There are two sides of entrepreneurship. There is an external side of it and an internal side of it.
The external side is where you are going to manage your product or service, take care of your website, take care of your employees if you have some, create that email marketing campaign, take care of your advertising, publish that book, etc.
The internal side of entrepreneurship, however, will basically dictate how all the above will go and what type of results they will bring.
As a matter of fact, the internal side of the entrepreneur is like the foundation of a building. If it’s not strong enough and build on solid ground, everything can crumble to the ground at any time.
I wanted to write this post today in reflection to a client’s case. I have a client right now to whom I told to stop contacting anyone about his product right now, because it’s obvious that no matter whom he meets or what he does, things don’t go anywhere, and that’s even when they seem very promising.
I told him that the reason things don’t go anywhere is because there are serious internal issues that need to be fixed first, before he does anything else.
I’m afraid that if he doesn’t adhere to my advice, everything he’ll touch will turn into crap. I am very, very familiar with this fact, and I can recognize in a heart beat.
Why is it Important for Entrepreneurs to Work on the Inside
Have you ever watch the show “The Dog Whisperer” with Cesar Millan? (By the way there’s also a cat whisperer too. I had to mention that).
This dog whisperer goes out to consult with families who have big troubles with their dogs. From the dog’s owner point of view, they have done everything they could to fix a problematic behavior of their beloved pet, but nothing has worked.
The first amazing thing that you notice in this show is that for the most part the dogs act different almost immediately in the presence of Cesar. The reason for this, is not some miracle phenomenon, it’s that the dog can “feel” the energy that this guy is projecting.
Well, as I always love to say; we are a lot like dogs, we just can’t hear and smell as well.
What you carry inside. Whatever internal baggage you have, people will connect with that. And depending on what it is, it will be either good or bad for you.
In the case of those dogs, the reason their owners fail is that they usually carry a bunch of inadequacy, insecurity, and at times fear that the dog perceives subconsciously, and makes them act out. In that regard, we, as humans work the exact same way.
If not consciously, people can feel your insecurities, fears and doubts subconsciously, and that is why they won’t close the deal with you, wont’ read your book, or won’t buy your product or services. It’s as simple as that.
When you’ve done everything in your power to make something work such as; working hard, and contacting all the right people, so forth and so on, but success is still eluding you, it’s most likely because you are not sending the right energy out there.
As a matter of fact, you lack of success is the alarm sounding proof that something is not right internally. Experience tells us that unless the internal side is fixed, the external results won’t change. This is why many entrepreneurs, athletes, and show biz people have a coach.
What do you Need Do to Get Rid of the Problem?
Personal development goes hand in hand with entrepreneurship of any kind at any level, because personal development will help you visit and revisit every habit, every fear, and every insecurity trait you might have that’s keeping you down.
Usually the hidden problem that is keeping people from success is not as deep as one may think. At times it’s only a bad habit to change into a good one, a fear that needs to be addressed, and some self confidence issues that needs to be challenged.
What is more difficult, however, is to address such issues on your own, and that’s why some people come to the realization that they need a coach to help them on the right path.
My client whom I mentioned above wanted a specific answer right then and there. He even got mad at me for not giving it to him on a silver platter. But I told him that there was no such thing.
We’ve already dogged and found out some vital information that he can use at this point. I explained to him that personal development is a journey. It’s the journey of learning more and more about yourself to the point that you can control most situations without much struggle.
Do you play tennis? When you first start playing tennis you realize that you have absolutely no control over the ball. You can’t catch it and you certainly can’t throw it where you want either.
As time goes on and as you’re becoming a better player, though, you start catching more balls, but most of all you start feeling that you can throw the ball exactly where you want, because now you know how to play and you are totally in control.
The same as practice makes you become a better tennis player that can control the ball better and score, personal development will help you learn how to recognize vital personality traits, and deep beliefs that you had no control over.
Over time, you’ll get to know more and more about yourself, you’ll start seeing what you were missing and you’ll be better able to correct it until you’ll finally start getting way more positive results. That’s when you’ll start seeing things change around you. What you will say and do will get a different reaction. You will be on a different path. The path to success.
Here are 3 steps you can take if you are an entrepreneur and feel that success is still eluding you.
1 – Make an Assessment
Make an assessment of your situation. Where exactly are you in your business? What are you missing? What do you feel should be done? Why do you think you haven’t done yet? What do you know for sure needs to be changed…?
Making a true assessment of your situation is the key to know what you need to change or improve, and what you need to work on.
If you have troubles doing your own assessment, of course, . Unfortunately we often can’t see our own issues all too well.
2- Develop a Plan
Now that you’ve done a full assessment of where you are and what needs to be done, it’s time to develop a plan.
What direction do you want to take? What steps do you want to take to get there? What books do you want to read? Do you want to do it alone? Do you want a life coach to help you?
You can find local coaches and you can find life coaches online. By the way, in case you don’t know it yet, I’m a coach myself. A coach will also help you develop a plan.
3- Take Action
As you know, no assessment or plan will do you any good if you don’t put them into action. Even if you chose to go with a coach, you need to remember that a coach is not a magician that can flip their magic stick and make it all good and well for you instantly.
If you are physically sick, you might go see your doctor and he will give you advice, diagnosis and treatments to make you feel better and even to help you heal, but he won’t make you better instantly. So, don’t expect a coach do that for you either. But a coach will also help you with a diagnosis, advice and suggest the best “treatment” for you. The rest is up to you.
Yes, successful entrepreneurship requires more than meets the eye. It requires a solid inner foundation to put you on the path to success.
Please, leave all your questions and comments down below.
I hope you enjoyed this post, and will start applying those tips now. Please, let me know what you think and add your thoughts down below in the comments.
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Hi Syviane!
Yes, in order to build something great you need a foundation. You can’t build a house and put a roof on top if you don’t have the walls in place and the proper structural foundation.
I do believe that taking action is important. Sometimes if we do not have a plan in place, you’re better off taking the first step. Take action, get the momentum going and then go back and plan, and scale up.
I love how you said to find a coach online. Having a mentor is just as critical as planning and taking action. Sometimes if we’re doing something for the first time, we need someone to take us by the hand and show us how to do the ‘how-to’.
Great article Sylviane!
Nate Leung invites you to read..3 Quick Ways to Find More Customers For Your MLM Business
Hi Nate, and sorry for the late reply,
Yes, the building of a house is a great example of what we need to do as entrepreneur. We need to build that foundation.
However, you’re right we do not need to feel like we are “perfect” to start. We can start and figure it out as we go, as long as we fix the leaks that may appear here and there, and get stronger and more secure.
Thank you for your input, dear 🙂
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..What Is The Recipe For Success Or 3 Simple Steps To Get There
Hi Sylviane
I think to have success in life mindset and personal development are a part of it. If you listen to any of the online people who are all earning big money they will name this as the most important factor.
I know some people who have been successful in business without personal development but there is more struggle with relationships and other things that go with it.
It is like any successful sports person they do a lot of mind and belief work.
When people fix the inside they get better results is so many areas of their life not just business.
In the businesses we owned we did personal development as a team and boy we had great cultures. It works.
A great post Sylviane.
Sue
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Hi Sue,
Certainly, Sport people, athletes, do as much mental work as they do physical work because they know that no matter how much training they’ve got if the mind is not their they won’t win and be on top.
But that of course doesn’t happen only to athletes at all, it applies to all of us, it’s just that so many people don’t think that way.
I’m glad that you are a living proof that personal development in business works.
Thanks for your input, Sue 🙂
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..What Is The Recipe For Success Or 3 Simple Steps To Get There
Hi Syviane,
Couldn’t agree more 🙂
I think for anything to work, you do need to take these three steps, starting with making an assessment as you mentioned, planning things out, and then taking action. Without following these steps you might just not make it the right way.
I agree with you, you need an inner foundation to move ahead and that’s where your personal development comes into form, which again you have to build. Just as Sue mentioned above, some people tend to become successful without this quality, though I wonder how far can they really go before they realize it’s importance.
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
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Hi Harleena,
So glad you agree with this 🙂
A foundation of well being and balance is so important. Just see rich successful mess up people and you’ll understand that success alone doesn’t stand a chance if there is not foundation. That’s when personal development comes in. To make it last in a healthy way.
Thank you so much for coming and sharing your thoughts, Harleena.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..What Is The Recipe For Success Or 3 Simple Steps To Get There
BRAVO Sylviane!
This is where people always seem to get stuck: they don’t realize that we must work on our inner selves just as we work on the outer structure of business.
To me it is the most important piece of the puzzle. I like the way you used the analogy of the Dog Whisper. I’ve watched that show and when Cesar comes into the home, the dog immediately senses his command. It is amazing how he can master control. I love the way you said we are like dogs because we are! lol
People can sense when something is lacking in others, or if someone is trying to sell you something and really doesn’t believe in the product or service. We all have that sense!
If we are lacking in something, we must fix it. And…the most IMPORTANT part is that nothing can be handed to another on a silver platter like your client wanted. I have had clients like that too and had to educate them that they needed to do the work! If they don’t want to do it, I just cannot work with them.
On the other hand, if they are agreeable to get some coaching or any other kind of help, I’m right there with them. We all have our issues and to be successful we must face them head on and fix it.
I had an issue with “fear” and it was a journey to fix that. Finally through EMDR therapy, it was gone..and still is. We do need to asses ourselves and be the best we can be inside!
Great article Girl!
-Donna
Donna Merrill invites you to read..Stressless Success
Hi Donna,
As a dog lover and owner, I’m sure you love Cesar Milan. This guy is darn great with dogs. That’s his God given gift, helping dogs 🙂
We all feel those vibrations. I spent most of my life always sending the wrong vibrations, so I KNOW that we are like dogs in that way, we feel what someone project, because we are a field of energy, and energy is felt. But I’m not going to teach YOU that right?
I’m so glad you went over that fear and that it’s GONE forever!
Thank you for your kind words, Donna.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..What Is The Recipe For Success Or 3 Simple Steps To Get There
I agree with you Sylviane, we have to continue to develop personally just as much as we do developing our skills.
I haven’t done a self assessment but right off the bat I can tell you confidence is at the top of the list. I do overcome the fear but I spend so much time dwelling on it before I do. I never thought about getting a coach but the idea does intrigue me.
Thanks for sharing this post and the three-step tips. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week!
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Hi Corina,
For some reasons there were 2 identical comments of yours, I guess my blog was acting up. Sorry if it was the case.
Yes, personal development is so important for us who work online, and I’m glad I reminded you of the fact that Life Coaches are there to help you if you need them.
We so don’t see our own issues for the most part, that’s why coaches help so much. My own coach has opened my eyes so much, some things I didn’t want to see, or admit.
Thanks for coming, Corina.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..What Is The Recipe For Success Or 3 Simple Steps To Get There
I agree with you Sylviane, we have to continue to develop personally just as much as we do developing our skills.
I haven’t done a self assessment but right off the bat I can tell you confidence is at the top of the list. I do overcome the fear but I spend so much time dwelling on it before I do. I never thought about getting a coach but the idea does intrigue me.
Thanks for sharing this post and the three-step tips. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week!
Corina Ramos invites you to read..My Interview With Angela Sambrook – A La Bella Baskets Consultant
I could certainly relate to this Sylviane!
As you know, I’ve worked with a life coach in the past so I definitely agree with you 100% that they are a huge help. Oftentimes we know we aren’t where we’d hope to be and what we “think” is the issue really isn’t. It’s our thinking about the issue is what it really is but that’s where a life coach comes in handy. We don’t see it but they do.
I love the examples that you gave here like Cesar and the tennis ball. That’s what I love about the way you explain things. I just “get it”..
I also love the three steps you pointed out. That’s a great way to figure this all out or a good place to start. Me personally, I tried to do this on my own but had to break down and hire a coach and it’s so funny but she figured it out in like two minutes. Imagine that, it was right in front of my eyes and I just couldn’t see it.
Anyone who really continues to struggle I agree with Sylviane. Personal development is the key to figuring this all out but a good bit of the time it’s the real help we get from a coach explaining this to us that goes much further and quicker.
It’s like buying a book to train your dog when you don’t understand what the real issue is or watching a video of a guy playing tennis and trying to be like them when you don’t understand the moves. We all only wish it were that easy.
~Adrienne
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H Adrienne,
I’m glad that you love my illustrations, I sure love to use them, because I know that people will get it with them.
I know that it’s almost impossible to fix our biggest issues on our own. Few years ago I was told things about me by my own coach that I’ve never even realized and some didn’t want to admit for a while either 🙂
Just today, I was telling this guy, do you hear yourself? You are very negative right now! and he flat out denied it. As Jesus said, we can’t see the rafter in our own eye. That’s why we do NEED personal development.
I’m glad that you enjoyed this post and thank you for your great feedback as always.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..What Is The Recipe For Success Or 3 Simple Steps To Get There
Hi Sylviane,
I love Cesar Milan – could do with him to come and sort out my grumpy collie! As you say, we’re often unaware of the “vibes” we give out, subconsciously, which can be reflections of our own deep insecurities and fears. Increasing self-awareness through personal development and reflection is the key, I think. It’s helpful, too, to listen – really listen – to other people’s feedback, because we rarely see ourselves as others see us, and we can be blind to our own weaknesses.
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Hi Sue,
So they show Cesar Millan’s show in the UK too right? As a matter of fact, I’ve seen a show that was filmed in the UK. This guy has a gift with dogs.
Yes, it is important to listen to people’s feedback, but many people just won’t, because they are in big deny. So many people are. I think that personal development helps us to be more accepting of who we are and work on ourselves.
Thank you for coming, Sue
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..What Is The Recipe For Success Or 3 Simple Steps To Get There
Sylviane, very inspirational post and you spoke the truth. Without a plan you’re planning to fail plus Rome wasn’t built in a day, therefore it’s unrealistic for people (esp.) right after they get started! Especially if they’re not willing to stay focused, be consistent and put in the work that it that’s required.
Toshiba Burton invites you to read..Listening To Your Prospects Could Be One Of Your Most Powerful Skills
Hi Toshiba and welcome to my blog,
I’m glad if you enjoy this post and hope to see you here again.
No, Rome wasn’t built in one day, things take time and so is working on ourselves.
Thank you for coming.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..What Is The Recipe For Success Or 3 Simple Steps To Get There
A very inspirational and realistic post. For achieving our goals we indeed need to indulge in some self assessment, so as to get a realistic view of our capabilities and approaches and secondly while framing goals, we should make sure that goals are realistic and achievable. Thanks for the guidance.
You are right. I’ve worked with start-ups and entrepreneurs for more than 15 years. The ones that succeed aren’t extraordinarily talented. It’s not because they are brilliant programmers, engineers, and so on. Success hinges on the soft traits.
As you say, how one handles fear and doubt is important. I’ve worked a lot with entrepreneurs who want to be funded. It’s difficult for them to realize that investors are naysayers. Investors don’t look for reason “to” invest, they look for reason “to not” invest. After just a few negative responses, most entrepreneurs quit. Often even friends, family, and co-workers secretly don’t believe in their idea. It takes a strong personality to have confidence in the face of so much negativity. Frankly, it requires an ego. Most outsiders are from Missouri, the show-me state. Most outsiders will only believe in a new business once it has succeeded.
Once I had a conversation with several serial entrepreneurs on what makes some succeed. The overwhelming answer was not having any other choice. Most entrepreneurs quit because they know they can get a job and a job is just easier. It’s those that can’t get a job easily that will stick it out and find a way.
Hi Cynthia,
Thank you very much for coming by and leaving such a thought provoking comment.
The example of the investors really illustrates that if we don’t believe in us strongly enough, no one will. We must believe in ourselves and in our dreams, no matter what, because most people around us usually don’t.
It’s true that those who succeed the most are the ones who have no choice, but to make it work. Efforts are painful, so if the pain of going to a job is not stronger than the pain of leaving the job, we won’t.
Welcome here and thank you for your input.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..4 Essential Lessons That Will Lead You To Success
It has always been a fascinating for me to discover myself as an entrepreneur because the outer or say external factors always remained same for any entrepreneur to deal with their products or services. But what differs you from other’s business is your internal environment as an entrepreneur.
Thanks for this wonderful article.
yes!! a good plan and good strategy make everything possible. and your post is motivational for me..many thanks