Ever wondered what it was like when I was first starting my business?
You know, the NOT so pretty part that most people wouldn’t show on IG?
The part where I legit built my network marketing business with a laptop propped up on a pillow while I breastfed my son? #truestory
Lemme tell you something…I’ve been an entrepreneur for since 2011, and it wasn’t always pretty. More like a roller coaster.
Ever felt that way?
You’re hustling all day and wondering what the heck you got yourself into.
Will this thing ever work??
I’ve 100% been there. I wanted to share with you 8 business lessons I’ve learned on this journey that I hope you find helpful.
Business Lesson #1: Invest in yourself and make personal growth a top priority
I started doing this back when I was 23. I heard Brian Tracy and Darren Hardy say they invested a % of their income back into their personal growth, and I started to do the same.
“Income seldom exceeds personal development.” ―Jim Rohn
There are so many books and podcasts that you can read to get started.
Top 5 books for entrepreneurs: https://rachelngom.com/female-entrepreneurs/
Bigger list: https://rachelngom.com/best-books-for-female-entrepreneurs/
Top podcasts: https://rachelngom.com/17-female-entrepreneur-podcasts/
Business Lesson #2 Don’t forget to leave the house
Seriously. Don’t become a hermit. Sign up for things like spin class, toast masters, bible study, salsa class….something to get you around other human beings.
This is essential. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in what you’re doing that you forget there are other humans around you.
Sign up for something where you get outside interaction on a weekly basis.
Business Lesson #3: Don’t hustle so much that you forget about what’s truly important
I hustled myself into adrenal fatigue and a 30 pound weight gain back in 2015.
You don’t want to be the richest woman in the cemetery.
Focus on health, family, faith, relationships, etc. in ADDITION to your business.
Why are you building your business in the first place? Remember that.
And then check out some of my productivity tips so you don’t have to work so darn much.
Batching content: https://rachelngom.com/social-media-content
Entrepreneur schedule secrets: https://rachelngom.com/entrepreneur-schedule/
Essential business systems: https://rachelngom.com/business-systems/
Business Lesson #4: Set boundaries, and keep them.
If you don’t set boundaries, you’ll end up responding to emails and phone calls at all hours of the night and suffer serious burn out.
You teach people how to treat you. So get yourself some boundaries.
Have specific hours when you’re working and honor that time. Let your clients know that you take weekends off so they know what to expect.
If they can’t respect your desire for the weekends off, then they’re probably not the best client to work with anyways. Bless and release.
Business Lesson #5: Pay yourself first
Great book that you should check out– Profit First.
I’m def not an expert when it comes to finances, but I can tell you that if you’re not careful, your hard earned income will disappear if you don’t prioritize profit.
Grab a copy of Profit First so you can understand this essential business lesson.
Business Lesson #6: Hang out with a tribe that elevates you.
There will be people who don’t get what you do, and that’s fine. Hang out with the ones who inspire you to grow!
Our ladies in Activate are seriously the BEST and I’m so grateful I get to lead them.
If you don’t have a core group of other entrepreneurs, you’re missing out and it’s gonna be a hard and lonely ride.
You NEED to know that you aren’t crazy and alone on this journey! Entrepreneurship can be HARD. Really really hard. It’s so important that you have other people there to support you.
Business Lesson #7: Attend events. It’s where the magic happens.
Again, get out of your house, and get to a live event.
I’ve attended dozens of events over the years and can tell you that there really isn’t anything like taking that time for YOU to learn and grow, and to meet other people just like you.
Some of my fave events:
Unleash the Power Within (Tony Robbins)
Date with Destiny (Tony Robbins)
First Steps to Success (Dani Johnson)
Dynasty (Dani Johnson)
You NEED to go to UPW with Tony. It’ll change your life.
Business Lesson #8: Learn how to manage your time and give yourself deadlines.
If you give yourself 24 hours to complete something, it will take that long. Set a timer for an hour when you sit down to work and see how much more productive you are =)
There are MANY more but that’s a good start =)
What’s a lesson you’ve learned since being an entrepreneur?
Comment below =)