If you’re a small business owner, you probably take your work very personally. And if you have a misstep or a failure, thinking about it can drive you crazy, get you down, or make you feel even like you’re a loser. You might get a case of the imposter syndrome, that you’re not as successful as you think you are, or pretend to be – and that you don’t deserve it. I’ve been there, done that, and it’s time to stop thinking that way!
First, treat yourself with the same understanding and caring as you would your best friend or someone else in your situation. Give yourself some slack. Maybe you’re new at a skill or figuring things out, or tried something new and it hasn’t gone as well as expected. Someone looking from the outside in would talk you through it. If you made a mistake, accept it and learn from the experience. I love this Albert Einstein quote: “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
Here’s another biggie. Stop comparing yourself to other experts or businesses. They aren’t you. They don’t come from your background. They’re in a different situation. Maybe they started their businesses 5, 10 or 15 years before you started yours. Instead, draw inspiration from them, learn from their mistakes — I’m sure there were plenty — and create goals to get where you want to go — not where they’re going. This is your path.
One last thing. I like to create a timeline each year. I write down important personal and professional markers and accomplishments. What are your milestones or changes that redirected history? Look at your timeline and see how you’ve grown and how that affected where you are today.
I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking to change your path, grow your business, and get results from your marketing? Contact me at Robin@RobinSamora.com and let’s schedule a call. Talk tomorrow!
