It can be so tempting to chase that magic pill that grants you all the success you’ve been desiring (ideally with none of the effort, am I right?).
In fact, a lot of the marketing to online entrepreneurs that I see lately suggests that there IS a hidden secret to success that you just haven’t uncovered yet.
I’m here to tell you that there is NO secret to success, but if there was… the secret would be to not believe that everyone is hiding a secret from you.
The “secret” is showing up, doing the right things, and creating habits that contribute to the success you desire.
Over the past few years, I’ve built two successful online business and worked with dozens of entrepreneurs to create wildly successful businesses of their own. Even though each entrepreneur’s path looks a little different, I’ve discovered some major themes that are true for myself and everyone I’ve connected with. Here are the top ten habits of wildly successful entrepreneurs:
1. They get comfortable being uncomfortable.
Let’s get real, it can be massively uncomfortable to be an entrepreneur. As someone who’s crossed that elusive 6 figure mark my first year in business, I can tell you that while it’s fun, it still remains uncomfortable every time you stretch yourself, reach a new level, etc. The most successful entrepreneurs know this. They know that they reach the next level by being willing to be uncomfortable, so instead of running for their safety zones… they get comfortable in the uncomfortable.
2. They show up. Daily.
Ready for the tough truth? If you want to be wildly successful, you have to be wildly committed. It doesn’t mean you never take time off, can’t live the laptop lifestyle, or have to find yourself working 80 hours per week. But it does mean that you are so committed to and passionate about your business that you WANT to show up every day. Successful entrepreneurs know that if you want your business to grow daily, then you (or someone on your team) needs to show up daily. It’s as simple, and as difficult as that.
3. They cultivate a success mindset (whether they know it or not).
Having a success mindset is the single most important foundational piece for growing a successful business. If you believe you will be successful you’re 100 times more likely to actually be successful. I challenge you to find a wildly successful entrepreneur that spent all of their time talking and thinking about their inevitable failure. They’re simply not out there. Now, we all have self-doubt from time to time, but it’s a non-negotiable to tip the scale toward positivity and a success mindset if you actually want success. The most prosperous entrepreneurs? They make nurturing a positive mindset a fixed task in their business.
4. They have a strategy.
Here’s the thing. Everyone talks about goals all the time. Goals are important, but only because they inform your strategy. Too many entrepreneurs spend all their time focused on “goal-setting” and then they waste a ton of time throwing things at the wall to see what sticks in order to achieve those goals. What you really need is a strategy that works. The most successful entrepreneurs set their goals, but they focus on their strategy, so that they know where they’re going AND how they’re going to get there.
5. They execute on that strategy and give it time to work.
You know what else makes a strategy work? Actually executing on it! All of the brilliant strategies in the world won’t get you results unless you’re continuously and consistently putting them into action. They also need to be given the time to work. It generally takes at least 90 days for the results of most strategies to show up as results in your business. If you execute, but expect the results to materialize the next day, then you’ll be MUCH more likely to go off course. Execute on your plan, but give that plan the chance to work before you make too many changes. The wildly successful entrepreneurs? They believe their strategy will work, and they give it the time, focus, and effort to ensure that happens.
6. They build relationships.
Building a successful business can be both very simple or very complicated depending on how you look at it. But if I were to simplify it into a single sentence, I would say “Find your people, and build relationships with them.” Seriously. Everything we do in business is about building a relationship with our potential clients and customers so they move from “potential customer” to “paying customer” with ease. If you’re spending all your time “building” your business and hoping that’s enough for your paying customers to show up, you’re wasting your time. Wildly successful entrepreneurs put their time into building relationships because they know that is what truly builds their business.
7. They create content that connects and captivates.
You might be asking… How do they build relationships as an online entrepreneur? They create content that connects AND captivates. Content is the key to building relationships. Relationships built off that content open the door to success. Not to mention content is your opportunity to share your expertise, get people invested in you and your message, and give your potential clients a result before they ever pay you a dime. Content has been a foundational piece of my business and is the thing I credit for my ability to hit the 6 figure mark in under 10 months in business. Ultimately, wildly successful entrepreneurs know content is queen online, so they create amazing content, and they put it out consistently. It’s as simple as that.
If you need support creating awesome content, and making sure it actually connects and captivates you can download my free Captivating Content Challenge here where you’ll walk away knowing how to create amazing content and having content actually done and created to start putting out now (hello strategy and execution).
8. They Sell. Often.
There’s no need to beat around the bush. If you want to be successful and continue growing your business, you have to make money in your business. If you want to make money in your business, you have to sell. Wildly successful entrepreneurs know this, so they sell, and they sell often. Too many entrepreneurs are complaining about wanting to be more successful, but aren’t selling and giving themselves the chance to actually BE successful by selling regularly. Selling is a non-negotiable, and so is doing it in a way that feels good. The most successful entrepreneurs sell often and in a way that feels good to them.
9. They value community over competition.
Gone are the days of fighting your competition to the death. The time has come for community. Collaborating, connecting, serving, and learning from those in your community is something that wildly successful entrepreneurs value. There is room for all of us to be successful, and as soon as you learn and truly believe that, you open the opportunity to learn, grow, and become successful even more quickly. You give yourself permission to look forward and stay focused on your path instead of looking over your shoulder at who’s coming behind you. My community, The Lit Up & Loaded Entrepreneur, operates on the assumption that a rising tide really does lift all boats. Successful entrepreneurs know that the way to create more success is to bring others along with you.
10. They get support.
We’ve established that this whole entrepreneur thing can be tough, but you know what makes it a lot tougher? Trying to do it all on your own. There’s no gold star for reinventing the wheel. Successful entrepreneurs know that if someone has gone before them, and created the results they desire, then it’s time to get support and learn from them. This doesn’t mean creating a carbon copy of their business or following a one-size-fits-all formula. It’s about learning from those who have been there and done that and applying their wisdom to your unique business. For example, I share the 7 ways that I booked my online coaching practice solid in my first five months in business in my e-book, Your Waiting List is Waiting, in order to share what I’ve learned so that other coaches and service-based entrepreneurs can apply that to their business and create similar results. Bottom line: wildly successful entrepreneurs get support, learn from others, and apply that to their business in a way that feels good to them.
At the end of the day, success looks different to everyone, and everyone’s journey looks different. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an online entrepreneur who’s wildly successful who hasn’t completely embraced all of these habits. There’s plenty of time and opportunity for you to create your own success, follow these steps and you’ll be on your way.