Sometimes you have to leave behind good to get to great.
When you’re just starting your entrepreneurial journey, this can be difficult to not only see but also enforce. Afterall, the mind loves to play tricks on us during these crucial stages. As we push outside our comfort zone, the brain tries harder and harder to protect us and keep us “safe”. Unfortunately, this often manifests as self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness. What I learned early on is it’s essential to state your value and create your standards…and then stick to them!
- Confidently declare who you are.
For me, a lot changed when I moved from New York to Connecticut. As much as I loved New York, my identity was sealed shut there. I was known as the single mom working as a waitress, but I knew I had big dreams to become a credit expert and build a business. I was one foot in and one foot out living in the city because it was hard to grow when everywhere I turned reminded me of my old thoughts, beliefs, and identities. I knew that if I wanted to assert myself in the industry, I was going to have to make a change and start anew. So that’s exactly what I did!
When I moved to Connecticut it was like a blank canvas. New places, people, and opportunities were stretched out before me. I was no longer known as “Jeanne Kelly, waitress,” instead I got to try my new identity on for size — “Jeanne Kelly, credit expert.” The more I declared my new title, the more confident I became in it. As we know, the words we speak to ourselves hold a lot of power and influence. Becoming confident is an inside job. If you don’t believe you, no one else will either.
- First things first.
One of my favorite books, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, taught me to put the first things first. In the early stages of building a business (and honestly, at any stage) you will constantly feel pulled in a million different directions. There will always be things that need your attention. It’s important that you get clear on your priorities and show up fully for them. If you don’t have this determined for yourself, it will be easy to spiral and get distracted. Not only will you burn yourself out trying to keep up, you’ll also miss out on many golden opportunities!
I remember there was this time when I first moved to Connecticut that I was presented with two incredible invitations. A new friend of mine, who had an extensive network and was generous enough to share it with me, had extended an invitation to an event that would result in immediate clients. As a blossoming business, you know how crucial that is! New clients are always a yes, and sometimes the deciding factor between making rent that month or not. I was in no position to turn it down…except, that I was! Since I was living by the “first things first” motto, I politely declined the invitation because I had already made a commitment to my good friend back home. The restaurant I formerly waitressed at was hosting President Bill Clinton and my friend told me I absolutely had to be there! I wanted to be there to support him (and my work family) for this amazing, once in a lifetime spectacle. So I set my boundary, stayed true to my priorities, and declined the “instant client” temptation to show up for those I loved and made a commitment to.
The pay off? Not only was I able to support my work family, I also got to take pictures with the president (which was one of the coolest experiences ever!). When my new friends and prospective clients back in Connecticut caught wind of the photos, I was suddenly in high demand. It taught me that when you move with a pure heart and genuine intentions, you don’t have to work hard to prove yourself. You just get to be you and allow that to be enough!
- Don’t work for free.
There are exceptions to everything, but if you’re going to work for free it should be because you choose to, not because you feel like you have to.
This can be a hard one to digest when you’re first starting out and feel a lot of pressure to “get the next client.” I remember I always felt like I had to provide my services for free to get to the next level. I’d justify it by saying, “if I do this for them, they will do this for me.” More often than not though, the exchange was a one-way street…and one that seemed to never end. The more I undervalued myself, the harder it was to shift the dynamic and enforce new boundaries.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to help people! And I always do my best to do so. However, when you’re running a business, you have to be intentional about where you’re spending your time and resources in order to generate a sustainable income. How you show up for you and your business, will tell others how to show up for you and your business too! And remember, you’re more than worth it.
For more tips on entrepreneurship, be sure to purchase my latest book Making It Happen. It’s filled with my favorite stories on overcoming adversity and the greatest lessons learned along the way that are sure to empower your own entrepreneurial endeavor!
