Can You Go It Alone?

I’m in Los Angeles right now at Ali Brown’s Blueprint Success Workshop. Imagine being in a room with 450 other entrepreneurs, all of whom are here to develop themselves and their business. The energy level is very high! Introductions, new product ideas, and discussions for joint ventures are going on here 24/7. Honestly, after two long days (one more to go) I’m both juiced up and worn out!

Entrepreneurs who work their business vision get caught in a conundrum fairly early on. What is it?

* We like to control everything from conception to creation in our business. Entrepreneurs are often

perfectionists and we just can’t let go!

* In order for us to succeed at the highest level, we must build support, community, a team. And doing

that means personal growth in — guess what — learning to let go.

I’ve seen many a great business idea flounder and eventually fail because the budding entrepreneur doesn’t get this very basic truth – to succeed in a big way requires power greater than yours alone. It requires stepping out, letting others in, and creating community to support you. The truth is, you cannot go it alone.

One way to measure someone’s commitment to their business is to assess their willingness to grow a team. If I hear “I can’t afford it” I know right away that person’s gut commitment to their own business is weaker than it needs to be. Refusing to get help is a very subtle form of self-sabotage. It usually means that you are based in fear.

Building one’s own business is so much fun, I love it – but it is also hard work. It requires a continual, steady level of energy, the willingness to step out and take risks that make your stomach turn over sometimes, and quick decision making. It’s rare to find an individual who can do all that all alone. We need others. We create synergy and open possibilities when we tap into what others can offer us. We free our own energy to focus on the thing WE do best – the ideas and vision of creating something new. No, 99.9% of the time, you can’t go it alone. Fully commit to your vision, and search for those who will support you, challenge you, and help you. That’s the way to make your business thrive.