How many people jump right into something with full confidence and just succeed right away? Probably not all that many, but it happens.
The worst thing you can ever tell yourself is “I can’t.” “I can’t make that deadline.” “I can’t impress my colleagues.” “I can’t do it.” But why can’t you?
Shoo Away the Negativity
Seriously, escort that crap right out the door! There are so many driving factors in our lives that keep us up and going or that drag us right under. For me lately, it’s the latter. In yesterday’s post, “Time Management and Small Businesses: What’s that mean?,” I briefly discuss all the ways that I stay busy: my full-time job, my education, home life, small business, etc. Each of these activities I “accomplish” every day come with a lot of “behind the scenes” struggles. For example, at my full-time job, I’m due for a promotion. Not because anybody sees the exceptional job I do or because I’ve studied the last five years with degree in hand to qualify for the position, but because I’m here and they know I am not going anywhere. Even so, this should be exciting. I’m getting a promotion!
It’s not that exciting, I promise. See, at my place of work, there are driving forces that want to see me drown in my own misery. There are hateful people that make sure I can never feel confident about the good things. Therefore, this promotion remains “hush hush” because nobody wants to “step on toes.” This happens because one person will be livid at the fact that I would get something that they will not. This person is a snake, poisoning the minds of those that control my career and my position. The point is, something like this can really cut deep and make you feel undervalued and not all that important.
Instead, stop feeling undervalued and know your worth! You are getting the promotion, you are more than qualified, and you are good at what you do! That person that dictates your feelings and the way others treat you, shoo them out the door. Remove the poison from your life and move on to great things.
Build Your Confidence and Succeed
But how? I’m asking for a friend.
Building confidence for success will, of course, start with the above discussion: remove the negative from your life and replace it with positivity. Even if you don’t feel it, force a smile and make them believe it. Staying in a pool of negative feelings will drown you. Your motivation is reduced and it drags you down to lows you didn’t know you could get to. Surround yourself with positive energy; surround yourself with positive people and let them be your positive influence and your push when you’re feeling sluggish.
This is an especially important concept when you’re running your own business. Consider your customers. How are they supposed to be confident in your business if you aren’t? Like I said, force a smile, make them believe you have the confidence to make you unstoppable.
Educate Yourself
Learn until you can learn no more.
Whatever it is that you sell or whatever business you are running, become an expert. Read books, attend seminars, ask questions; do what you have to do to succeed in your industry. You can never know too much.
Establish Objectives
What are you trying to accomplish?
Establish objectives that you want for your business. Create a clear and concise vision of what your business is to become and work toward it. Make sure it’s a narrow scope. Don’t make your objective so broad that your only goal is to “make tons of cash.” Instead, narrow it and think more along the lines of “I’m going to make 10 extra sales next month.” Don’t forget to reevaluate those objectives from time to time. Make sure you’re always pushing yourself to new heights. But be sure it’s more of a gradual climb and not a leap.
Risky Business
You dance in your underwear and socks, but I’m not talking Tom Cruise’s Risky Business.
When I say risky business, I don’t mean put your business at risk of failure, but rather take risks that will in turn benefit your business. For example, doing the same old boring thing all the time gets, well, boring. Spice it up and do something with your business you’ve never done. Get out of your comfort zone and create a fresh environment for your business. Run a contest, reach out to your followers, ask their advice, put your business out there!
No More Doubt
I think I can, I think I can – and I will.
I’m no little engine, but I have a little business that could. And with the right steps, I just might have a little business that did and will. The first thing I need to do, though, is stop saying “can’t.” It’s a nasty word and just needs removed from my vocabulary. Nobody likes to be told they can’t do something. I’m willing to bet that you don’t like it much when other people tell you that you can’t do something. Then why do you do it to yourself? By believing in yourself and your work – by removing the incessant doubt, you can. You can and you will. Stick it to the doubt and just do it.
You Better Recognize
*Insert sass here.*
All those many little victories need to be recognized. I can’t say it enough. If you only focus on what went wrong or what you didn’t do well enough, you’re creating an opening for doubt and negativity to slip back into your life, and you don’t want that. So what if you only made a $3 sale? You made a $3 sale! And for all you know, that customer will tell their friends and before you know it, you’ll be making ten $3 sales or twenty $3 sales and on and on it will go. Despite what Green Day says in their song “Nice Guys Finish Last,” just give yourself a pat on the back once in a while. I promise, it won’t break your spine.
As always, I’m not saying my advice means anything, but as I write this, I keep myself in mind. In a way, I’m trying to give myself a pep talk. My little store, Live Peculiar at http://www.livepeculiarshop.com, is my newest baby and I just want to see that baby grow into a big kid one day and take the world by storm.
Live Peculiar 