Secret 5: Yes, You Can

“Yes, you can!” is a phrase that every single business owner and entrepreneur needs to hear regularly. If you can’t find someone willing to tell you this, then call me and add me to your network. I’ll tell you what you need to hear.

Managing a business seems daunting, managing staff is overwhelming, finding time for strategy is next to impossible. So, yes, all of the frustrating feelings and struggles you’re having are completely in line with business ownership. Many days you probably feel that there must have been a course you missed on good ownership and management. But don’t worry, you are on track and you CAN do it.

You may be looking around at other businesses in your area, your city, your circle of friends and thinking, “Everyone else is running such a great company, but I’m struggling every day.” Want to know the truth? Every one of them is thinking the same thing about you.

This presumption typically applies to larger companies. A person might think, “Well, her company is so large, she must have it all under control.” Nope! The size of a company is absolutely no indication of smooth operation. Often, the larger the business the more chaos that comes with it. Sometimes that size can just mask inefficiency and disorganization better. It is like a duck swimming along everything looks smooth above the water, but under the surface there’s a whole lot of strenuous paddling going on. A larger duck has to move more weight.

Every business needs to be striving all the time to improve. In order to ensure success, you also need to grow as a person. You need to be learning all the time: reading books, subscribing to industry magazines, listening to podcasts, interviewing suppliers and customers, getting a mentor, following online resources. It all makes you better. Your business only improves at the level you do.

If you strive to be your best self and you are open to allowing the company to develop, you can do it! Successful business people are all sorts of people from all walks of life. Some are brilliant, some aren’t. Some are tall, some are short. Some are more left brain oriented and some more right brain. Don’t worry about what a “successful owner” looks like, just strive to be your best self.

“Yes, you can!”

You need to hear these words from your spouse and from your business friends regularly. Every entrepreneur needs voices of encouragement. It’s so important because you probably don’t believe it yourself. A little voice inside your head is constantly battling this message with phrases and ideas to undermine you. That’s why external voices of support are so critical.

My good friend Dominic, a great entrepreneur himself, is always there to reassure me and encourage me with these three words, no matter what day or time I call. Find people who will support you in your goals. If need be, hire someone to tell you, “Yes, you can!”

Over time I found that this message started to come from inside. That negative voice inside my head gradually became more positive and supportive. I began to carry it with more certainty, belief, and commitment. Once this gets into your subconscious, it helps direct your success, and brings you the results you desire. You become unstoppable.
“Yes, you can!”