So you tell yourself that you want to start your own heart-centered business to have freedom and be able to work from anywhere, follow your own schedule and rules, live in your PJs and run errands when the rest of the world is working. I get it! Who doesn’t want that kind of freedom?
But the reality is, that if you are thinking about leaving your job to start a business, you better think about it twice because, believe me, there are a few things that you need to take care of first, and one of them, which has a very heavy weight on your success, is your mindset.
Most of us, have been trained to go to school so we can get a good job and savor security. When you start thinking about starting a business and doing work that makes you feel more alive, you can taste the freedom that will naturally come with entrepreneurship, but the truth is that if you want freedom, you need to let go of security.
In order for us to become entrepreneurs, the first shift that needs to happen is a desire for more freedom than security. A transition from working for a paycheck to working as a purpose-driven entrepreneur is more than just changing jobs, it entails a true transformation – a new way of being, because there is a lot you have to unlearn and you need to rewire your brain.
I can tell you, from my own experience, that when you don’t shift your mindset and go through that transformative process of unlearning, the journey of entrepreneurship is an emotionally painful one. Here are the 7 most common mistakes people make when transitioning from employee to purpose-driven entrepreneur:
1. Quitting their jobs and not having clarity of what kind of business they want to build – Some people adventure in quitting the security they have because they’re really burnt out, and even though the longing for more freedom is understandable, they haven’t gotten clear on why they want to start a business, who they want to serve, how they want to serve and the difference they will make.
2. Quitting their jobs before they are sure that they really want to make the transition and are aware of the transformation that is required – Starting a business is a choice, and before you decide to leave your job, you should be well aware of what starting a business entails. For example: having a mindset of freedom instead of security, the ability to operate without a steady check, paid vacation time, the courage to step up and believe in yourself and your mission, despite of what your loved ones tell you, not letting fear run the show (which leads many times to perfectionism and analysis-paralysis), etc.
3. Not having a well-defined strategy – when you are an employee you have a boss that tells you what needs to get done and your schedule is already determined for you, so that keeps you on track. But when you are an entrepreneur, you are on your own, nobody tells you what to do or what to focus on. If you don’t know what to focus on, you’ll find yourself scattered and getting distracted by many things that are not key to bring in income, including social media. Also, having a clear strategy will help you think about the big picture, because all you do today can have an impact on your big picture…Do you know what your big picture is at all?
4. Not learning about the business of doing business – to fulfill your mission, you need to master the business of business, since you’re already an expert in your field! When you’re an entrepreneur you have to find people to buy the great things you have to offer. Marketing should be your #1 priority so your ideal clients can find you.
5. Not looking professional – PJs are great and comfy but psychologically, dressing professionally (and I’m not saying that you have to dress up like if you’re making a presentation to a group) makes you feel more in alignment with the part you play as an expert. The way you treat yourself can have a direct impact on the results you get in your business.
6. Not developing meaningful relationships – In business, all is based on relationships. Take time to build meaningful relationships to grow your network and your client base.
7. Not investing in yourself – When you are an employee, your company will invest in trainings for your growth. But when you’re an entrepreneur, you have to shift your mindset and see yourself as the “company”, therefore, you’re its biggest asset and you need to invest in yourself. Whether it’s personal growth, marketing training or even having a Mentor, you need to invest in your business or else, it will slowly die.
One key practice that you need to incorporate in your life as an entrepreneur (if you don’t practice it already) is Gratitude. Keep in mind that nothing happens by yourself in business. Along the way, you’ll find a lot of people in your path that will play a big role by giving you advise, helping you through challenging times, and even referring people to you. Be grateful and show them your gratitude!
Starting a business is very exciting and rewarding, both, personally and professionally! Will you be anxious sometimes? Will you be challenged? Will it bring growth and expansion? Absolutely! But you need to be willing to go through the transformation that is required to shift your mindset, and work on the limiting beliefs that you’ve been carrying with you for decades, including your money mindset. Remember, with freedom comes responsibility, that way you can start making money doing what you love!
