Four years ago I began building a business around my passion for personal development, spirituality, and the creative power of thought. At that time I had a day job (and I still do), but I made a decision to devote most of my free time to building this business. It's been an exciting and often frustrating process, but I wouldn't change a thing. I knew when I embarked on this journey that the real pay off would be my own personal development and overcoming the fears, doubts, and limiting beliefs I held about myself.
I've learned a lot about myself over these past four years. I've also learned a thing or two about business. While I still have much to learn, I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of what I've learned with you. My hope is that you will be able to learn from what I share and go further, faster, in your own business and entrepreneurial pursuits.
The lessons:
Succeeding in business (and in life) requires both inner and outer work - We've got to remember to schedule time each day to do the inner work of visualizing, affirming, and developing our self-concept in the same way we schedule time to attend meetings, create products and services, and make presentations. Doing this inner work is vital, and it can help us to struggle less, and get more done in our business and our lives.
Marketing is king - When I began, I was under the naive assumption that if I simply created something really useful and valuable people would buy it. This didn't happen. I later realized just how important marketing is to the success of any business. If no one knows about your awesome product or service, they can't buy it. I now spend the majority of my time on marketing and promotion, and the rest on creating valuable products and services.
Learn to sell (in person and in print) - Like marketing, I didn't focus on this aspect of business as much as I should have when I began. This is primarily due to the fact that I am more of a creator and idea developer, than I am a salesman. I like to take an idea or concept and develop into a viable, useful product or service -- something that enhances the lives of others. This is what I really enjoy. Selling doesn't necessarily come naturally to me. However, that's changing as time goes on and I realize just how important sales are to the success of my business.
Focus on making others feel important - We human beings are emotional creatures. Because of this, we make our choices based on our emotions, then we rationalize those choices with our intellect. The lesson; win the hearts of your clients first, and their minds will follow. We want to spend time with, and do business with people we know, like, and trust. So make a point to always encourage, uplift, and inspire people, whether they're your clients or not. Always strive to make others feel important and valuable, because they are.
Do something you love - When you're in the brainstorming phase of coming up with a business to build, ask yourself, "What do I love to do?", "What do I do when I have free time?", "What would I do for free?", "What gives my life meaning?", "What excites me and makes me come alive?" Build a business around the things you love to do. Whatever you do, it's going to suck from time to time. During these times, the only thing that will carry you forward is your love for what you do.
Care more - When you care more about your client than your competitors, you will win again and again. People can tell who cares the most. And they reward that person or company with their business.
Be entertaining - Regardless of what business you're in, realize that people want to be entertained. Your clients, like you, are here to explore and have a wide variety of experiences. Give them something they can't get from anyone else and they'll come back to you.
Know yourself - This is foundational to all success in business and in life. When you know yourself,
