‘Never let them see you cry!’ I remember hearing this a lot when I worked in the corporate world. I often hear it in the entrepreneurial world, too. For me, that’s not realistic. Being in business is hard. It can be lonely. And there are tears.

In the work I do with my clients, I encourage them to bring their full self to the coaching relationship. I know, intellectually, that work is work and play is play and so on. However, what I also know for sure is that, as an entrepreneur, ‘it’ is always on your mind. Always!

1) How am I going to pay for that?
2) Where will I find the clients?
3) When should I raise my fees?
4) Who is going to pay ME that much?
5) Am I a fraud?

Those are the real thoughts going through the head of the real entrepreneurs – all the time. It was no different in the conversations we had at the mastermind meeting last week. Because we are all more alike than different! These are not the thoughts of new entrepreneurs because, remember, as you succeed – ‘new level, new devil’!

There is an emotional side to business.  Ok, then, how do we deal with it? Here are my tips and what I taught my clients last week:

1) THERE IS NO TIMELINE FOR SUCCESS.
There is no magic date on the calendar that determines whether or not you are a success. You set the timeline. This is not a race. It is an everyday adventure, though. Each and every day, you must get up – get going – get in the game. Be fully engaged. There is no ‘half-way’ to being an entrepreneur. Now, there are some of my clients who still work in a full-time job and are growing their business on the side – that doesn’t mean it’s ‘half-way’ for them; it does mean they are working on business development on a part-time basis right now. That serves them well. It’s a great plan. It’s like having a business loan to fund and finance your business as it grows. Brilliant!

2) YOU CANNOT RUN AND HIDE WHEN IT GETS DIFFICULT.
There is a tendency, these days, to just run and hide when things get difficult. The tendency is to abort ‘whatever’ it is because it’s too hard. You can’t do that in business. In many cases, such as with my coaching clients, you’ve signed a contract. That’s the real deal. We are not friends. We are in a business relationship. This has nothing to do with emotions – it has everything to do with business. And it is going to get hard. It will be difficult. Whoever promised that being an entrepreneur would be easy? No one! Ever! Keep in mind, too, that being in business was YOUR choice! Of course, there are days when any of us wants to just stay in bed and pull the covers up over our head. Well, then, do that! You are the boss. Have your pity party – but schedule it – wallow in it – then get up and get back in the game. Do not go back on your word on anything. This is your reputation at stake.

3) YOU CANNOT DO IT ALONE – NO ONE CAN!
This is the point where you’ve got to swallow ego and pride and learn to ask for help. This is one of the biggest downfalls of entrepreneurs. Not asking for help is deadly. You will drown when you attempt to do everything yourself. It’s not possible. No one person knows everything. You’ve got to ask for help – and know that it’s ok. That’s why there’s power in working with a business coach (who has a successful track record and whose values are in alignment with yours) and being part of a mastermind group. This is a success strategy. Going behind closed doors at the mastermind retreats is critical to your success. If you aren’t part of this, you are committing business suicide and that’s just stupid! If this is you, then change it today. #StartAgain And this commitment is not just a quick fix either – I have been in a business mastermind with the same business coach for 6 years now. There is magic in this kind of long-term relationship. You’re in it for the long haul.

Of course, there’s emotion when it comes to running a business. Those of you who think differently, because you’re busy comparing the inside of you to the outside of everyone else, are the ones who are working in isolation and who do not know the real truth.

FEEL THE EMOTION AND DO IT ANYWAY!

WHAT EMOTIONS ARE DROWNING YOU RIGHT NOW AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?