Succeed in Learning from Your Mistakes
10 Mistakes I Learned that Slowed Down my Progress10 Mistakes I Learned that Slowed Down my Progress
1. I became “psychologically unemployable” too soon
While the idea of being your own boss and making my own pay check is appealing, I jumped the gun a little and quit a stable job at the first sign of success without having a hefty savings to back me up. I didn’t realize the peaks and valleys in sales and business and thought I had arrived when I had just barely left the gate.
2. I didn’t treat my business like a multi-million dollar business
In the beginning when I had success, I found myself trying to live the high life before I had earned it. If you want to fire your boss, YOU have to be the worst, most strict boss you’ve ever had in your life. Create a schedule and good habits early in the game and be very disciplined with those habits.
3. I SUCKED at managing my finances- Liz Wright
Once I got it into my head that I was going to rich and pay for everything in cash, credit didn’t matter anymore. While the cash system is great and keeps you from getting further into debt, it’s nice to have the option to swipe a card in the event of an emergency (not to mention it is more challenging to do things like rent cars and book hotel rooms without one- and calls from creditors can get pretty annoying!) Imagine the business loans and real estate deals you can do not only with cash, but also with stellar credit!)
4. I was too focused and attached to the money- Liz Wright
A dog knows when you’re scared of it, and it will attack based on this fear it senses. On the same token, a person knows when they are a paycheck, and will NOT buy if you just have dollar signs in your eyes. Keep the focus on what their needs are and try to help them fulfill that need (regardless of whether you profit from it monetarily.) Also, the more you NEED the money, the more you repel it.
5. I let other peoples opinions influence my own beliefs
I had many close family and friends (especially in the middle of my journey) who I know were only trying to protect me, but didn’t understand the process I was going through and the lessons I had to learn during that time. Success is NOT instantaneous and there ARE going to be difficult moments along the way. Surround yourself with people who can see your vision and support you in the process (especially when you are in your most fragile beginning stages.) As one of my mentors used to say “Don’t let anyone take your bounce.”
6. I didn’t have a clear vision or purpose
I was constantly told from the beginning that you have to know your why, but it took me a while to really dig deep down to figure out what I was passionate about, and what was really important to me. You’re why has to be much deeper then “financial freedom” or “to be able to travel.” What will those things do for you? You’re why is your driving force that’s going to push you through the tough times, and the more you can make it altruistic, versus egotistic, the more passion you are going to feel behind it.
7. I didn’t start with a business or marketing plan
If you don’t know where you’re going, no road will ever take you there. This goes right along with having a clear vision and purpose, but is the actual plan to make that happen. Think of an architect. Before ever breaking ground on a project, there is a detailed blueprint, laying a solid foundation first before the first piece of wood is ever laid down. Do you know how to attract the right customers once that business plan is in place? Do you have a budget to support that plan?
8. I kept starting and stopping
How does a train gain momentum? Well you have to keep the wheels rolling of course. Every time you stop, you lose that momentum, and the longer periods you stop, the harder you have to work to get it going again. Of course it’s okay to rest, but the more consistency you can keep, (rather then completely coming to a halt) the easier it will be to gain speed and the faster you will get to your destination.
9. I wasn’t focused on serving others
This isn’t about saving the humanities, but if you are not serving in some capacity (whether that’s helping your company, volunteering at church, or even helping family members) you probably aren’t going to get the results you want at the rate you want them. The law of reciprocity says that you have to give before you can get. Serving also makes you feel great and is a much higher energy frequency to operate your business from.
10. I wanted instant results and didn’t enjoy the process
I hate to quote teen idols, but Miley Cyress has a great song in her “Hanna Montana Movie” called “The Climb” and I think it sends a great message that no matter we are at in life and in our own entrepreneurial journey, be grateful for the lessons and cherish the moments along the way. I found myself often feeling frustrated that I hadn’t “arrived” it and doing that did not let me soak in all of the smaller successes I had already had a long the way. Be grateful for every rejection, every setback, and remember that everyone has there own unique gestation period.
Some things I did right:
I NEVER gave up! I stayed with it, when many times it would have been much easier and comfortable to retreat to safety.
I found mentors and roles models and became a tenacious student like I am coaching others in my LIz Wright education courses.
I constantly kept, and keep learning both new business skills as well as personal development.
Liz Wright
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