Fear – it’s built into our DNA. It’s what kept our ancestors alive for centuries – and wakes entrepreneurs at 3 am! Scientists tell us that some fear is good. We’ve all had the sweaty palm experience before an important presentation that improves our performance but when does too much fear spook your business growth?
Month: October 2012
It Takes a Village To Run a Successful Business
“No man (or woman) is an island.” I’m sure you’re familiar with that famous saying. Essentially it means that no one learns, grows, and achieves in a vacuum – although sometimes we would like to think we can. 🙂
Coming together and working together is essential in today’s marketplace. There’s a special kind of magic that is created when a community of support and wise sage is formed. To steal a concept from a famous title — it takes a village to run a successful business.
Let’s take a look at your village….
The Basics for Business Coaching: Establishing the Relationship
You’ve worked hard to establish your business. It’s not only your way of life but you’ve made a substantial investment into ensuring it’s success. Therefore, hiring a strategic business coach is an excellent way to enhance the return on that investment into your business. To experience a meaningful ROI on business coaching, you want to develop a relationship with your business coach that creates a collaborative, supportive environment, one in which you excel. To achieve this, consider the who, what, why, where and how of developing an effective relationship.
Is Decision Fatigue Slowing Your Business Growth?
I would have written this blog yesterday – but I didn’t have “it” in me. I was mentally spent. It wasn’t because I hadn’t slept well the night before or put in an 18 hour day – I had reached my decision making capacity for the day and, like any overworked muscle, my brain was out of steam and needed to recuperate.
What happens to entrepreneurs who experience decision fatigue? Decision fatigue operates much like any other kind of fatigue. Entrepreneurs suffering from decision fatigue are easily distracted, have difficulty staying focused, experience greater pessimism, and lapses in judgment. Although one may not feel physically fatigued, entrepreneurs experience a decline in mental energy – the very currency needed to remain innovative and creative to grow the business.
Entrepreneurs Use Improv to Improve Business Skills
I’ve recently taken improv. Although it may be a bit out of character, (I’m more likely to take a course that feeds the ever-hungry left side of my brain.) it’s proven to be a worthwhile experience for business. How I came to take the class is likely fodder for a future blog, but what’s really more interesting is how improv fundamentals improve your business skills.
Does Your Definition of Business Success Belong to You?
What? As a smart, ambitious, innovative entrepreneur, you thought you had defined your business success, right? Think again! Most entrepreneurs believe they have created their unique definition of business success yet, once engaged in business coaching, they discover that their definition of success is not the success they really wanted for themselves. The success they are so passionately pursuing is influenced mightily by the expectations of others.
Business Coach or Business Consultant: The Decisive Difference
Before the dawn of the coaching profession in the early 90’s, there were limited resources available to support entrepreneurs in their business growth. Most entrepreneurs looked to business consultants to help them achieve their desired outcomes. Business consultants possess special knowledge or skills that help all sorts of businesses find and implement solutions – for a fee. Not to say that business coaches don’t charge a fee, however, the business model used by business consultants to deliver on the outcomes make it financially impossible for most small to mid-size companies to access support to grow their enterprises. Enter the strategic business coach….
An Entrepreneur’s Etch-A-Sketch Moment
The first day of the month signals a new beginning. No matter how often I’ve veered off course from my intended plan during the previous month, I get a reboot. No matter the missteps or detours, the slate is wiped clean. It’s my very own entrepreneurial Etch-A-Sketch moment!