Who are you voting for, in your business?

One of the most important decisions I have made was to invest in myself.

When I committed to a training program that cost $14,000 –I was casting a vote of confidence in ME. No one else could have that belief for me: no spouse, no friend, no family member. I had to believe in myself AND act on that belief.

For me, having the belief and acting on it took the form of 1) writing a $14,000 check, 2) travelling to Florida for a week of hard work and 3) exposing myself and being vulnerable to others. I did all of that out of faith in myself and my abilities.

It wasn’t fun – not exactly, though there were lots of humorous moments. It *was* a tremendous learning experience.

On writing a $14,000 check. At the moment I decided to join the program, I strongly felt that just the act of paying this much money was such a statement of belief in myself, that even if I received zero training in return, it would be worth it. Fast forward to the moment I had to actually write the check: I was feeling a huge amount of anxiety, which led into a 48-hour panic attack. I worked through that.

On exposing myself and being vulnerable. The program itself felt as I had imagined boot camp to feel; first they tear you down, then they build you up. I had to give an initial presentation, receive feedback followed by training, then give an improved presentation. My initial presentation received an F. Fortunately, they liked my clothes. That was the only positive comment for me on day one.

I had choices about how to move forward. I could have withdrawn into my self-protective armor and discounted what they said, which would allow me to continue doing exactly what I had been doing all along. Or I could open up to the possibility that my presentation was in fact less-than-stellar and receive new ideas.

I went with option 2 – to open up my mind and let something new enter into me.

There was a memorable example of a program participant who did the opposite. She came, she cried, she went home. I’m confident her business is proceeding along the same tracks it was on prior to the program.

I know that my business grows when I grow. If I don’t grow, then my business remains exactly the same size.

Are you committed to your growth, and therefore your business’s growth? Not just in your verbal commitment, but through the commitment that is shown through your actions?

I see people all the time who talk about what they want for their business, yet they don’t act in ways that match up.

Their words are about growth and expansion; their actions are about remaining exactly the same size and shape.

I want to be clear: every entrepreneur has some big goals, so there absolutely can be a difference between what you want and what you’re achieving right now. The distinction is this: are your actions moving you toward your big goal, or are you spinning your wheels in the same rut as always?

If you’re committed to growth, and you’re an entrepreneur, then you must invest in yourself. YOU are the key resource in your business. YOU are the only difference between your business and another similar business.

Once you’re clear on this, deciding where to invest in your business becomes much clearer.

CALL TO ACTION

Are you ready to move out of being unhappy and comfortable, into growth and the discomfort that precedes success?

Then look within and consider what has been holding you back during the last year. What do you want to release?

Thinking small? Being un-confident? Avoiding people? Procrastinating?

How can you grow in that specific area? For some people, self-study works; others need more accountability and a personal touch.