The New Business Owner: Attitude and Success Part II

Entering into entrepreneurship is a daunting task. In truth, there will be many moments where you just feel like giving up. There will be many sleepless nights and long days. Similarly, there will be plenty of naysayers with an infinite number of reasons why you’ll never make it. But you’ve got what it takes to push through the negativity. You’re an entrepreneur and you’re ready to charge hell with a water pistol. My friend, attitude is everything! So, let’s take a closer look at the new business owner and how your attitude can impact your success.

Follow Along With The Financially Simple Podcast!

• Why entrepreneurship can be exhausting
• Why life doesn’t care about your success
• The best practices and tricks for ignoring the naysayers (in business and in life)
• The relationship between success and the goals you set
• What makes some business owners bitter and unhappy
• The attitude of success and its cost

Life Doesn’t Care How Successful a New Business Owner Is

Perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of being a new business owner is how often you’re going to have to prove yourself. This begins with you. You’re dealing with so much self-doubt on a daily basis that many times, you actually have to prove to yourself that you’re capable of turning your vision into a reality. But then, regardless of how many wins you’ve racked up in your time as a business owner, you have to prove yourself to the world.

It doesn’t matter how much experience you may have in your industry. Likewise, your historical victories don’t count toward your experience anymore. Why? Because you’re new to the world of business ownership. Now, I’m not saying that your previous experience and accomplishments don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. They very well could help you on the path to becoming a successful business owner. What I am saying is that none of those things matter to the outside world. Bankers, investors, vendors, team members, friends, family, and clients, will all expect you to show them “why.” They will tell you that you’re not successful enough for them to work with you.

This is where you’ve got to put blinders on. You might want to put your earbuds in and turn on some music, too. Whatever helps you to drown out the noise so you can focus on your goal. Remember your why. Why is it that you get up every morning and put on the hat of business ownership? Friends, you’ve got to hold on to that reason why. You’ve got to ignore the naysayers (even that nagging one inside your head) and push forward with your vision. Attitude equals success.

The Pendulum Swing

If you push through the noise and continue working toward your goals, you’re going to notice a shift. Eventually, many of those who claimed you weren’t worth their time will take notice of your success. But this isn’t necessarily a vindicating moment in the life of a new business owner. You see, as the outside world’s view of you and your business begins to change, you’re going to run into a lot of people with outstretched hands. They perceive your success and now they want a piece.

Many will come to you asking if they can pick your brain to learn how you did it. Others will expect you to give them what you’ve worked for, for free. At some point, you’re probably going to go into defensive mode. You might think, “Why should I give you my time, resources, or wisdom? I did the work. I’m the one enduring sleepless nights and endless days. Get off your duff and do it yourself!” If you’ve been in business ownership for a while, you’re probably saying, “Amen!” But that’s the way it goes.

First, you weren’t successful enough. Now, everybody wants a piece of the pie (hopefully, a pizza pie) that you’ve created. First, you’re attacked for not being “successful enough.” Then, you’re going to be attacked for being successful. It’s all a part of the game and, once again, you must keep the right attitude to push through.

So, What is Success?

In part I of this topic, I pointed to the difference between worldly success and that which leaves a real and lasting impact. Worldly success can leave us feeling unfulfilled. That same measure can be applied to the novice business owner. Please, don’t take offense. It doesn’t mean you’re not successful or that you don’t know what you’re doing. However, until your business can run without you, I consider you a novice.

Although this measure can be applied to business owners of all experience levels, there is another measure that the novice must consider. First, know what your goals are. Are you chasing a unicorn like Apple or Facebook, or are you content with owning a mid-sized company that allows you to work with people you love and are passionate about? Knowing exactly what your goal is can help you determine your success.

Whatever your answer, don’t lose sight of what’s truly important. Business owners who spend their entire lives chasing greater profits for the sake of profits are often the most unhappy people I know. As I said, this pursuit can leave you unfulfilled. On the other hand, growing your business with a purpose can really make your efforts fulfilling. Profitability is good and necessary but it’s people (clients, team members, friends, and family) that truly matter.

Know Where You’re Going

With that said, you’ll never truly succeed in reaching your goals if you don’t know where you’re going. Identify your goals, write them down, and become laser-focused on achieving them. There will be some difficult and uncomfortable times. That’s a given in the life of a business owner. But it’s during these times that it becomes especially important to remain focused on your end goal, and not be tossed about by the waves. But why is your end goal so important to your success?

Well, the Cheshire Cat in Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland, can offer some wisdom here. When Alice asks for directions, she says she doesn’t really care where she ends up. To this, the Cheshire Cat replies, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road can take you there.” As a business owner, you can’t be like Alice. To achieve your vision for your business, you must have a clear plan for how to achieve it. Create specific goals that will help you reach your desired destination, rather than simply “going with the flow.”

You Can Do This; Attitude is Everything

You’re going to encounter adversity. It’s part and parcel of entrepreneurship. With all the adversity business owners face, you must have an “I can do this” attitude. Believing in your vision, in yourself, is the only way you can overcome the negativity coming from all sides (even from within). But you must understand your core needs and the driving force behind your actions.

Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” This is why attitude is everything. You see, the moment you begin to believe what the naysayers say about you, you’ve failed. Success comes at a cost. To truly succeed, you have to work for it, straining through adversity. As a business owner, you’re pushing a rock uphill while people are throwing things at you. If you have an attitude of defeat, that boulder’s going to roll over you on its way to the bottom. 

There’s a reason that 70% of small businesses fail by their tenth year. Although you could point to many causes, attitude is at the heart of them all. At some point, for some reason, the business owner’s attitude changed from, “I can do this,” to “It’s not worth it.” I’m not going to fault anyone who’s been in this position. Failure is a part of success. But you must have the attitude that you’re going to get back up every time you get knocked down. You must be willing to sacrifice everything but your core values. 

Wrapping Up…

Friends, whether you’ve been a business owner for decades or one week, your attitude is one of the biggest determiners of success. Will you throw in the towel at the first sign of trouble or will you ignore the noise and press on? Stay motivated and inspired. If you have to, put on Eye of the Tiger and pump yourself up each day. Whatever gets you motivated, make it a habit and keep that “can do” attitude.

I know life is hard. But life is good. Being a business owner can be frustrating but keeping the right attitude can help you succeed. When everything else is complicated, let’s try to at least live financially simple lives. Hey, let’s go out and make it a great day!

Interested in getting your business where it can run without you? Our team could help you create a path to reach your goal. Contact us to learn more.