7 steps to build the life and business you want

More and more people are deciding to work on their own, making a living with the skills and knowledge they have acquired over a period of time. While the idea of doing your own thing, following your own path is great; in practice it often turns out to be frustrating and a not too successful road to travel.

How come? Well, going from my own observations, the main stumbling blocks often seem to be a limited vision, an insufficient support team and little real knowledge of how to actually build a business. The result is that many talented, wonderful people after a couple of years of struggling on their own either return to find a job elsewhere or work twice as hard as before for less income.

Now if any of the above sounds familiar to you and you would like some ideas of how to invite more joy and success into your business and life then stop whatever your are doing right now and contemplate the following 7 steps:

1. Take time and start thinking of what your vision is for your life, what would your dream life look like? Make notes, be bold as if time and money would not matter, think BIG
2. Then create a vision for your work, your business which would support your overall vision for life. Write it in the present tense like it is happening now, as if you have achieved it already.
3. Consider how much capital or income you would need to support yourself at the start of your business. Would you need to keep a job on the side? Be honest and realistic. Most new businesses take a couple of years to be self-supportive.
4. Invest into working with a coach or mentor. Working with a coach or mentor can help you in many different ways and can be the key element to your success. To have someone by our side to support you in each step and help you find and achieve what you really want is a most valuable asset. There are many wonderful coaches out there and the key is to find the one that most appeals to you. How? Check out the websites and articles. Follow your intuition, your heart. Who’s message do you connect with most? This is the one you call first. Most coaches offer free consultations, so you can make contact without any cost.
5. Build your own support group – Join forces. Being self-employed can at times be lonely and there is a danger of lacking in Motivation, Accountability, Focus and Fun. Find other people with similar dreams and values. Network within your profession. Look for the ones that are successful in the way that you would like to be. As early as possible identify areas where you would want to engage with others for help or support.
6. Do at least one thing that scares you a day. Get used to leaving your comfort zone. We have a tendency to do what we know and feel secure with. But security can be like a prison. It is good to practise stepping into the unknown and feel the energy and excitement when you do.
7. Nourish your Soul. Read inspiring books and articles. Do things you enjoy. Take time to be still and contemplate. Step back and look at the whole picture again and again. Then move forward.
   

Co-operation, communication, sharing and feeling connected are some of the key ingredients for a joyful life and they are also some of the key ingredients for a successful business. Enjoy the journey; my heart and thoughts will be with you.