Last week, I parked my vehicle on a steep incline and had to set the parking brake...a rare occurrence. Upon returning to my vehicle, like a fool, I forgot to disengage the brake and pulled out down the hill. Since I only partially set the brake, the vehicle did move forward but very slowly and awkwardly. At first, I did not know what was holding back the vehicle. I gave it some more gas but the vehicle was still hesitant and somewhat unresponsive...the vehicle and I were still being held back. Then I noticed the bright red warning light on the dashboard indicating I had the parking brake engaged. Feeling somewhat embarrassed that I needed a warning light to help me detect the problem, I firmly released the parking brake and went on my merry and speedy way.
A few minutes later, at least with my business coaching brain engaged. I had a revelation. Like a partially engaged parking brake, what limiting beliefs, outdated assumptions, fears, feelings of inadequacy, and doubt could be holding most business owners back...without them even being aware? Without any warning light to help them detect the problem? Based on leading The Growth Coach, a North American business coaching franchise system, I can assure you that there are dozens and dozens of limiting beliefs and mindsets holding millions of small business owners back from greater success and fulfillment.
Similar to what happened to me, most of the 26 million plus entrepreneurs on this continent don't even realize they have their emotional parking brake engaged and holding them back. There is no convenient, bright, red operator-error warning light. They may feel in their gut that the business is being slowed down and held back, but they aren't certain of where and how.
Let's do a quick business coaching lesson. What are some possible limiting mindsets holding you and your business back? What specific beliefs, assumptions, fears and doubts could be holding you back? Here are some examples that often get verbalized: "The economy is horrible." "Business is bad, there is nothing we can do." "I need to work 70 hours a week no matter what." "We've always done it this way." "I'm too old to change." "Nobody can do this task as well as me." "If I want something done right, I have to do it myself." "You can't find good employees anymore." "Customers are idiots." "Training and business coaching are a waste of time." "Success depends on timing or luck." "I don't have enough education." "My product is a commodity." "I'm in a bad industry." "Everybody in my industry is doing poorly." "The government is ruining us." Do you recognize any of these limiting beliefs in you?
Any of these limiting mindsets, and dozens more, can be an emotional brake holding your business back from moving forward. Like our vehicles, however, wouldn't it be nice if there were a red warning light to help us out? To indicate operator-error alert? To point out the problem to us? Sure it would. We all need a warning light every now and then to help us detect when and how we are holding the business engine back.
Luckily, as business owners we do have a warning system...it's our emotions. That's right, your emotions are your feedback system. Your internal guidance system. Your GPS. Your emotions will tell you when you have your emotional parking brake (limiting beliefs and mindsets) engaged in your business and holding you back. You just have to become aware of your emotions so they can serve you and help you achieve greater success and balance.
As your virtual Growth Coach, I highly encourage you to learn to be aware of your emotions...they are worth gold. When you are experiencing positive emotions (joy, happiness, passion, fulfillment, etc.), you are moving toward your goals, values, beliefs and dreams. You have no internal conflicts. When you are experiencing negative emotions (frustrations, stress, anger, sadness, etc.), you are moving away from your goals and values. Negative emotions indicate underlying conflict.
Negative emotions are alerting you to your emotional parking brake that is engaged and holding you back. Your negative emotions are saying to slow down fool and examine your situation. Get your foot off the "business owner gas pedal" and take the time to investigate the issue. Your negative emotions are saying to switch gears, directions, thoughts, focus, and beliefs. Your emotions never lie. In fact, they are a truth detector. When your thoughts and actions are in alignment with your goals and desires, you feel good. When they aren't, you don't. Start listening to your emotions and adjusting course when necessary.
As a business owner, tune into your emotions. When you get frustrated or ticked off, ask yourself, "What is really causing this negative feeling?" "What thoughts are driving the warning light?" "What beliefs may be holding me back?" "What conflicts am I wrestling with?"
When the business is not moving forward, examine your emotions so they can help you detect your limiting beliefs. And, listen to what you are saying to yourself and others. What limiting beliefs are being verbalized? Your emotions and your words will help reveal any emotional parking brake that is engaged.
If you listen to your emotions and your words, they will help you disengage your brakes so you can move forward with greater ease and success. Or, simply ignore this business coaching advice and continue on your present course with your emotional parking brake engaged. You are free to make your own decisions and hold tight to your own beliefs...even if they hold back your success and fulfillment.
Daniel M. Murphy
President, Founder & Business Coach
The Growth Coach
Business Coaching Franchise System
Copyright ©2009 Daniel M. Murphy