My 6th Year as a Business Owner: My Biggest Realisations

As I kick off my 6th year as a business owner, here are my biggest realisations…

1. I do not need to be led. I am the leader. I have what it takes to define the path, motivate myself, and trust that my decisions are right.

2. The experimental mindset is critical. I can’t be wedded to an outcome; I can only be willing to experiment with approaches that are meant to deliver the outcome. If they do, great; if they don’t, I have to try something new.

3. I’m not ‘too expensive’. It’s a big objection I hear a lot. I believe in my ability to deliver value above the cost. Nobody has ever said ‘you’re too expensive’ after a session.

4. My clients and students are the most important people. If they need me at 10pm and I am awake, I will answer their message. Being available has been an important part of earning trust, and it means clients stay long term.

5. I attract the clients who are right for me. This is the reason that in 5 years of coaching, I have only had one client I didn’t connect with.

6. I tell it like it is. Blending backbone with heart has been the key.

7. If I have something to sell, like a retreat or a course, I just sell it. I don’t dress it up or go around the houses; I let people know it exists. I’m a business owner.

8. I stay in my own lane. What I offer as a coach, and as a coach trainer, is unique. I am the unique element. I believe in that, so I don’t waste time looking over the fence.

9. I temper my expectations. At the start of my journey I expected that I would put out a course and thousands of people would sign up (that’s what the business gurus have you believe). It meant I felt like I was failing. Now I set realistic targets based on the audience numbers I have.

10. I work hard. I am prepared to work hard. And I make no apologies for working hard. It’s been a key ingredient.

11. I outsource the small jobs and any job that I don’t have the capability for. I also ask myself throughout the day whether I am using my time wisely.

12. I prioritise pace over perfection. Yes, my stuff might be littered with mistakes. I might improve as we go. But I GET IT OUT THERE. And people who don’t like spelling errors are not my people.

13. I break all the rules. Always have, always will. And therein lies the secret sauce!