As Mark Twain stated, "It's not what you don't know that holds you back, it's what you know for sure that just ain't so." As your virtual business coach, please read that again. Surprisingly, it's your certitude around some of your fast-held business beliefs that could be holding you back. After all, when was the last time you questioned and challenged such beliefs and assumptions? That's what I thought.
Therefore, in this business coaching blog, let's take the time to become fully aware of and challenge some of your basic business beliefs. As a business coach for many years, I can tell you that false assumptions and limiting beliefs almost always interfere with greater levels of success and happiness.
As your business coach, let me ask you some questions. What are some of your strongest business beliefs? Do you believe that business is suppose to be a struggle? That you must work 70 hours a week to be successful? That you are better off doing everything yourself? That you must maintain full control to reach full success? That nobody else can do your tasks as well as you? That you must have your hand in every transaction? That it's nearly impossible to trust others? That it's OK to have all the answers in your head instead of on paper? That fire drills are part of business? That all your problems are due to your employees? That employees will always let you down? That you already learned everything you need to know? That documenting your processes is a waste of time and effort?
If some or several of these are your core beliefs, be warned. It will be nearly impossible to grow a business that is not totally dependent on you -- you will be trapped. If you don't question and challenge these beliefs, they will surely challenge your business. Odds are, you will remain overworked, overwhelmed and a prisoner to your business. You will continue to own a job, not a business. Is this what you truly want? Are you ready for some tough-love business coaching?
As a veteran business coach, please trust me. These types of self-limiting and self-sabotaging beliefs, more than anything else, will interfere with your goals for greater success, free time, freedom, and fulfillment. Unless you destroy them, they will destroy you. You can not run a business all alone. You must be able to trust others. Otherwise, such fear-based beliefs will act like brakes on your business and your personal satisfaction.
As your business coach, my advice is for you to eliminate, diminish or at least neutralize such beliefs if you are to release the brakes and the full potential of your business, yourself and your employees. You must clear such beliefs from your mindset to free up greater levels of success and fulfillment. Or, be content with where you are, who you are, and blindly accept all your business beliefs as true. Your call.
If you want to change, here are some simple questions to help you examine, challenge, and modify any potentially damaging belief:
1. State your belief (e.g. "I am better off doing everything myself")
2. In my heart and gut, do I truly believe this? If not, then let go of that belief right now.
3. If I do believe it, why do I believe this? Where did this belief come from? Who or what influenced me?
4. Is this belief helping me or hurting me? Moving me toward or away from my goals?
5. If this belief is hurting me and holding me back, am I ready to let go of this self-limiting belief?
6. If so, what steps will I take to modify this belief?
7. Who can help hold me accountable for changing this self-sabotaging belief?
Again, it's not what you don't know that is holding you back, it's what you know for sure (that you haven't examined and challenged) that just ain't so. Keep questioning your business beliefs so they are in alignment with where you want to go and who you want to be.
Daniel M. Murphy
The Growth Coach
Business Coaching Franchise System