Hello again, it’s great to see you coming back for more learning nuggets.
The importance of being able to say NO!
You know the feeling when your friends ask you to go out with them for lunch or to the movies and you say yes, even though you actually don’t feel like going? It’s the same in business. We often do things for our clients that we don’t feel like doing or don’t have time to do just because we’re afraid to say “no”. Or we do them for free/cheap just because we are afraid to ask for more money.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been working a lot on myself and my businesses and I’ve realised how insecure I still am when it comes to pricing.
I started looking at this issue from a different perspective after a meeting with my accountant. I haven’t realised (until now) how important (and helpful) it is to properly understand your business numbers. Also, being reassured that my results are good and positive by my accountant made a huge difference to my self-awareness.
Just be yourself
Writing these weekly roundups has given me many opportunities to reflect and better understand my own journey. One of the biggest realisations was the importance of differentiation, authenticity and openness.
It’s challenging to be a young female entrepreneur in a city (world) filled with men in suits and that’s why I occasionally suffer from Imposter Syndrome. I’m also starting to realise, that everyone has it – young, old, male, female – today’s always switched on and the fast-paced world is harsh. It’s only up to us if we let it control us or if we fight it!
One of the things I’ve learnt this week was the importance of passion. When I started networking, I really didn’t feel comfortable selling myself. There are so many social media experts out there and around me that I felt unconfident selling myself. Over time I learnt that you don’t need to sell yourself at networking events in order to make an impression and get new clients. The most important part is being able to share your passion for your business, having a handy solution to potential pain points (showcasing what you do best) and being remembered.
Success doesn’t happen overnight, that’s why it’s important to be consistent (keep coming to selected networking events), be friendly and helpful (offer advice or recommend a solution to people) and be yourself (because everyone else is already taken)!
Book corner
This week I’ve been listening to an older audiobook by my all-time favourite entrepreneur and social media guru, Gary Vaynerchuk – The Thank You Economy. There are lots of clever and inspiring chapters in this book, but I liked the following the most:
“Too many people are scared to share their visions and thoughts in public or even in board-rooms. Having a strong vision is important for your personal brand. Don’t be afraid to say what you think. Ever. That said, don’t forget to listen, either.”
I’ve also watched quite a few TEDx talks over the past week and this one really resonated with me: Know your worth, and then ask for it by Casey Brown.
How about you? Do you struggle with self-confidence and finding your unique place and voice in the market? I’d love to hear about your experiences and solutions that helped you overcome your insecurities.
Have you missed my previous roundups? You can catch up on all my learnings here: What I learnt this week…
