So, you want to start your own business. You have a great idea, and you know that you are a great salesperson. You have an awesome support system, and you know that you will succeed.
So, what’s stopping you? Is there a little voice in your head telling you that you can’t do something? Does it seem like more work than you once thought? Are you worried that you will not make it? Does the thought of failure send you into a bedridden light out sort of mood?
Well, ladies, sometimes, we can be our own biggest enemies. This is especially true if we are starting something new, especially if we are putting all of our time and effort into it. So, if you are taking the steps to be an entrepreneur, but you hesitate with every footfall, look at these five things entrepreneurs never say.
#1) I Can’t
“I’d like to start my business, but I can’t take the risk.” “I have a great idea, but I can’t afford to start implementing it.” “I want to be my own boss, but I can’t seem to break free from my current job.”
If you have ever said any of these statements (or all of them), it is time to get your confidence back. Nearly every entrepreneur has had to face a situation in which they had to take a wild chance in order to succeed. The difference between you and them is the fact that you have been listening to your “I can’t” statements for far too long.
That is not to say that you should throw caution to the wind. However, making educated decisions based on your own business is how you take your chances and reap the rewards of business.
So, create a business plan, take the time to get yourself going, and get yourself out of the mindset that you can’t do something.
#2) I Give Up
When times are tough in the business world, they seem to be the kind of “tough” that can make or break any entrepreneur’s spirit. The first-time things go bad, the first quarter you don’t make a profit, or the first time you lose money on taking a chance is not the time to give up on everything that you are trying to start.
You have goals, and it is time to implement them. You cannot meet your goals unless you give yourself the opportunity to do so. Keep trying and trying new things.
Don’t give up on your goals when things are on the downswing, but do look at the issues your company faces, and try to find new ways to solve the problems that are causing you to lose money or “fail.”
The business world is constantly changing, and your business (as well as your business-mindedness) needs to change with it. So, instead of giving up on your dreams, move on to the next solution to the problems you face.
#3) I Won’t Change My Business
“We’ve been doing things this way for five years, and we will not change now.” “My grandfather ran is business this way, and that is the way I am going to run my business.”
As stated above, the business world is in a constant state of flux. It is important to help your business thrive by changing with the times. If you pride yourself on your customer service, don’t change it. However, if your customers constantly complain about your customer service skills, do know that if you don’t look into the complaints of consumers, you will lose those consumers.
If your company has made things out of non-sustainable materials since you began, and you’ve noticed your sales plummeting in recent years, you should take a look at the thriving market of reusable and sustainable items and see how you can work your business around that.
Your pride is important in your business but holding on to your pride as you see your company sinking is very dangerous.
#4) I Have No Idea What I’m Doing
Okay, you jumped in, headfirst, and you are trying everything in your power to ensure that you are going to succeed. However, every day a new hurdle makes itself present, and you must figure out how to jump over it, because it will not be knocked down.
This happens to a lot of entrepreneurs, and it is important to examine the situation you are in. Instead of giving the defeated, “I don’t know what I’m doing” speech, it is time to educate yourself.
Many entrepreneurs who base their entire businesses off a single, great idea do jump into the deep end. The ones who succeed do not focus on the fact that they don’t know something or didn’t expect something. Instead, they educate themselves on what they don’t know. They learn about the hurdles of business, and this creates great intuitive, critical, and analytical skills in the world of business.
So, if something came up and you don’t know what you’re doing, go learn about this topic, see what you can do to get yourself and your business over this hurdle.
#5) I’m Always Right
You had the idea. You started the business. You put your blood, sweat, and tears into this—not to mention every dime you have. Well, ladies, this shows that you have drive, ambition, and love for what you do. It doesn’t show that you are always right about everything. Even entrepreneurs had to do things that they considered wrong in the past, and it ended up working for them.
Touching back on the pride issue, remember that it is important to show that your business is versatile, and that you can work well with others. Rare is the situation where an entrepreneur didn’t have some form of a brainstorming session to solve a problem for her business in which she had to take the advice of others.
Remember that any business relies on too many people to count (included, and probably most importantly your customers). If you think you’re always right, you will reflect that on your customers, which can drive them away.
Keep your business strong by keeping an open mind as you work your way toward success.
Successful entrepreneurs have the drive; they have a love for their dreams, and they also have an open mind when it comes to changing their business and working with others to create something strong. Remember, never give up on your dreams, and try to see the problems you face from different angles. What are some of the things you’d expect a successful business entrepreneur to say? Please share with us in the comments below!