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Anyone who enters one ENTREPRENEURS the role can be successful if they realize their potential and adopt the mindset to believe it. I have seen this in practice.
I have seen thousands of self-starters become successful when they connect to their inherent possibilities. I have learned that you need faith, support, role models and the willingness to learn from victories and OBSTACLES to activate your potential as an entrepreneur.
Build trust – you will need it
The elusive creature called 'faith'. We all know how critical it is – whether it's nailing a presentation or starting your first day at work. But FAITH it is not necessarily what many think it is. Rather than building command and certainty, I've found that the key to building confidence is overcoming fear and embracing less-than-desired outcomes.
So how can you do this and build trust as an entrepreneur? A powerful way that has helped a lot is to reframe the failure by focusing on what you learned from the experience.
For example, Ring first appeared on Shark Tank as 'Doorbot'. Only one shark made a bid, and that was as low as the founder of the Ring Jamie Siminoff rejected it. Although Siminoff did not accept a deal for the show, he considered the exposure a success and focused on building on the visibility and momentum it sparked.
When you start looking at every failure not as a loss, but as a chance to learn and grow, you change the narrative of your professional journey. Taking risks becomes less scary and, frankly, rewarding.
Siminoff's vision and hard work paid off in 2018 when Amazon bought Ring for over $1 billion. This monumental deal was a testament to Siminoff's tenacity and optimism. When we are able to let go of perceived failures and focus on the victories they provide in the form of opportunities and lessons learned, we exude an aura of positivity and confidence that is infectious and strengthens us to keep going. This is entrepreneurial confidence at its best.
Related: 10 things you can do to increase your self-confidence
Find models that embody what's important to you
Who is your role model? It doesn't have to be someone like Steve Jobs just because they have been warned about their business acumen. It could be your grandmother or your neighbor. Think about who inspires you and, more importantly, why. What makes them exceptional? Why do they leave such an impression on you and make you think differently?
Imagining what success would look and feel like can be powerful. or role model can inform our idea of what this means on a personal level, allowing you to explore many different driving options that can shape your personal style.
Related: How to reframe your inner dialogue for greater fulfillment in both work and life
Don't do it alone
We have heard it all – “None of us is an island”, “It takes a village” and many other such statements. They are true! People who tap into their greatest potential know they have strengths, but they also know better than to try to do everything on their own. Instead, they seek the wisdom and talent of others to balance their skills and overcome blind spots.
My friend Asheesh Advani, president and CEO of Junior Achievement Worldwide, shared a piece of wisdom with me: befriend someone five to ten years older. That person can provide just the support you need to learn from their successes and missteps.
More and more people are turning to it professional training for support in identifying and realizing their vision and purpose. The International Coaching Federation defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The coaching process often unlocks previously untapped resources of imagination, productivity and leadership.
Related: 4 reasons why every entrepreneur should have a business coach
Start with “why” and end with “how”
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? What do you want to achieve? How does it feel to lead your team to this success? These are questions you can explore to define your goals and better understand your personal vision of success—an important compass for any entrepreneur.
Goal setting works best when used to define REALISTICincremental steps towards realizing your vision. Achieving these goals by witnessing your progress step by step can help channel your energies into what matters most and will yield the best results.
It also reinforces the idea that setbacks are not failures, but learning opportunities that help you move toward your goals.
Your potential awaits you
If you want people to believe in your business, you must first believe in yourself. If you feel lost, you are not alone. You have the power to unleash your greatest asset – your inherent potential.
As you pursue it, examine your fears and overcome them to build your confidence, find role models who inspire you, build a support network, and set a clear vision for the success you're pursuing. I have no doubt that you will find yourself thriving beyond your wildest dreams.