Throughout my career working with business owners and coaching business owners, I have observed the number one predictor of success is simply this: an owner’s possessing a don’t give up attitude.  People who last in business make it through cash flow crisis, self-doubt, changes in markets, changes in the economy, personal crisis, and more.  They are truly in their businesses and when things get tough, they dig in and focus on the solution.  They possess a powerful business mindset. They also experience the joy of knowing that they are in charge of their success and the possibilities are not limited by a salary range or whether or not you will get your next raise or promotion. There is incredible freedom in being your own boss and being the one to put together the strategies and take the inspired actions steps.

Owning a business can feel like being on a roller coaster. You have incredible highs and deep dips. Why not decide to enjoy the ride? The happiest business owners find joy in the process and not just the outcomes.

What if you are a stressed-out business owner? You panic when cash flow dries up and you feel like you worry constantly. The good news is that you can learn to create a don’t give up attitude.  The learning starts with knowing why you started your business in the first place. Keep those reminders around you, so when you are having “one of those days”, you can get your power back by remembering your why. You can also decide that you are in business and stop entertaining thoughts of giving up.

I do tell people that it’s good to keep their jobs if it’s practical when they first start their businesses. This keeps the cash flow worry under control. It’s also great to keep your resume updated and it’s fine to see what’s out there in your industry.

The point when looking for a job becomes self-sabotage is when you put yourself through this every time you face a challenge.  When I quit taking on side jobs after being in business for two years, I was scared. For a few months, I would check out jobs and think about applying every time I got scared. Things changed when I finally had a talk with myself and said, “Look, you are in business, you love being in business, so quit torturing yourself with the idea that you might go get a job.” When I truly decided that I was in business for the long haul and that I was fully committed, my business started taking off. Ten years into my business, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

However, each person is different. Sometimes a biz owner client will say, “I think I might need to get a job.” I don’t try to talk them out of it. I encourage them to explore and see what’s out there. Sometimes, they even apply for jobs. Often, as soon as they submit applications, they get new clients or have more sales. The reason this happens is that the pressure is off. When you release pressure, you create freedom which is very attractive from an energy vibration perspective.

It looks like I just gave two conflicting examples: don’t look for jobs and go look for jobs. The truth is that you are free and empowered all the time. Sometimes a person feels freedom when they decide to stop giving themselves a way out and sometimes a person feels freedom when they take the action steps to see what’s out there. It’s up to you. The point is, whatever you do, don’t torment yourself.

There are four more key aspects of business success which include, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, solid plans, and inspired action steps.

You have a high degree of emotional intelligence when you think before you act, when you can delay gratification, and when you consider other people’s feelings.  According to the Institute of Health and Human Potential, “In practical terms, this means being aware that emotions can drive our behavior and impact people (positively and negatively), and learning how to manage those emotions – both our own and others – especially when we are under pressure.”

Self-Awareness is conscious knowledge of one’s own character, feelings, motives, and desires. When you are self-aware, you see the reason why you do things. For example, you might experience a stressful day working, and then when you see your spouse or child, you snap at them or lash out with angry words. Your frustration has nothing to do with them. A self-aware person will realize where the frustration is coming from and choose not to lash out, or at the very least, immediately apologize. Self-aware people have better relationships and more success. A self-aware person will notice that procrastination may be stemming from fear and take the needed action. A self-aware person will notice if he or she is tired or hungry and take the appropriate self-care steps.

You can increase your self-awareness through conscious actions. Writing in a journal helps. Stopping and observing yourself helps. Asking questions like, “What is really going on with me?” will help you see yourself more accurately.  You can also take assessments like DISC, StrengthsFinder, Myers-Briggs, and others. You can work with a coach, a therapist, or a mentor who will help you create an accurate picture of your skills, your strengths, and your opportunities for improvement. Self-awareness increases through effort and practice.  The reward for increasing your self-awareness is that you will make deliberate choices in your life. You will act instead of reacting.

A successful business person creates solid plans. This doesn’t mean you must create an elaborate business plan (unless you are applying for a bank loan or have a board of directors). A business plan can be one sheet of paper with a bullet list of objectives. Your daily plan could be as simple as a 6 most important things to do list. The most important part of having a solid plan is that it keeps you from being scattered and “blowing with the wind.”  You will know what you want to do and how you intend to accomplish your goals.

Create a simple business plan by deciding how much money you want to bring in and then break it down into products/services, units you want to sell, pricing, marketing, and expenses. Then you will fill in the action steps. Some people struggle creating a 12-month plan. You may have more success by focusing on 90 days at a time.

Then, taking inspired action steps are what makes business fun. I am a fan of inspired action as opposed to any other kind of action. Inspired action doesn’t feel like work. It feels like play. There is a freedom when you feel inspired. How can you find your own inspired action steps?

A good place to start is by learning to listen to your intuitive guidance. We all have an inner compass that drives our actions. Our inner compass lets us know things like who is worthy of our trust. It reveals an inspired idea for a product, a book, a vacation, a potential new hire and more.  If you want to have more inspiration on a daily basis, create periods of quiet time where you write in a journal, listen to soulful music, pray, or meditate.  When you quiet the chatter that goes on in your mind, you allow inspiration to spring forward.  When your action is inspired, you will see less and less procrastination. You will also notice less indecision.

Focus on your “don’t give up” attitude, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, solid plans, and inspired action steps and you will be well on your way to creating a thriving business.

If you liked this, you will love my free training Discover How to Grow Your Biz Without a Big List

Sheri Kaye Hoff

Coach, Trainer, and Author, Sheri Kaye Hoff, is a Business Coach known for inspiring massive action and a catalyst for personal and business growth, joy, and profits in a way that is fun, relaxing, and fulfilling, Sheri inspires people to do the work they love and make more money. Sheri helps business owners and professionals to relax into success. She uses both spiritual and practical techniques to obliterate blocks and create dramatic change. She is a business, leadership, happiness, and inner game expert. She has overcome nearly dying, and the loss of her brother at an early age. She has made it her life mission to discover the keys to happiness and success and then share them with her clients and community. Learn More About Sheri