What I wish I'd known in business?

5 years ago, after a few tough years in my business, I wrote a letter to myself as a reminder if I was starting out in business all over again.

Things continue to be challenging out there for so many of you and so I thought it might be helpful to share this letter with you all as a reminder of the lessons I wrote to myself all those years ago.?

So… wearing my heart on my sleeve, here goes nothing…

“Dear Business ME,

You’ve done ok. 6 years ago you left your 6-figure corporate job with all its trappings, to pursue your own path. I know it was hard at times, really hard. And I know there were times when you were seriously thinking about throwing in the towel. But, once again, you’ve done ok. You’ve found the work you love, the people and clients you enjoy working with and your passion for building up women in business fires you up every day to do more and be more.

I apologise that I didn’t have the experience that we have now. But hindsight is of course a wonderful thing. However, in case time travel becomes a possibility… here are your top 7 tips to yourself for making success happen with, if not ease, then some grace and perhaps a bit less stress!

1. Own your dream

Throughout the years you will experience the good, the bad and sometimes even the downright ugly in terms of business and what you can expect from those involved in it. There will be moments where the unicorns have wandered off and as opposed to celebrating with the pop of a champagne bottle you find yourself drowning in it instead. Through it all, pay attention to your bigger picture dream, do the stuff that really matters, believe in yourself, maintain a positive attitude, adopt daily habits that feed your positivity – that will be key.

2. You can’t do it alone

Find your tribe – connect with the people that get you, your dreams, support you and what you are doing. Don’t try to fit in with others simply because you think you should. Find like-minded thinkers, believers and dreamers. They will feed your self-belief and your dreams. They will push you to do more and they are there to support you every step of the way. Make the journey fun as well as hard work. It will be so much more enjoyable.

3. Have a bias for action

Do the things that matter… the things that REALLY matter.? Do those important things that are a stepping stone to your ultimate ‘why’. This will require persistence and personal accountability. A bias for action will be the extra oomph where others may crumble. Wasn’t it Thomas Edison who said ‘genius is 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration’? He was right. It is hard work that gets you where you want to go. It’s the focus on what matters as opposed to following shiny stuff that makes a difference. Inspiration and dreams are absolutely essential to making your story happen – but unless you are prepared to dedicate yourself to that story, it will never jump off the page and into real life.

4. Be courageous in everything you do

Have the courage to stand in your own spotlight, to use your voice, to ask for help and to be vulnerable. Don’t be afraid to be different, and to challenge the status quo. There are times when you will be challenged or when you will give in to others’ values, expectations or plans – and you will look back and kick yourself, and wish you’d had the courage to trust your intuition. That intuition, that gut feeling? Don’t ever mistrust it. It is a key part of you, and you should learn that it is one of your best assets. Ignore it at your peril.

5. Learn every single day and continuously

Keep your eyes and ears open to everything around you. Recognise the gifts that are presented to you – to us – every day. See the value in the people you meet. Question them. Question their wealth of knowledge. Take in every available resource. Never ever lose sight of your goals – to know as much as you can about your business, your industry, your world. Learn. Listen. Do.

6. Whatever you do, look after yourself!

You will forget this at times, I know, especially in the early stages, when you are trying to get things up and running. And even when things are running well you still won’t stop out of fear of the business stopping. But remember that true success is a reflection of total vitality.? Manage your mojo. Nurture you. Allow yourself the time to celebrate every little stage and each small achievement, to dream, to create, to rest and above all to think.

7.? Above all else – be you

The reality is this. You matter. Every choice and action you take, every word you speak has the capacity to influence others and, in turn, the decisions being made at that moment in time. Your views are unique to you. Don’t be afraid to be brilliant. Have the resilience to shine and follow your dreams. Walk the talk, own your skills, strengths and goals. Be you and commit wholeheartedly to your dreams no matter what others think of them.

Enjoy the business ride, dear Me.

I know I did."

Are you enjoying your business journey right now? If not, I hope these 7 tips ease some of the stress, or at least let you know that you are not alone.?

Janine X

p.s. If you are feeling stuck in your own business journey and want to be surrounded by a community of like-minded female business owners then I have something that may help you out!

We have just re-opened the doors for my Elevate Mastermind and have a limited number of spots left.

If you would like to work with me then let's jump on a call and see if we would be a good fit for each other!? (book a call here)