I often hear my coaching clients doubting themselves and their success. In fact, I don’t just hear it from them, I sometimes find I do the same. We are bombarded by images and projections of success & what that should look like, and it’s hard not to be influenced by that and start losing confidence in your brand & your business.
So it really isn’t unusual to think you’re doing worse than you actually are. Self evaluation isn’t easy, and your successes can be hard to see sometimes unless you’re looking in the right places for it.
If you feel like you’re working hard with little to show for it, you’re probably mistaken. It’s likely that you’re doing a lot better than you think! Working with a business coach like me gives you someone who has a very different view of your business than you do. That allows us to see things differently – and to recognise your successes and help you build on them, even when you think it’s all going to hell in a handcart!
Have a think about it – here are some signs you might not be looking for that do actually show you that you are doing OK. In fact, more than OK – take a look:
- You don’t keep doing the stuff that doesn’t work. Strange one to have first right? But it’s important. If you learn from your mistakes, and from your successes, you are innovating, adapting and moving forward. If you continue to make the same mistakes over and over again, you are simply standing still. So, first thing is to recognise that learning from the stuff that doesn’t go the way you want it to, or that is better than you were ever expecting is a good thing!
- You know what you want. If you know where you are going, you are streets ahead of everyone aimlessly floating through life waiting for the next big thing. Sometimes, my clients start working with me doing one thing, then, after a few months (generally the magic tip point is in month 3, for some it’s a lot longer – I wrote about that here), realise that they want to take a different path or have a different focus. That’s all good stuff - knowing what you want is a good thing!
- You don’t faff about. See point 2. Not everyone has global domination as their ultimate goal. But if you spend your time well and remain focussed on what you want, good things happen. That’s why I send my clients (well, the ones who want them), personalised action notes after each coaching call with me to help them stay focussed and on track. If you spend your time faffing about waiting for the magic bullet that’s going to make it all happen for you, you’ll be waiting a very long time.
- You are doing the schizzle to make it happen. Consistent progress is a great sign. Even if you feel like you are lightyears from your goal, all you need is regular progress. Every step you take towards what you want is a good thing. Every, single, one. I celebrate each step with the clients I work with, because I know how hard it can be to take them, and how important they are.
- You are putting the work in. Successful people put in some work on a daily basis. Every single day. Even on the ones where they just want to burrow into their duvet and not come out. Even on the days when they are not firing on all cylinders. Even on the days they are feeling out of sorts and angry at the world. In fact, especially on those days. Because if you are, it shows you understand that success isn’t about working really hard for a day here and there. It shows you understand that being consistent in your efforts also means that you’re sticking to your goals. I help my clients stay focussed and accountable, as this is so important to keep the momentum going. Showing up & putting the effort in every day? - that is another good thing!
- You are willing to make changes. Running your own business is about staying hopeful & making the changes to make things happen. Got a product or service that isn’t selling? Get rid of it, or talk with your business coach about how to rework it so you fall in love with it again. Don’t try and sell stuff you don’t believe in. It’s like pushing treacle uphill.
See? You are doing better than you think if each of these points resonate with you. Success isn’t about doing what you think you should do, it’s about doing what you want to do to reach your goal to the very best of your ability. And working with a business coach like me gives you the focus, motivation & accountability to get stuff done. It also gives you your biggest cheerleader when you need one.
If you want me as your biggest cheerleader for your business, you just need to take that first step – book that free mini session with me & let’s start there.