Lately, I’ve spoken with many people who have recently started their own business or who are contemplating going out on their own.  This seems to be a part of the “Great Resignation” we are seeing in the aftermath of the Covid lockdown.

As the seasons change and we pull out our heavier sweaters and warm socks, I’m reflecting on what it was like for me when I first started my business, and some useful advice I received in the beginning.

Take Time to Reflect as the Seasons Change
One newer business owner told me that she sometimes wonders if she should give it up and start looking for a job. The security, the stability, and the routine are great perks that come with working for someone else.  And, self-employment is not for the faint of heart.

I told her that there are still times when I think about getting a job. She was surprised, but it’s true: I have contemplated sending out my resume over the last six years I’ve been self-employed.

Even as the words came out of my mouth, I noticed that I feel very different now than I did even 18 months ago. In the past, I thought, “Well, if this business venture of mine doesn’t work out, I’ll go get a ‘real job’ (note to self:  Entrepreneurship IS a real job!).” I held onto that belief even though the idea of getting a “real job” made my stomach turn.

Earlier in 2021 I thought, “If my business can survive COVID, it will survive anything.” Now I think, “My business thrived during COVID and continues to do so… what’s possible now?”

This change in perspective only comes through staying the course over a sustained period of time, and choosing a field that you love and wholeheartedly believe in.

My Favorite Business Advice
Some of the best advice I got when I was preparing to launch my business is still useful in today’s landscape. Here are some of my favorite tips:

• Do what you know… and figure it out as you go. There will be a lot of on-the-job training, so dive in.
• Identify 15 people who would hire or refer you. Reach out to them and let them know what you’re up to; you never know where it may lead.
• Hire an awesome business coach. Even if you’ve started and run businesses before, having an external, unattached eye on your work is incredibly valuable. They can support you in managing your mindset, navigating your path and finding clarity, and for accountability.
• Have 6 months of income in an emergency account. This is critical for peace of mind.
• “Do what you have to do, until you can do what you want to do.” (author unknown).  Do the work initially that pays the bills.  Over time, you can say no to the work that doesn’t fulfill you and yes to the work that does.
• Trust the process. This one is hard.  The trust and the confidence to continue only comes from doing the work every day and seeing your results.
• Just start doing it. What are you waiting for? Turns out this simple piece of advice was the most critical for me.  I could have sat on the sidelines of my life forever and wondered, “what if?”
• A plane doesn’t go from 0’ to 30,000’ in 10 seconds. The runway is there for a reason, and you get to decide how long your runway is.
  • This relates directly to a valuable piece of advice I recently heard on the “Hello Monday” podcast (9/12/21 episode) from coach Dorie Clark: “Risk is a set of incremental decisions. You don’t have to do it all at once.  You can make a series of very small decisions along the way.  Risk equals uncertainty on the way to a goal.”

If you have a business idea within you that’s bursting to come out (or contemplating any type of a change), here are some reflective questions to help give your inspiration a little momentum.

1. What do you need to live your most fulfilling and joyful life, right now?
2. What does the change of season bring up for you?
3. Where do you need to muster up the courage to ask for what you need/want (instead of resenting not having it)?
4. What do you need to let go of to create more space for something new to come into your life?
5. What have you been putting off that is an energy drain? It will take less energy to make the change than to continue avoiding it.
6. What outcome are you holding too tightly? Where can you loosen your grip to experience more freedom?

Know that it can feel uncomfortable at first, like all change. When you give yourself some space to breathe and reflect, you make room for a new perspective.

If you’d like support as you lean into your new business or career endeavor, let’s talk. Click here to get started.