Lies I was told about running a business.
I asked everyone who would listen for business advice. Here's why that was detrimental to my success.
I thought I needed to be a sponge for all the business lessons (even from people who didn't own businesses 🤦♀️)
There's so many things we "should" or "must" do when it comes to our business. This advice can be well meaning, but it just adds unnecessary pressure and stress onto us, when all we want to do is run our own race. It makes you think that what you're doing isn't right, because it isn't by the status quo.
Instead of telling you all the things that you should be doing in your business, I'm going to share a few unrealistic expectations that have been put on me and TGS over the years and why we're no longer telling ourselves those stories, and why neither should you.
Business isn't always fun. I caught up with an old friend/fellow business owner and we were getting down to the nitty gritty of what being a business owner really looks like and it's unglamorous, isolating and can be really difficult to navigate. However it looks for you, is okay, as long as its working for you!
Your business probs won't be successful overnight. What you see from everyone is (for the most part) a highlight reel where they control the outcome. They control what you see, and more importantly, don't see. It might look like your fave biz has it all together and reached new milestones in record time, but behind that success, is trial and error, late nights, failures and wins, support systems and a dedicated, hardworking and trusting business owner.
Growth is not linear. I had these false pretences that my business would keep growing at the same pace, with the same vigour, with the same force lol that rapid growth led to rapid burnout, poor processes and rushed decisions. Growth ebbs and flows and each level comes with its own challenges and learning opportunities. Just take it all as it comes and be in a state of constant evolution.
Just run your own race. Just do you because that's all you can do. And that is enough.