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Episode #89
Here’s the short version. To listen to the full episode, click on the play button above!
If you are stuck in a busy career but planning to become your own boss you might feel like you need to be a superhero to balance your day job with all the things you need to do to start and launch your business. And in a way that’s true. You do need to develop certain powers to navigate your way out of the employee world and launch a new business or freelance venture.
But don't worry, you don't need to be able to fly, leap buildings in a single bound or shoot laser beams from your eyes to be a super-powered wannabe business owner. I’m going to talk you through some more down-to-earth superpowers that you do need, so you can start to develop them.
TIME MASTERY
To create and build a business while still in a day job, managing time effectively is crucial, you have to be a time management ninja. You need to be able to juggle and prioritize lots of tasks and make the most of every second of your week. Now you might say “I do that already in my day job”, which may be true but in your day job you probably have one or two specialisms whereas as your own boss, you have many different responsibilities (not all of which you will be an expert in). And you need to find time for everything. This is where the time mastery superpower comes in. It’s the ability to manage time efficiently and effectively. It involves setting clear goals, creating schedules, avoiding distractions and creating positive habits so you are in control of your time, time does not control you. By mastering the hours, minutes and seconds in your day, you can get more done in less time.
MIND POWERS
You need to become a bit of a psychic. Ok, this may be a bit of an exaggeration but as an aspiring business owner, you will need the ability to read people's minds and the hive mind of your industry in some way.
The good news is, you don’t have to be born with mind reading or control powers (although they would definitely help! I wish I had them sometimes!) you can develop your mind power with the right methodology.
The biggest way your mind-reading skills come in is by understanding your ideal potential customers. What they want and need is crucial to the creation and success of your business. When you have looked into their minds and worked out what they are looking for, what their life is like, and what their difficulties and challenges are you'll be able to anticipate their desires and provide them with the products or services that they're looking for. So how do you get into their head?
Well start with finding people who could be your ideal customer and if you can speak with them 1:1 or find places where they hang out in person or online and hear what they have to say. Really listen to them and the language they use as they describe exactly what their situation is and what they want. Empathise with them. By developing empathy, you can better understand your potential customer's needs and concerns.
You know you have hit the sweet spot when you write an email or a social media post and your potential clients are saying, “How do you know this! That is exactly my problem/what I want. It’s like you are in my head!”. That is what you are aiming for.
Being able to persuade and influence people is one of the most important mind powers to cultivate. Whether you're pitching your business to potential investors or trying to convince a customer to make a purchase, you'll need to be able to articulate what makes you different and convince people why they should choose you over someone else doing the same thing.
To develop this power you need to understand the psychology of persuasion and influence, and also learn about ethical marketing and sales techniques.
SUPER STRENGTH
Now we're not talking about physical strength here (although that can be helpful too in terms of being fit and healthy). We're talking about mental and emotional strength. As you navigate out of your job and build your business you're going to need a certain level of mental toughness. Starting and running a successful business is a marathon, not a sprint. You'll need to have the stamina to keep going even when things get tough. This means being able to work long hours, stay focused, and persevere in the face of challenges. It also means being able to take care of yourself both physically and mentally, so that you have the energy and resilience to keep going. So, while you may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, you'll need to be able to push yourself to the limit and keep going when others would give up.
It’s important to have some ways to deal with the negative thoughts and feelings that maybe you should just stay where you are. Because I promise you this process of leaving the employee world is 80% about having a strong and positive mindset.
In my free course ‘How to decide your next move’ I talk about some powerful techniques you can use to stay mentally strong and positive as you build your business while still in a day job. If you’re interested in signing up for the free course, click on the link below.
SUPER CONNECTOR POWER
In the world of entrepreneurship, the ability to build connections is an incredibly powerful superpower that can open doors to countless opportunities. By building relationships with other entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and industry leaders, you can gain access to valuable resources, knowledge, and support that can help you grow your business. Connecting to people in this community can help you to tap into the collective expertise of like-minded individuals who are all working towards similar goals.
This also means that you have a wider reach and greater visibility for your business. Through conferences, seminars, training courses, events, social media, and other platforms, you can connect with potential customers, partners, and investors who may be interested in your products or services. These connections can also help you expand your reach and grow your brand awareness, which can lead to more business opportunities and revenue.
POWER OF DETECTION
Finally, once you have launched your new business you'll need to develop your powers of detection. You'll need to be able to identify new opportunities and sniff out potential problems before they arise. This means keeping your eyes and ears open and being attuned to changes in your industry or market. It also involves keeping up with the latest technology and thinking creatively
about how to innovate and differentiate your business. You can do this by attending relevant conferences and events, following leading gurus in your industry and keeping an eye on your own customers and what changes you can see in their buying behaviours. So, while you may not be able to solve crimes like Sherlock Holmes, your detective powers will help you stay relevant and keep ahead of the game.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS…
All these superpowers are possible to develop and will help move your business forward well after you have handed in your notice. And the good news is, you don't need to be bitten by a radioactive spider, fall in a vat of nuclear waste or be exposed to gamma rays to acquire them! With a little bit of practice and a lot of determination, you can develop these superpowers and become the superhero of your own business and life.
>>FREE COURSE<< If you're feeling stuck and uncertain about what to do next in your working life, be sure to check out my free course "How to Decide Your Next Move." I guide you through the simple steps you need to take to get crystal clear on what you will do next in life, beyond the 9 to 5.
