Empowered to Take that Leap of Faith – Sonia Talks Business

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Are you struggling with a stagnant career?
Are you looking for new ways to kick start that business venture you have been dreaming of?
Are you sick of tired of being sick and tired?

If you answered yes to any of the above, it’s time to look at what it takes to become empowered to take that leap of faith to create and live your best life ever through self-employment.

Of course you are going to encounter difficulties along the way, but in order to achieve extraordinary things in your life you cannot take ordinary steps.  Business success is not about luck, it’s about preparation meeting opportunity and being able to overcome the obstacles that can keep you off that pathway of financial freedom, spiritual fulfillment and happiness.

Visualise your success

Don’t be afraid to dream bigger, bolder and better than your peers and family through entrepreneurship. We are always told that we should follow the norm and not to rock the boat. But I say, not only rock the boat, but jump out and swim to your opportunities in order to create the business of your dreams. The best way to predict your future is to create it because vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.

Take responsibility for your success

Wishful thinking is exactly that, wishful thinking. It’s really important that you overcome the limiting thoughts, emotions and behaviours that keep you disempowered and in self-imposed career paralysis. In business we always say the biggest obstacle is “Ourself” Learn to get out of your own way!

Do you hold a poverty and lack mentality? Are you scared to start your own business because you are focused on the economic downturn rather than the profitable gaps and opportunities that are available because of the widespread accessibility of the internet? Procrastination steals time, productivity and profits.

Technology, ethical manufacturing, infoproducts and countless other industries are on the rise and offer many business growth opportunities. If you are still unclear about what direction to take, why not attend one of the many business seminars and expos that are taking place in order to shape and strengthen your ideas.

Plan your way to success

Focus on creating your own route map for success and follow your own pathway for happiness.  Once you create your own personal definition for success and failure you will be able to live life by your own rules.  This is where it is important to write a business plan (of sorts) so that you catalogue your ideas.  You can do this informally (in a journal) or more formally by setting up a meeting with a business advisor, accountant or expert to shape your vision.

It’s important to become disciplined in the areas of your business that you find less motivating and exciting.  Iconic entrepreneurs know their numbers and are disciplined goal setters.  You need to adopt and model these behaviours in the early stages of your business.  By implementing models and processes in your business you will find this will help you experience greater levels of efficacy and productivity.

Network for success

Once you are clear what you want for your business then surround yourself with the people who will make this happen.  You can do this informally by tapping into your existing networks at work, at church, at school or even where you volunteer. Find other self-employed people who are willing to share best practice and more importantly common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid. Attend local networking events to build up your social contacts as these people will become very important for information, support, leads and referrals.

More formally you can get yourself a mentor or invest in a professional coach to ensure that you are working consistently towards your ideal business life. If you are serious about your building a successful venture, it is important that you surround yourself with high achieving people who have the experience, skills and acumen to help you accomplish your goals. Mediocre people make failure and excuses their best friend.  The advantage of seeking external help is that it supports you along all your different business career stages and avoids social isolation.

Bounce back

Fear, feelings of failure and poor planning is at the heart of stopping people from taking that leap of faith into self-employment.

As you keep raising the standard in your personal, professional and hopefully business life, ‘stuff’ will get in the way.  But always remember:

it’s not how many times you go down that matters; but how many times you get back up!”

Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than the one with all the facts.  Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.

Don’t give up trying just because you have faced a few setbacks.  Learn how to reframe your outlook and don’t take failure personally, its only temporary!   Learn to develop the strength of character to know and respect your OWN dreams!  Stand firm in YOU. Of course you will stumble along the way, but that too will pass.  Just see your mistakes as stepping stones to get to where you want to be.

I am pragmatic and realistic.  We all experience negative emotions but learn to focus on what you do well and maximise your strengths in order to take yourself out of fear and failure. When life throws you a curve ball on that race of obstacles, kick fear to the curb and don’t listen to the internal and external chatter!

You are the director of your business so become self-aware of your strengths and talents. Self-employment is not an easy option and it’s not like TV.  Statistics show that 50% will fail within the first five years, but with an estimated 4.9 million businesses in the UK employing 24.3 million people, with a combined turnover of £3,300 billion – there is something positive about this career path.

To excel in business, you must be prepared to roll up your sleeves and graft.  Self-employment requires planning, continuous learning and a can do attitude.  In the word IMPOSSIBLE is POSSIBLE!

Go. Be empowered to take that leap of faith.

About the author

Sonia Brown MBE is our Business Blogger. Sonia Brown MBE is a business communicator; coach; trainer; writer, uber connector and diversity maverick. She is a branding strategist and contributes to a number of radio shows, magazines and newspapers on women, diversity and enterprise issues. Find out more: Sonia Brown, @soniatalks
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