How often do you look at other entrepreneurs, and/or read their FB posts, and wonder ‘are there success stories really real’? I actually sent a note to my own coach this past weekend asking her about a certain individual who has been posting about HUGE client successes lately – and was wondering the same thing.
Many of us can fall into the trap of thinking everyone else is succeeding, and quickly, but not us! That’s pretty normal I think. And I think that because …….listen……being an entrepreneur is hard work. There are so many ups and downs.
Why does it seem that others are making so much more progress and are more successful?
My first question to you is ‘have you stopped to actually identify what the word ‘success’ means to you’? One reason I love coaching entrepreneurs is because every one of my clients is at a different stage in business and they are all in such varied businesses – from a funeral director, to a financial planner, to senior event planners. Business is business.
Success can be measured in so many different ways. Here are a few – so you can create your own benchmarks – along with some results from some of my clients.
- BUILD A TEAM
As entrepreneurs, we are all control freaks. We are! No one can do it better than us. And we attempt to do everything ourselves. Well, let me tell you – that doesn’t work (and you know that anyway!). Right out of the gate, it’s critical that you hire help. We each have a God-given talent and have gained some expertise – that’s typically the reason you got into business in the first place! You will build your business much faster – and make much more money – when you do the work you are here to do – and delegate and outsource the rest. Build your team. It makes much more sense to hire someone at a lesser rate while you go out and get paid at the higher rate that you deserve!
Client success:
Heather Reid: I have hired another subcontractor for just 10 hours a week – and although she is not in place yet – I have a wonderful sense of “calm” that this was the absolute right decision and is going to move my “client fulfillment” portion of my business forward in so many ways!! Not glamorous but exciting to me!
- THE MONEY IS IN THE FOLLOW-UP!
Many of you are out there networking your little hearts out! And that is an essential marketing step in order to grow your business. Where most of you fall down – and lose sight of where the money is – comes in the follow up. The money truly is in the follow-up. Less than 10% of the business population actually do any kind of follow-up. Networking is like farming. You plant the seed – you nurture the seed – you reap the harvest. Not all seeds come to fruition immediately. Thus, you must be ‘out there’ constantly and consistently, filling your funnel and then be diligent about following up with all contacts.
Client success:
Susan Phillips I met with an Executive Director about 6 months ago and at the time they had a contracted event planner. He said he was really impressed with me and my company but needed to convince his board of directors it was time for a change. I followed up with him 3 months later, just to see how things were going. Well this morning he sent me an RFP for their 2015 event!! So excited!
- BE GRATEFUL!
As human beings, we move through our successes much too quickly. That is a disservice to you and to your business. Making time to be aware of, and give thanks for, the good work that we do is a critical component when it comes to building self-confidence. As entrepreneurs, we get enough ‘hard knocks’ – so why we DO NOT stop and celebrate our successes is beyond me! It’s a habit I regularly encourage my clients to practice.
Client success:
Patrice Gildner: You never know what is going to switch on the light bulb. Pat’s initiative for us to ‘do the numbers’ immediately made me think $$$. However, another number that deserved its own space is 7 notes of gratitude I received this week from my newsletter and intuitive work. Sometimes I get too ‘busy’ to let that gratitude sink in. Mmmmm, basking in it!
- SHARE SUCCESSES WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES!
Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely life. To expedite my progress and grow my business , I always work with a business coach and belong to a high level mastermind group. As part of that, it’s helpful to have an accountability buddy. So, if you are not stopping and making the time to celebrate, you have colleagues who will check in on you and ensure that you take this step in the success journey. No one can do it alone. My clients are very active in their private Facebook forum and not only support each other – but celebrate each other. It’s critical to one’s mental health. Who celebrates you?
Client success:
Tina Ad: also-my celebrations are…3 new clients this week, Follow-up success, ALL my clients are pre-booking, and I’m booked until mid- July -Yay!
SUCCESS can be identified and measured in numerous ways – and it’s all about acknowledging and celebrating the baby steps along the way.
So, I ask you the questions:
1) what steps are you taking to grow your business,
2) work with ideal clients,
3) make more money and
4) live your best life?
I really want to hear from you – the more ideas we/you share, the more others will be inspired. Let’s get going…….
Please share your thoughts!
