I was honored to be a speaker for the International Association of Law of Attraction Professionals Seize Your Success summit last week. Its founder, Katherine CHE, asked me to talk about the beliefs and behaviors that keep entrepreneurs from sustaining profitable businesses. Here are 7 of the beliefs and behaviors, along with the end results, that keep self-employed business owners small.
1. False belief: Yo
u can serve anyone.
Behavior: Resistance to narrowing your niche
Result: Marketing is scattered, weak “who and do what” statement, fumblling to find the best places to network.
2. False belief: When someone asks about your business and acts interested in what you do, they are ready to purchase.
Behavior: Disappointment when conversation doesn’t always equal a sale. Failure to assess readiness to buy.
Result: Lack of confidence in marketing, avoidance of marketing activities, decreased income.
3. False belief: Once your website is up and running it’s done.
Behavior: Failure to update website with fresh content, lack of updated media page, no integration with other segments of your web presence.
Result: You have a very expensive e-brochure on the Internet that doesn’t attract customers or do anything to add to your bottom line.
4. False belief: New customers (or clients) will tell you their issue.
Behavior: Failing to ask questions of new customers to comprehensively assess their problems and create a solution that covers all their pain points.
Result: Customers feel they’ve spent money but still have problems, complain of high cost. You lose repeat business.
5. False belief: You can’t afford to waste money in your business.
Behavior: Failure to spend resources on expansion or business deals that carry risk.
Result: Your business either stays the same or fails over time.
6. False belief: Data gives you the very best guidance to move your business forward, base all decisions on your list of pros and cons.
Behavior: Lack of decisiveness as you wait for definative and perfect answers, lack of factoring in your own intuition.
Result: Stalemate in your business.
7. False belief: Fear is a warning sign that must be obeyed.
Behavior: Lack of action when you feel doubtful, fearful, or uncomfortable.
Result: Your business either stays static or begins to fail, no personal or business growth.
The bottom line for entrepreneurs is that marching in place may gain safety but it doesn’t gain success. If your mind is inherently set against making mistakes, spending money when you can’t guarantee success, and giving priority to feeling safe you’re not cut out to be in your own business. Louse Hays once said, “There’s no such thing as static health, every day your health changes for the better or for the worse.” It’s the same for your business.
As solo biz owners it’s very easy to start feeling isolated, uncertain, and stuck. If that’s where you are right now check out my Access Your Success quick coaching. It’s specifically designed to assess, review, and design your next step. Go from icky to action!
Jenny Fenig says
November 27, 2011 at 7:17 amThese tips are spot-on, Sue! Love what they bring up for me and the evolution of my biz. Your passion for marketing and entrepreneurship is inspiring. xoxo
Sue Painter says
November 27, 2011 at 10:49 amThanks so much, Jenny. I’m honored to be inspiring to you. 🙂
Carmen@OrganizedEntrepreneur says
November 26, 2011 at 4:48 pmSue — This is SO powerful! I would love for you to speak on this same topic to my association. Let’s talk. 🙂 ~ Carmen
Sue Painter says
November 26, 2011 at 5:01 pmCarmen,
I’m happy to speak to your association on this topic. Just SKYPE or e-mail me and we’ll set it up.
Sue
Trudy Scott, Food Mood Expert and Nutritionist says
November 21, 2011 at 2:01 pmReally excellent points Sue!
Of course this one comment resonated a lot too: Louise Hays once said, “There’s no such thing as static health, every day your health changes for the better or for the worse.” It’s the same for your business.
Thanks
Trudy
Dr. Robert Fenell says
November 20, 2011 at 9:41 pmGreat, sound business advise Sue! You’re a ROCKSTAR!
Dr. Robert Fenell
Sue Painter says
November 21, 2011 at 5:19 amThanks so much, Bob.
Kiyla Fenell says
November 20, 2011 at 9:41 pmSue,
These are great and if more entrepreneurs followed this advise would find themselves a lot farther ahead in the game of business. Thanks!
Kiyla Fenell
Sue Painter says
November 21, 2011 at 5:20 amGlad you like these, Kiyla. You give out great advice yourself, you know!
Katherine C. H. E. says
November 18, 2011 at 2:07 pmSue: you ROCKED your class for the iaLOAp. THANK YOU for sharing your expertise. It is so important that we let go of our limiting beliefs because we are truly limitless and no one except ourselves can create limits for us! LOVE, Katherine
CEO/Founder, iaLOAp
International Association of Law of Attraction Professionals
http://www.ialoap.com
Sue Painter says
November 18, 2011 at 2:27 pmThanks so much, Katherine. It was way fun to do.
Sue
Lisa Manyon says
November 18, 2011 at 10:24 amSue,
You had me at that false belief that once your website is up it’s done. Well, you know how I feel about that. 🙂
Write on!~
Lisa
Sue Painter says
November 18, 2011 at 1:51 pmLisa,
You made me laugh out loud. 🙂
Sue
Tiffany deSilva says
November 17, 2011 at 2:19 pmGreat post, Sue! I especially love points 5, 6, and 7. Playing it safe NEVER results in success. You actually have to step up to in order to step up.
Sue Painter says
November 17, 2011 at 7:09 pmI like that, Tiffany! Step up to step up. Right!
Linda Pucci says
November 17, 2011 at 1:56 pmThis posting is SO great, Sue. I was tickled to realize I had made every single one of these mistakes during the early days of my business. I’ve learned SO much over the years, and so appreciate the part you’ve played in teaching me! Wish I’d known you at the very beginning!
Sue Painter says
November 17, 2011 at 7:10 pmHi Linda,
Thanks for your comment and the compliment. Always enjoy talking with you!
Sue
Jeff Brunson says
November 16, 2011 at 8:39 amWow! That’s about the sum of my thoughts. What a great and thoughtful list of warnings … and each one very realistic and present to deal with for anyone who has been on their own for just about any length of time. Very timely reminders for me as I’m in the throes of my planning season (strategic energy from my evolving business model story). Thanks!
Sue Painter says
November 16, 2011 at 9:48 amJeff,
I’m glad the list can be “just in time” for you. I think lots of us are in the throes of planning out next year!
Sue
Bill Painter says
November 15, 2011 at 10:39 pmGreat points. Jumping to the “answer” for yur client instead of getting the full picture is a disservice to both them and you. It is a good point that it will lead to disappointment since you are not solving all of their problem or else setting the boundry of what yu are going to solve.
Mary Ellen Miller says
November 15, 2011 at 9:25 pmFantastic post Sue and so timely! I embark on my 2012 strategic planning tomorrow. Thanks for pumping me up!
Sue Painter says
November 15, 2011 at 10:02 pmThanks, Mel!