Guest blog post from Lisa Walsh- The Market Mill
I held a workshop a few weekends ago with the basic premise that having a great idea or discovering a talent that people (other than eager family members) are willing to pay for is not all creative merriment and self-indulgent fun! It is hard work, often, long hours, routine procedures and more paperwork than frolicking.
Back tracking, and I apologise to those who attended – I forgot to mention the most crucial skill of all for anyone going it alone and yearning for a triumphant success.
“The sheer will and determination to keep getting up day after day and believing in yourself. Trusting that what you are doing will make it big time.”
It is an aptitude that many of us overlook until we find ourselves deep in the despair of the umpteenth rejection and wonder why we put ourselves through it. Especially when we know our skills would be highly paid and well sort after in the “real world” of working for someone else.
I think the quote
“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.” William Feather
sums it up pretty well.
To have a successful business you need to do your homework, love what you do, methodically keep on top of the basic business fundamentals and well….. keep getting up when you fall down. The inability to do the last one means that no matter how talented you are and how meticulous you run your business no amount of either of these can make up for the guts it needs to KEEP ON GOING. Easy to say in theory but we all know those knocks can flatten us, some days easier than others.
Here are 5 Things I find helpful when the fog descends and the self-doubt starts to creep in:
1. Confiding in someone – A true friend, one that believes absolutely in your dreams and your abilities, sometimes even more than you, and would gladly give their first born (okay maybe dog….alright guinea pig) to see your dreams realised. Often a chat with this someone special can dispel your doubts and have you on the way to creating again in a heartbeat.
2. Exercise- I put this as number 2 as I really do believe exercise is often the answer. For that moment in time you forget your worries, discover answers for your problems and feel exuberant all at the same time. And it is hard to ignore the experts whose studies reveal the hormones released during exercise suppress anxiety and negative thoughts and release feel good endorphins. Not to mention a boost in energy that has you rocketing through the day.
3. Podcasts- I quite often link this with tip number 2 and the thought of exercising and listening to some great conversations I wouldn’t normally get to do in a busy day, is such a bonus. There is a plethora of great podcasts out there that include everything from marketing and branding to how best to get the most out of every day, motivation, habit forming and eating well to keep you fit and healthy.
4. Meditation – finding 20 quiet minutes a day to reflect on all the things we are grateful for in this world is something we often don’t think we have time for. Somehow our problems don’t seem so large when we are thankful for what we have.
5. Continuing to learn – sometimes the lesson we are yet to learn from the harshness of reality – is perhaps we are just not ready for that step. A rejection may not mean a definite no – it may simply be telling us that we are not quite ready for that! The perfect solution is to learn what is required to BE ready.
In working in a business alone, trying to do everything to the best of our ability can be tiring to say the least. The important thing is to believe in yourself, ask for help when you need it and continue getting up when you fall down – because chances are it won’t be the last time.
Guest Blog by Lisa Walsh from The Market Mill
Lisa Walsh, business style consultant and author of the blogs The Market Mill and Cream Butter & Sugar, offers tips, advice & words of encouragement to help like-minded people market their creativity.
With 15 years experience as an international department store buyer specializing in branded concepts, a marketing graduate and owner of small business, Lisa shares her experience, knowledge and frustrations in building a business into a recognizable brand.
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great post Lisa! Do you have any suggestions for ‘good running a one man business’ podcasts?
A lot of what you talk about there makes me realise some of the errors I’ve made over the years and why I’ve just plodded along, but not really made any money. I’ve known some of those things all along, but tried to pretend that they didn’t matter!!
Points 2 & 3 are the ones I really fail. I’m good at point 5 but I’ve not targeted what I’ve learnt very well… ie not learning the business side of things, but learning new craft techniques which send me off in another creative direction all the time. I’m determined to stick with my current direction and make it work as a ‘proper’ business.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you Annie,
I agree – it is hard trying to fit anything else in – as running a business can be all consuming. Just being aware of the things that can be worked on is often the step needed to go forward but to your last point- giving things a go is crucial.
The podcasts I am into at the moment are
1.PreneurCast – Great casual conversations spoken by an Aussie Pete Williams (an entrepreneur and millionaire by the time he was mid twenty) and his English Media Consultant. It is not very structured but a helpful insight into a successful entrepreneur’s world with heaps of great references for further listening/reading.
I like that it is an Aussie speaking. It does talk a bit about the online world but I do like the fact that the whole premise of the podcast is based around getting things done, “shipping” and achieving. A healthy message whatever your industry. I also like his reference to sport “he is training for an ironman” and with my competitive upbringing – it really gelled with me. see” themarketmill.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/sink-or-swim-why-athletes-are-the-best-business-models/
2. Life habits: An American Karel Vrendenburg. More mentoring and covers a wide range of topics such as time management, staying positive, interpersonal communications ect. His voice gets a little annoying so I can only listen to a few at a time.
3. The daily boost – is another American and super cheesy – but his premise is to kick start your day with a 10 minute boost. I can put up with it for that long.
In a lot of these there can be 40- 60 episodes or more so I am yet to get to others on my list.
Others that sound good
My thought coach
Social media for small business – another Aussie one
Business success tips
All the best – and I love what you do.
Lisa
Lisa! Thanks for sharing such a motivating post. Feather’s quote does sums up how I feel about success and achievement. It’s all about perseverance!!
Point 4 is something I’ve been trying lately…though I wouldn’t call it a real meditation but when I start feeling a little stressed, flustered and panicky about my business…I walk away from the room, sit down and close my eyes and picture myself removed from the situation. I tell myself the problem is only hard because I’m making it hard for myself! And I have to remind myself that it’s ok if I can’t do everything all at once!
Thanks again for the post, it was a great little nudge/reminder:)