“yeah…but that won’t work in the real world”
How many times have I heard this?
I have been in business for the past 20 years. I’m now pretty confident that my ideas are going to be successful and work. I have been through the struggles of start ups. I’ve had many successes and just as many failures and I have learned many valuable lessons from all of these things.
But the most consistent thing I’ve seen over this time when starting something new is the following:
I have a business idea and I run it by my friends, family and work colleagues. Because I want acceptance and affirmation that my idea is a good one. That it will be successful…that’s its something they will support me in.
It’s a lifestyle idea that suits me perfectly. It gives me the work life balance I’ve always dreamed of. I had been thinking about it non stop and I know it will work. I’ve done my research…it all makes total sense.
Then I asked other peoples advice and what they thought about my plans…
I wanted people to like my idea. That they thought it was great…that they would be supportive.
Problem is the world is full of dream stoppers. People who believe 9-5 is safe. That you need job security to get ahead in the world. They’re the one who’ll tell you that you’re idea won’t work and will have all the reasons why:
- “Business is too risky”
- “What if you get no clients?”
- “The economy bad right now”
- “You won’t make enough money?”
- “You can’t work less hours…that’s impossible”
- “You’re not a big enough name to be able to do that”
- “You need a secure job, working for yourself is too hard”
- “That sound great…but it doesn’t happen in the real world”
These were the people who have never stepped outside of their own comfort zone. Why should I believe them? What experience do they have to justify this advice? Have they started their own business before?
I set out to prove them wrong.
That’s exactly what happened with my Solo Stylist career.
I wanted the following from my business:
- more money
- more time for myself
- more time for my family
- more travel opportunities
- less physical working hours
I knew exactly how to achieve it and was about to put it all into place
I balanced my hours to suit my lifestyle and I only work hours that work for me. I worked out exactly what I needed to do and made the leap. I had belief in my ideas.
I wanted to flip this industry and no longer do the same thing the rest of the hairdressing industry continues to do year after year expecting it to change.
Too many people live in fear of the unknown. They will never take the risk for themselves and believe you shouldn’t either if they can’t. The majority actually don’t want you to succeed because it justifies their decision to stay safe. If you succeed it shows their personal failings to themselves. If you fail it justifies their fears.
Remember…you are the only one who can achieve your own goals.
Don’t let them drag you down…don’t believe anyone that says it won’t work. Let them live in their world and make sure you live in yours.
Key Points:
- Know what you want to achieve
- Don’t let other people drag you down
- Make sure you live in your world…not theirs
Until next time…
Craig
The Solo Stylist
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