Have you just started your entrepreneurial journey? Let me share with you some lessons learned.
I remember it like it was yesterday.
I was attending my first networking event as a new entrepreneur, and on the drive there, I almost talked myself out of going.
Public speaking wasn’t new to me. Before starting my business, I had built an award-winning 15-year career in public relations and corporate communications. I advised, wrote for, and trained managers, senior executives, and politicians on communication.
But this was different. This was me talking about me. I had no idea how challenging that was going to be.
When my turn came to introduce myself and my business, I stumbled through my intro. I felt wholly inadequate as I compared myself to other entrepreneurs in the room. I admired those who appeared confident, clear, and who knew exactly how they served. I wanted to be like them.
That day served as a touchstone moment for me. It showed me how much I needed to learn to believe in myself and I didn’t yet know-how. It provided me with the opportunity to see that entrepreneurship was a journey of becoming – a journey that’s not talked about enough, and one which new entrepreneurs would benefit from learning more about.
You don’t know what you don’t know, right? Here are three lessons that flowed out of that day that I wish all new entrepreneurs knew:
- No matter how awesome you were in your 9-5, entrepreneurship is a different beast. I don’t mean to scare you. The reality is in your 9-5 you had a specialized role. In your business especially at the beginning, you’ll wear many hats. Some you’ll master. Others you’ll need help with. You’ll learn. You’ll fail. You’ll get back up and adjust.
- You’ll come face-to-face with feelings of inadequacy. “Not enough” and “not worthy” will show up a lot. Avoid believing these stories. A large part of the entrepreneurial journey is learning to let go of self-limiting thoughts and beliefs, and continuously moving forward with purpose.
- You’re not alone. I developed relationships with entrepreneurs who were present at my first networking event. We talked about our challenges with growing confidence and learning what it meant to be an entrepreneur. We found comfort knowing we weren’t alone. There are many entrepreneur communities. Find yours and lean into them.
May these lessons serve you as they served me in the brave and fulfilling journey of entrepreneurship.
Submitted By:
Fazeena Haniff | CEO & Leadership Communication Coach | The Conscious Communicator hello@theconsciouscommunicator.ca | www.theconsciouscommunicator.ca