What I Wish I had Known Before Starting a Business
I have often heard that it takes 2 years to begin to figure out what you’re doing in your business. I am not sure if the numbers or surveys would back that up, and maybe I have been paying attention to that as I am almost at my two year mark, but it is something I have been thinking about a lot recently.
Well, in one way, I am at 2 years. It was 2 years ago, May 2019, that I completed my certification to become a coach, and decided that I was going to start my own coaching business. My business officially launched in October 2019, so I am few months out from being “officially” at the 2 year mark.
Honestly though, for people that had to figure out how to pivot and keep their businesses alive during Covid, I think we’ve learned about 10 years’ worth of lessons.
So, that brings me to today’s topic-What have I learned that I wish I knew in May 2019? My honest answer? In one way, NOTHING! I think if I had known how hard it was going to be, I might have delayed things a little longer. AND I believe that I had to learn each lesson as it was presented to me. I had to get into the trenches to learn hard lessons to allow the explosion of growth in my business skills and in my coaching abilities. I can coach people through the really hard stuff because I’ve been in it myself.
Now, in another way, there are some nuggets of wisdom I’d love to share for those at the beginning of their journey, to help people get through some of these things faster. And, I know most people will still need to experience it for themselves, needing to learn the first-hand lesson as I did.
Here are my top 5, in case they might be helpful:
It is going to be harder than you think. Full stop.
You need a coach or a mentor to help you when you get stuck, in your business and in your life (because the life stuff impacts your business more than you realize….oh, maybe that should be its own point?). I am so grateful for my coach and coach colleagues who have had my back through these last two years.
You are likely to get caught in the perfection trap. If you don’t know what that is, just wait. It will likely sound like “I can’t publish that website/blog post/sale flyer etc. because it doesn’t look perfect, or it doesn’t look like (insert another business here…..one that is likely years ahead of you in experience). Here’s the thing. It’ll never be “perfect”. And who the heck decides what perfect is anyway? Perfectionism is often rooted in fear of judgment. Well, I say, don’t hold back, friend. You have a gift to give and someone needs to receive it. For the keyboard warriors that might give some negative feedback-they’re hiding behind a keyboard….and you’re out there doing it! Don’t let them steal your thunder-you’re amazing!
You have to put yourself out there. No one is going to magically find you. Network, network, network. And a note about networking, learn to network NOT by giving your sales pitch, but by genuinely getting to know people and their stories.
Again, put yourself out there. The latest saying is to be in business with someone we must “know, like and trust” them. 100%. Spend time getting to know people. I now have a large network of other professionals, many who’ve become friends, to which I refer because I know they’re experts in their field, will care for someone I send their way and, frankly, they are just good people.
Surround yourself with like-minded people. People who value kindness, success, growth, and service as you do. People who are putting in the work like you are. The crew that I connect with are people that are always raising the bar on what they are trying to achieve in their service to others. That sparks my motivation (competitive side?) to keep after what I am aiming for. If you have big goals but the people around you are encouraging you to binge-watch Netflix instead of getting after what you’re trying to achieve, find new people to hang out with. It might sound harsh, but it’s a lesson learned. If you want to grow your business, hang out with people who’ve done it.
This entrepreneur life is awesome. I truly love it AND it is hard! The hard parts are so easily swept away by the successes I see my clients achieve, that is it 100% worth it and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
If I can help you on your journey, or you’ve got great lessons to share with me, please share! Let’s connect: deanna@deannalangfordcoaching.com
Have a fabulous day everyone!
Deanna