Have you ever experienced feelings of discouragement in your entrepreneurial journey? If you have worked as an entrepreneur for even a day, chances are you have. If you’ve ever felt disheartened as an entrepreneur, remember that you are not alone. Fortunately, we are here to provide guidance. Keep reading for my top three tips to help you find your focus.
1. You are most powerfully positioned to serve the person you once were.
If there is a shortcut to transform your personal brand into a scalable business, it is this: You are most powerfully positioned to serve the person you once were.
Ask yourself:
- What problem have I solved?
- What challenge have I overcome?
- What path have I walked down?
The individual most likely to purchase your products or services is the person you used to be. Having been in their position, you understand their challenges and are capable of articulating and resolving them.
This is the top accelerator when constructing a personal brand or business. Who were you in the past, and how can you serve that person from your current position?
2. Diluted focus yields diluted results.
Adhering to the advice of finding multiple streams of income is not beneficial for aspiring entrepreneurs. Why? Diluted focus leads to diluted results. Power originates from focus; sufficiently streamlined water can cut through glass. You only need one stream of income, but you must direct all your focus toward it and dominate it.
Assess your current business model. Where are you naturally experiencing momentum? What is the quickest path to immediate cash flow? Most successful entrepreneurs attained prosperity by identifying one profitable stream of income and then diversifying as their business expanded. Beware of the deceptive allure of multiple revenue streams. Choose a single avenue and focus all your efforts on making it profitable. Remember: focus equals power.
3. Grant yourself the grace of patience.
When entrepreneurs feel demotivated, it typically stems from one of two reasons. The first being that they haven’t persisted long enough. Entrepreneurship is a protracted and challenging endeavor. I often mention that I may be young in age, but I possess significant stage experience. I commenced public speaking at 17 years old, meaning I have been in this industry for over 20 years—and there is still much I aspire to achieve. Allow yourself the patience required; time is irreplaceable.
The second reason is that they are not exposing themselves to enough new individuals. Engage in as many platforms as possible (online and offline) and engage with new audiences at no cost. This may involve collaborating with someone you admire on Instagram, or participating in Clubhouse. Business growth is hindered if you are solely communicating with the same 500 followers on Instagram. It’s similar to pitching your services repeatedly to family members in your living room. Step out of your comfort zone and interact with a broader audience.
Finally, if feelings of discouragement arise, here’s a little secret—I experience discouragement frequently. It’s a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. Overcoming it involves using it as a compass. What isn’t working? Where are you gaining traction? Follow the hints that emerge, regardless of their magnitude. These hints might lead you to unexpected place.
