Let go of the ego, to increase your success as an Entrepreneur
This article is coming from the heart, when I say learn to let go of your ego. It was my ego that actually hindered my success for years. If I can help just one other budding entrepreneur to let go of their ego and move forward, then I will be happy. So what about the ego? It was three particular areas that caused me grief. One – I believed that I had to do everything in the business – in order to “claim the fame”. Two – that I had to be the wisest and most brilliant person and come up with all the ideas. Three – That I had to know everything… crazy I know!
In my mind I thought “I’m not allowed to be wrong… you don’t see the successful entrepreneurs getting it wrong do you?” Actually, I soon learned that they do. Look at Thomas Edison, for example, when inventing the light bulb he had something like 1000 “ways of not to do it” until he found the right way. If he hadn’t admitted that he was wrong those times, we would all still be sitting in darkness!
So, this is a chance for all “Learner” entrepreneurs, and probably some experienced ones to put down the ego and walk freely to success! Here are three things to let go of:
1. I can do it all – With much enthusiasm and innocence of a beginner, I believed that it was best that I did everything. The accounts, the marketing, the ideas, the networking, the sales, etc. You name it, that was my title. I believed that to be the best you had to be a one man band! Thankfully I soon figured out, the successful entrepreneurs found the right people for certain jobs so they could focus on the growth and direction of their business or ideas.
LESSON ONE: Learn to delegate and do the 1-2 things you enjoy doing the most. Richard Branson, a successful entrepreneur, stuck to what he was good at and got others to do everything else.
2. If I can’t think up the idea, then it won’t mean I am successful – Such a silly thing to think, but to be completely honest, I believed it. I felt that if someone had an idea or suggestion that bettered mine, then I mustn’t be successful enough. After I got over myself, what I realised was it was the successful entrepreneurs that took on other peoples suggestions and criticisms to improve on what they had, make it bigger and better.
LESSON TWO: Embrace new ideas and suggestions from the outside – whether it is friends or fellow entrepreneurs. You can develop and better your business by weaving in the advice or criticisms from others. After all – Feedback is the breakfast of champions!
3. Right first off, otherwise therefore I am a failure – Something to be very aware of is giving up after your first attempt doesn’t work. This mindset is the mindset of someone who will actually never make it – yes, they may try something new over and over, but what they don’t do is commit, persist and determine to be successful. That is what is key – and after all be open to what your failures bring. A lot of successful inventions began as a completely different intention. If you look up the Slinky or Popsicle or even Silly Putty, they all were “failures” for another idea, but became successes in their own right.
LESSON THREE: Trial and error are paramount, never give up – just evolve along with your idea. Ask – how can I make this failure into a success, you may be surprised with what develops.
Have your success in mind – focus on the goal, and don’t stress about the ‘how’. Once I realised that my goal was to be financially free – not necessarily be the entrepreneur known for certain ideas. I could then let go of how I got there and what was right for me to become successful, came to me. Relax, evolve and learn as you go. Focus on the goal, let go and enjoy the journey. It won’t take long until you reach your ultimate goal.
Filed under: Entrepreneurs