7 Business Affirmations: Release the Bellyaching Beast
If I was 12 inches taller I'd be skinny
How many times have you looked in the mirror and found a flaw? If
you say never, good grief, what planet do you live on? Most of us are
self-critical, sometimes to the point of being oblivious to what makes us
unique. We seem to have a beast inside bent on bellyaching
about our multiple deficiencies. Do you obsess about being too tall or not tall enough? Too thin
or too heavy? Not pretty/handsome enough? Too pushy? Not pushy enough?
You have your list and so do I. Do you apply that
self-critical flaw-finding attitude to your business?
- I can't succeed.
- The economy is against me!
- I can't afford to carry enough inventory.
- Everybody shops out of town!
- I'm afraid of the competition.
- Advertising costs too much and it's a waste of my limited resources.
- Marketing eludes me. I can't figure it out.
When you add your own night terrors to this list do you start to
sweat? Are you on the brink of throwing in the towel, going to bed and
covering up your head? STOP! Before you lie down with a cold compress... or knock back a
numbing libation, get a grip! Perhaps you're thinking is getting in the way of
your business success.
But I'm only 60 inches tall, that's not going to change
Challenges are real and can't be ignored. There is something to be
said for critical evaluation. SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats)
analysis exists for a reason. The list above clearly represents the outcome of
looking at weaknesses.
So how do you bring your future, the future
of your business and the future of your community's economy into perspective? Let the bellyaching beast off his
leash and listen up. Evaluation does not mean you must find every flaw. Yes,
you need to know what your weaknesses are, but also be certain you
know and embrace your strengths. I may only be five foot tall and
nowhere near thin, but anyone who knows me will tell you it has rarely held me back,
even when standing still might have been wiser.
I'm writing this because I've spent a good bit of time in recent
months dithering about whether to get back into freelance work as a writer,
e-zine/newsletter developer and graphic designer. My poor-me bellyaching beast has held
me at bay, snapping at my heels, preventing me from seeing the value my skills
have for others.
You are a star, and don’t you forget it
After several weeks of hearing the bellyaching beast whining
and begging for the scraps of uncertainty and fear left behind in the wake of
my mental self-abuse, I gave him his freedom, opened the door to release
negativity and let him go. When I saw his tail wagging as he crested the
horizon, I took pen and paper in hand and started writing down why my skills
would have benefit for others. It was doggone freeing. It reminded me of my
successes and put my failures into perspective.
As an entrepreneur I recommend you take stock. Go somewhere quiet, where you will
be able to think uninterrupted. Take pad and pen. There is something to be said
for the tactile feel of the implements in your hand and to see your
entrepreneurial spirit coming to life through the words flowing onto the page.
Affirm your commitment to success:
I started this business/service (aside from money) because____________.
There is never any one reason entrepreneurs go into business.
While earning a profit is likely at the top of the list there are other
compelling reasons that fired and inspired you to put out your shingle. Name
those reasons. Embrace them.
My business/service is unique in these ways_____________.
If you don't have a response to this perhaps it’s time to think
carefully about what you offer that no one else does, or think of an add-in
that will make you stand out from the crowd.
Investing in my business through promotion has value
because_________.
There is a rule of thumb that you should commit a percentage of
your annual income to advertising and promotion. I would add use that money
wisely and well. No matter how much you want to support every publication and
cause that "represents youth," consider what you do in context of
your business success. There are other ways to donate that don't involve
spending your much-needed promotional dollars.
My business has loyal customers. I'm going to reward them
by______________.
When was the last time you e-mailed, called or in some way
communicated with your customers? It's less expensive to retain a satisfied
customer and get them to buy again than it is to draw new customers to your
door. And remember this – activity begets activity. If you have your old
customers coming in the door, new customers will follow.
I will make sure my employees like their jobs and convey that to
our customers.
If your employees aren't on your side and don't enjoy their jobs
it will show in your bottom line. Take care of your employees (even if the only
employee you have is you). If employees are not confident in their ability to
take care of customers, if they feel inadequate, if they feel you don't care
about them, they will not do their best. They'll do the minimum and not very
well.
I will participate actively in associations that advocate for
independent entrepreneurs.
Belonging to a business association is an opportunity for
networking, yes, absolutely. Aside from that, you have something to offer. What
can you contribute that will improve/promote all businesses? Rising water lifts
all boats. Be part of the rising tide.
I will post a list of my business successes where I can see it
every day, beginning with the day I opened, my first success.
Remember your successes. That first big sale. Meeting your first
payroll (including paying yourself!). The "thank you" from a customer
who benefited from your service. Keep track of the positive influence and impact your business has had and continues to have.
When life gets a little testy and business is stagnant or
beginning to slide, you must remember this is a bump in the road, not a wall.
Small business continues to be the backbone of the economy. Your
success determines the health of the local economy and the national economy.
Take time to celebrate your entrepreneurial strengths. It will be good for you,
and it will be good for your business.
________________
Sharon Vander Meer is an entrepreneur, author, host of Writer's Block and blogger. To
tap into her skills to your benefit e-mail fsvandermeer@gmail.com.
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