide to be your own boss you must commit to it – don’t do it half heartedly - put yourself 100% into it and go for it.”
Sebastian, another client, set up his own business a year ago after many years in the City. What keeps him going is his goal – to be able to see his kids after school and at weekends and not to be a weekend dad like so many City professionals. He had a great business idea but what unlocked the success was not a great office or a great marketing programme (these are important) but Sebastian changed. He learnt to be organised and to prioritise his time – something he was not good at. He then focussed on his goal and only took action that would move him closer to his goal. He also learnt to brush off rejections and disappointments instead of dwelling on them and over analysing them. A year later he has a thriving business and an indestructible self belief that he will reach his goal.
James Dyson of the Dyson vacuum cleaner, Gary Dutton – double glazing, John Morphet – Caravan parks, Peter Shalson – coat hangers. These are just a few examples of people worth more than £50M from very unsexy business ideas. All of these people focussed on their idea, made personal change and went for it. They all featured in the 100 richest people in the UK list for 2004.
So my top tips for building a great business:
- Invest in Be Your Own Boss, Get Motivated and Indestructible Self Belief – when you are starting out these are more important than a great website or fancy stationary.
- Focus on your goals
What do you want the business to do for you? You should spend a full day doing nothing but thinking about your goal – dream a little and be specific. - Network
Talk to people about your business – you won’t feel lonely and it’s great to bounce ideas off other like minded people. - Don’t have any regrets
Once you decide you want to be your own boss your regrets must be thrown away. All your energy must be focussed on making it a success. Look forward not back. - Keep reviewing your progress – do this with someone.
Think of it as a monthly Board meeting where you review how you are doing against your plan. Do this with another entrepreneur or get a great business coach. This is where you stand back from your business and assess how its going and what changes you need to make. Emma says “My monthly planning and review meetings with Hetal are so important as they get me out of the detail and help me refocus on my goals, actions and priorities”
So good luck, make use the resources you have, invest in yourself and go for it! I’ll leave you with a great quote from a Korean businessman: “Businesses are successful because someone makes the sacrifices others are unwilling to”.
Hetal
