I ran across this article in Entrepreneur magazine this week
and boy did some of these look familiar. I don't know about you but I think
there is a little but if an Entrepreneur in all of us. I preach this at the
beauty schools when I am invited to speak to their students. Never, ever forget
you will always be 100% responsible for You Incorporated. You are the CEO, chief
cook and bottle washer of your corporation, your career. No one is going to put
as much effort into you, as you. The funny thing is even knowing these
blockers, on any given day I am still guilty of one of two. So what's stopping
you?
1. You don't complete a task before you start a new one. Me?
Boy is this one ever true. Entrepreneurs are idea people, thing is we have lots
of ideas. It's the follow through that gets our hair in a knot. Entrepreneurs
simply have a hard time finishing a project, no matter the time or the
resources. They can't focus. Maybe we
are too attached to the project? The OCD perfectionist in us gets the better of
us and we fear the project won't be good enough, or if we just spend more time
it would be perfect. So we struggle for that perfection afraid we cannot change
things later. They quote Seth Godin for his book Linchpin, excellent book by
the way. He writes "The only purpose of starting is to finish, and while
projects we do are never really finished, they must ship". If it's close
enough it's close enough, ship it.
2 You micromanage everything. You've started your own business because you
know you are the only one that can do the job as well as you. This believe is a
recipe for disaster. You just can't do it all and if you expect to grow your
business you must step back, lead and trust those around you. If you don't
currently have one get yourself a support team. Remember it is unsuccessful entrepreneurs
that insist on doing everything themselves, not the other way around.
3 You're Always right. Entrepreneurs have a really hard time
admitting they are wrong or have made a mistake. Mistakes after all are
learning opportunities. When you've got a few, or more out of the way you
develop strong enough shoulders to support them like a back pack. Don't hide
from things that haven't gone according to plan. You only lose out if you miss
the lesson. Being wrong is one step closer to being right the next time. Empty
your back pack, ask for advice or counsel and move on.
4 You ask questions but don't really want to know the
answer. Everyone knows this person, some quite well. This entrepreneur only
listens long enough to hear if you are going to agree with them. They never
take constructive criticism well. Honestly it is unfortunate that some only
surround themselves with people that agree with them. The number one lesson in
team building is to put together a diverse group dynamic with room for different
perspectives and plenty of debate. I' m sure you've heard the saying you can't
solve a problem with the same thinking that created it? Check your ego at the
door and truly listen to others.
5. You always find a reason to not move forward. We know
this person, plenty of us have been this person at one time or another. The economy
is not good, the timing isn't right. I don't have enough money, or support, or nail
polish. The cold hard truth is there is never the perfect time for anything.
You just have to decide to move forward, take the next step. Have some faith,
gather your courage and get out of your way.
This is great! I have so many ambitions and I can't wait to see them come to light! Thank you for all the motivation you give us!
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