So the first quarter of the year is almost over – are you where you planned to be? Though I have been working what seems like non-stop this year, I have found that with any new venture (I’m trying a LOT of new things these days) there are roadblocks not planned for and a lot of new risk that can make me really uncomfortable and throw up MORE road blocks… so my plans for the first quarter are a bit behind. So it goes.
The other week one of my “second timer” mastermind group members (menaning she got so much out of it the first time around she (and several others!) decided to do it again!) sent me an article that she recently read that reminded her of me. (Oh! and a NEW mastermind group starts right around the corner in June! I haven’t updated ALL the new (like an online member site) info yet but you should start planning now on joining – it is SO worth it! Click here to learn more!)
The tips she sent are too good to not share! So thank you Deb Landy!
The following tips are adapted from the February 2009 Issue of Entrepreneur magazine.
- Take a Chance. I am doing a LOT of that this year – shaking things up, seeing what might happen. The riskiest decision you make might bring you the biggest reward. What can YOU shake up?
- There’s no Crystal Ball. But you don’t have to stay “safe” and take baby steps either. Take big leaps to learn about yourself and what you can do.
- Once You Make a Decision – Move Forward! You all know how much I love this one – it’s ALL about making a decision. So make it – and move on!
- What’s the WORST that can happen? I use this one a lot to free myself up when I am being a scaredy-cat!
- Keep Moving Out of your Comfort Zone. This is a tough one for me – I LIKE comfort. My design business is around developing Comfort! But you gotta stretch to grow!
- Don’t Stress About Coming Up with the Big Idea. Big ideas don’t necessarily come easy… and isn’t the small ideas that sometimes really make the big difference?
So what are you doing to take some risk in your business? Would love for you to hit reply and let us all know!
Have a great week,
-Mary
3 Responses
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This is so true. Anything that takes us out of our comfort zone causes stress, so we pull back. Our bodies and minds naturally want balance and when we stretch ourselves, we disrupt that balance. So, we have to do it anyway with the knowledge that the hardest part is getting started….so just do it!!
Amy Meinecke
The Elegant Window
http://www.elegant-window.com
My montra is “What is the worst thing that can happen” If by doing something that I’m uncomfortable with, I don’t become homeless, I don’t harm anyone and I don’t harm myself, I give it a try. The more we keep on trying the more success we will have. There is no success with risks.
Take one small step today. Contact three of your old clients. What is the worst that can happen? They don’t take your call or respond back, you’re not homeless, not dead and not in prison.
Great post, Mary! And thanks to Deb Landy, too! I agree with Amy & Gail –I think anyone who is in their own business has to take risks and continue to move outside their comfort zone in order to keep growing, develop new skills, get new customers, stay on top of all the new technology that’s being introduced, and thrive (as opposed to “survive”), especially these days.
I have a couple of inspirational quotes that I turn to each day to remind me to try something new & different. One is “Every day is a new discovery” and the other is “Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”
One thing I do each day is to complete at least 3 marketing tasks. Whether it is contact a former client, a business associate, comment on a blog, make a cold call (now that gives me chills! no pun intended!), offer to speak at a meeting, go to some type of networking event, try something new with my website, send out a newsletter — as long as I “just do it!” And once I make a decision to do something, I write it down! It’s easier for me to get things accomplished if I write down my goals and visualize the end result.
It’s hard to step outside your comfort zone – but once you do, then it does get easier the next time!
Ceil Petrucelli
Ceil Petrucelli Interiors
http://www.ceilpetrucelliinteriors.com
http://www.thehousetherapist-vt.com