It’s one of the most important decisions you will make as an entrepreneur. This decision will literally determine whether or not you will succeed in building your business. If you fail to choose wisely, you will make it almost impossible for you to succeed. So what is it?
Choosing the right people to have in your life.
Seems obvious, doesn’t it? I mean, everyone knows that it’s important to have good people around you right? Well, yes it is, but notice that I didn’t say “choosing good people to have in your life.” I said “choosing the right people to have in your life.”
Starting your own business can be a scary, risky, stressful and ultimately rewarding undertaking. Because of this, it’s important to make sure you have people in your corner that will help you move forward, even when you don’t want to.
Here are the 3 people you should have in your life:
The Cheerleader
Ah yes, the cheerleaders! These are the people who are there to make sure that you succeed. They are always there to give the encouraging words and motivation that you need.
They can be friends, family, or even acquaintances. In many cases, they may be entrepreneurs themselves. If they are also entrepreneurs, that makes it even better. If both of you are in the same place when it comes to getting your business started, you can feed off of one another. They will be there to encourage you through the emotional roller coaster all of us go through.
While cheerleaders are great, there is one caveat: you don’t need “Yes Men.” While pushing you to succeed, these people should also be able to let you know when they think you’re making a mistake. There’s a difference between giving constructive criticism and just being plain negative.
If you don’t have cheerleaders in your life, try to find a way to meet other entrepreneurs. There are probably meetup groups for entrepreneurs in your area that you could start participating in.
The Realist
The realist is the person who is there to keep you grounded. It’s the person you will have in your life to keep you in check. Now, this doesn’t mean that this person is there to be negative and to kill your dream. It means they are there to make you better, sharper, smarter, and eventually, more successful.
The realist will tell you when you’re going down the wrong path, but they will also give you suggestions to help you get back on the right path. They may have some experience in the world of business, so they may have a better understanding of how to do the things you’re trying to do.
If you have a realist in your life, pay close attention to their advice, even when you don’t agree with it. Even if the advice doesn’t hit the mark 100%, there will probably still be at least a kernel of truth that you can benefit from.
The Mentor/Role Model
Last, but certainly not least is the mentor/role model. You need to find people who are already where you want to be. You need to find people who have already traveled the journey you are travelling.
If you can find people such as this, and they are willing to help you, count your blessings! These are the people who can make you better at what you do. They can help you make wise decisions and avoid unnecessary mistakes. If you have someone like this in your life, you should go to them whenever you need to make a big decision about your business.
Finding good mentors is not always easy, but it can be done. It might be a good idea to start with your local SCORE office. SCORE is an organization that helps entrepreneurs start and maintain their small businesses. They provide mentors who donate their time in order to give the benefit of their expertise to those that are starting their entrepreneurial journey. It’s a great place to get started.
In the end, it is critical that you make sure you are surrounded with people who believe in you and your vision. If you don’t, you may find yourself listening to the naysayers who are only there to tell you why you won’t succeed. While they may mean well, these people will become a huge obstacle. They’re not going to push you when you feel like giving up. They won’t try to motivate you when you’re feeling discouraged.
Don’t do this to yourself. Make sure you have positive, encouraging, and uplifting people around you as much as possible. They are the ones you should be sharing your entrepreneurial dreams with. They want you to succeed almost as much as you do. Surround yourself with the right people. It’s absolutely crucial to your success.
Keep Moving Forward
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