Change Your Beliefs, Change Your Business-Stars
Our beliefs tend to govern how we see the world around us. This ranges from our values around what’s right versus wrong, how one is supposed to live life, the nature of people, our views on politics, culture, the environment, and more. These beliefs are especially apparent in business. They play a critical role in our entrepreneurial drive and the opportunities we seek.
Our beliefs can do one of two things: Help us or hinder us. It is important for everyone to recognize which beliefs are limiting potential and make the changes needed to succeed.
Here are six limiting beliefs that are holding you back from achieving true success.
“I don’t have enough experience”
This belief is a common excuse for not starting a business or entering a certain field. The truth is, there is no real reason why you are not capable of taking the first step. Even if quitting your job is currently unfeasible, you can set aside time before and after work and, and on weekends, to begin anywhere: mind map your business plan, set up a website, outline tasks that need to be done to get started. When you just start somewhere, you will have completed the first part of your business, which will begin a natural snowball effect of ideas and inspiration to really get your start up off the ground.
“I don’t have enough money saved up to start my business”
Often, it’s not the money holding you back; that is just the excuse your give yourself because the reality is that you just don’t believe you are ready. There are dozens of ways to get the capital to start your business: crowd funding, personal loans, business grants and angel investors to name just a few.
“The market isn’t doing well right now”
As a business person, you have to be constantly looking out for ways to capitalize on situations. You can’t allow external factors, such as “market conditions,” to stop you from innovating and finding ways to succeed. These are excuses, not reasons. Throw out this limiting belief and adopt the belief that the market doesn’t control your business; you do.
“This is what worked in the past so let’s continue doing it”
If a strategy or campaign worked in the past, it’s because the right strategy was implemented at the right time. In the present, that strategy may still be a great one, but it may be the wrong time for it to succeed. Or, doing it the way you’ve always done it may be effective, but time consuming and outdated given the number of automation systems and digital advantages we have today. Running a business is a constant learning process, which involves adapting to current circumstances.
When thoughts of how things were done previously start to crop up, make sure they’re put in check by a rational and calculated judgment of how effective they will be in the present. Don’t let this belief be the root cause of repeated failures.
“The economy hasn’t fully recovered so people aren’t buying”
Once again, this is a common belief that blames an external factor on the success (or struggle) of the business. Often, when the overall economy is in a rut, innovative businesses thrive. They see the state of affairs and find a way to market their products in manner that appeals to the struggling consumer. Or, they take the opportunity to find undervalued investments that will result in a massive ROI once the economy recovers. They believe in taking responsibility for their success no matter what external conditions may be like.
“I know everything about the industry”
This is a dangerous thought that can become an insidious threat to any business. Once you claim to be the best, to know everything there is to know, that’s when you let your guard down, giving your competitors an opportunity snatch a larger share of the market. Instead, adopt the belief that in order to maintain your success you have to work nonstop to be one step ahead. That way, you safeguard yourself from becoming a vulnerable target.
Finally, its important to remember that you simply don’t know what you don’t know; The most successful entrepreneurs among us are teachable and willing to take guidance from mentors and coaches.
