This guest post is from one of our fabulous speakers at SUCCESS Summit, September 28/29 in Los Angeles, CA. Get the details at www.successsummitandexpo.com.
Whether you work for yourself or someone else, empowerment means taking ownership of your career. Empowerment means giving yourself permission to fulfill your dreams. Ownership starts with a decision—a decision to take full responsibility for your journey, to stop accepting the status quo and to live out your destiny.
In my career as The Networking CEO, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many successful, empowered entrepreneurs. I’d like to share with you today five things they all have in common.
1. Make your dream a priority.
Many times as women, we fall into a trap of not pursuing our dreams because it seems selfish to focus on something that may be perceived as “just for us.” I challenge you to take a step back and take a look at the big picture.
Define your why. You may have heard the saying, “If your why doesn’t make you cry, it’s not big enough.” For some, your why may be creating a career with flexible hours so you can be a caregiver to your children or to elderly parents.
What is your purpose? Maybe you have a purpose greater than yourself. For example, a percentage of your profits will go to a charity you’re passionate about. Or your earnings will afford you to choose the best possible care for your special needs child instead of shopping on price. Your purpose is found at the intersection of your passions, your proficiencies, and your preferences.
Set personal and financial goals. Remember, hope is not a strategy. Goals are dreams with deadlines. Get specific. Then create a plan and timeline to reach your goals. Think about what’s coming and prepare for it.
2. Don’t stand in your own way.
Take an honest inventory of any self-defeating behaviors and learn new skills to eliminate them. Here’s what a few of them look like:
Procrastination
Self-doubt
Over-committing
Perfectionism
3. Build your own “hit the wall” toolkit.
There are times in every career where you hit a wall. This is where people often give up. Don’t wait until that happens to gather resources. Line up a dream team before you need it. Entrepreneurs often ask me how they’ll know when it’s time to start outsourcing. Start with things you don’t like to do or aren’t good at doing.
I hear from many new business owners, “I never needed to network before in my career as xyz, but now that I have my own business I’ve had to begin networking. I never knew what I was missing!” If networking is a new concept to you, here’s how I define it: every place you are is an opportunity to network. Of course I network in the traditional ways—networking luncheons and mixers—but I’ve also networked in line at airport security.
We have all heard at one time or another that networking is the key to landing our next job or new client. But what exactly does networking mean to you? Does it mean making connections on LinkedIn or Facebook and Twitter? Or does it mean morning coffee or evening drinks with the perfect contact? Perhaps it is the exchange of business cards at a conference or expo. The answer includes all of the above.
As you’re out networking, you’ll meet the attorney you’ll need to help you with a future contract, a tax expert to keep you out of trouble with the IRS, the bookkeeper who will help you understand P&L, the caterer for your Grand Opening celebration—you get the picture. Before you know it, your rolodex will be full of all the resources you’ll ever need to complete any project (or at least full of sources for referrals to anything you’ll need).
This is just one of the many benefits you’ll experience while networking. If you want to delve a little deeper, I’ve written a chapter in my book Make Your Connections Count on the ROI of networking vs. ROR (return on relationships).
4. Seek out ways to keep yourself motivated, fresh, learning and don’t forget wellness!
I love travel, reading, shopping for shoes, getting massages, spending time with my husband, children and grandchildren. I enjoy going to seminars, masterminds and conferences. Remember to schedule time in your busy schedule to recharge. Do things that feed your spirit—maybe that means spending time in church or by the ocean; enjoying quality time with your soul-mate, your dog or by yourself gardening or reading a book.
5. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
It’s easy to get burned out when you’re pouring your all into fulfilling your business dreams. The journey is the reward. Stop and smell the roses! As an international speaker, I get to exercise my passion for travel. I try to always schedule in some time to explore. I’m constantly meeting interesting new people. Be kind to yourself. Remember, this is YOUR dream you’re fulfilling, so build it the way YOU want it. If I’m not having fun in my business, I don’t do it!
Your future is bright and best of all, it’s in your hands. Make the most of it!
Guest Writer -Patty Farmer, The Networking CEO™, is an international speaker, business growth strategist, marketing professional, radio show host and co-author of two highly acclaimed books: Make Your Connections Count and Success in High Heels. www.pattyfarmer.com
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