When you leap into the entrepreneurial world, you’re leaving behind the comfort of a boss and stepping into the role of decision-maker. It's a huge shift that can be super empowering, but also bring up feelings of loneliness and uncertainty. Many entrepreneurs subconsciously miss the structure and validation found in a corporate, more traditional setting–which can unknowingly lead to self-sabotage in your business. Read on for tips and tools to lean into your self-trust and cultivate deeper self-validation in your business.
When you become an entrepreneur, seeking approval from others shifts to building confidence within yourself. The hard thing is as an entrepreneur, especially if you’re new-ish, you likely won’t have validation for the first while. You need to believe in yourself and your product or services first, in order to instill confidence and trust in your audience as well.
Where most entrepreneurs get tripped up is by not receiving validation within a reasonable timeline, and making it mean that they aren’t cut out for this, need to pivot their services, or need to run out and get another certification. But what if it just meant that your business needs more time to marinate, and your audience needs more time to build up their trust with you?
In business, there’s about a 90 day window with any strategy. This means you need to be consistent with your strategy for 90 days in a row in order to start seeing any results. Once that 90 days of consistency is through, then, and only then, you can tweak and adjust your strategy based on those results.
But 90 days without validation can feel like the end of the word–especially as a solo business owner. So, many founders pivot their brand to the moon and back constantly, and never give their audience time to catch up or grasp on because things are constantly changing. Unfortunately, this lack of consistency can lead to a lack of trust, which is why so many talented, well-meaning founders don't end up making it past year one.
Moving from seeking outside validation to believing in yourself is difficult. Especially when you're new to entrepreneurship, the recognition you want may not come right away. But remember, your self-confidence is what builds trust with your audience. In fact, your strong belief in your product and in yourself is what sets the stage for your success as an entrepreneur.
What if you treated your business like an athlete treats their sport? If your business becomes something that you habitually and consistently show up for with an open mind and heart (in easy times and hard!) you will inevitably grow over time.
Recognize and celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. Every new follower, every dollar made, every comment, every minor victory, contributes to the bigger tapestry of your success story. Celebrations attract more reasons to celebrate and fortify your self-confidence.
As you cultivate self-validation, remember that your brand's identity and journey play a pivotal role in this process. To explore how brand strategy and design can infuse new vitality into your brand growth, let's delve into the possibilities outlined below:
Immerse yourself in "The One," a self-guided expedition into brand positioning tailored for luxury service professionals. This transformative course enables you to bid farewell to comparisons and unveil a niche and message that mirrors your authenticity.
Should you seek personalized luxury branding, the Brandcamp VIP Week awaits. In just one week, this intensive program pairs innovative strategies with compelling design to launch your dream brand.
Envision a holistic brand makeover that touches every facet of customer interaction. From messaging to visuals and marketing content, our tailored Holistic Brand Experiences elevate your brand's essence.
Your journey as an entrepreneur is a far-reaching exploration beyond the pursuit of external validation. It's a path of self-trust, unwavering commitment, and rejoicing in small wins. By nurturing a steadfast belief in yourself, your creation, and your path, you're forging an unshakeable foundation for sustainable, long-term success.
With love,
Chelsea
Principal, Honey & Co.
I'm a Canadian brand strategist and designer specializing in helping premium service providers build a captivating brand and online presence that attracts the right clients like bees to honey. Ready to dive in?
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