Business & Careers

5 Things I Wish I’d Known When Starting A Business

BY Tara Nelson

Being Told No

Ready to get out of your own way and kill it at starting a business and at life? Me, too!

Get over yourself

No offence, but I promise you NO ONE is giving as much thought about you as YOU. Think about it. How much time do you spend thinking about what everyone else is doing? I mean, besides your children or partner. Personally, I only really focus on what someone outside of my family is doing if I’ve been inspired by something they’ve done. And that seems like a good thing. So please, do not hesitate with pressing go on that live video, speaking up in your staff meeting, joining or starting a business, wearing the outfit. No one actually cares! Think about how liberating that is.

starting a business

Go backwards when starting a business

Picture how you want your life to look and work backwards. Are you starting a business to work from home or the beach? Do you want to be in a highrise in the big city? Are there a bunch of children running about? It can be so overwhelming to plan out one’s life, no? This is a simple tool that can help with focus and clarity. You can also use this in smaller chunks of your life. Are you already working in an environment you love, but want to bust through the glass ceiling? Use this exercise to map out how to land in that top spot.

Time after time

Be JUST busy enough to quiet those idle mind voices, but not too busy to enjoy this precious life. Don’t confuse a full schedule with success. This correlation is outdated and slightly absurd. It can be a fine line in business depending on where currently fall in the organizational chart, but the word ‘no’ IS in your vocabulary. It’s a good practice to set your boundaries as early as possible at work. Are you willing to receive calls and texts after hours? Will you respond to late night emails? It’s harder to ease out of these habits if you’ve set the precedent that you’re cool with it.

And make sure your personal calendar regularly includes some soul food. Do you need a creative outlet? Spirituality? Movement? Get in what feeds you, but save some room to rest and recharge. The world needs you at your best.

You’re hired

Congratulations! You have been hired as the CEO of you. You’re going to be so good at it! No matter what your current relationship status is, I implore you to please be in the position to take care of yourself. Avoid having to depend on anyone else. Do what it takes to provide the life of your dreams to yourself, because you totally can.

Nike was right

For the love, quit overthinking and planning about all the cool things you’re going to do someday. YOU’RE MISSING OUT. Even if it's a lesson in failure. There’s crazy value in that! Contrary to popular belief, knowledge is not power. Don’t get me wrong; knowledge is great. It’s important. But knowledge is only potential power. Action is where our power lies.

You just need consistent action and you'll see results. Even a few minutes a day. And each action item doesn’t have to life altering… Go for a run, check out a networking event, inquire about that business opportunity. Amp it up by repeating your actions to create habits. Sounds boring, but it will absolutely transform your life.

If you need help, find an accountability partner or coach, or a mastermind group. Or at the very least, a tribe of like-minded, kickass friends that aren't afraid to call you out when needed.

Let’s all repeat this mantra together: I am capable and I have everything I need to achieve my goals. Getting uncomfortable and running toward your wildest dreams is so invigorating!

Smart people think, but great people act. Have an illogical belief in yourself. I promise you’ll discover it’s logical after all.

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