How can I overcome my fear and just go for success?

12 Dec

I recently asked a question on the HOPEpreneurs Facebook page about the biggest challenges women faced when starting a business. You get to add more options and someone entered fear. This started me thinking about what fears have prevented me from being successful in my business. Often these internal struggles become my biggest barrier to success. Now that I have HOPE – confidence in taking the next step – my fears are not paralyzing me.

Failure

A lot of times I would project what I wanted to see happen. I’m not talking here about a vision for the future because that is important to have. What I mean is the step-by-step play book where others would respond exactly like I anticipated and I would quickly reach my goals. I would get discouraged and consider myself a failure.

HOPE Antidote

I now tell myself that no matter what happens, I have not failed if I change as a result of the experience. When I take a step back and look at the chain of events, I can have a different perspective of what did not work and try different approaches. What did you change this week?

What others will think

I used to discuss my entrepreneurial ideas with anyone who would listen. I am an idea person and love brainstorming. Unfortunately, I did not choose my listeners wisely. As I would jump from one idea to the next their eyes would glaze over. When I asked, “What do you think?” I would get anywhere from a lukewarm, “Sounds interesting,” to a “I’m not following you.” I would feel deflated and wanted to give up on the seed of my idea even before it had a chance.

HOPE Antidote

Share selectively. Start the conversation with: “I’m in brainstorming mode about an idea for a business. Would you please be a sounding board?” When they give their comments consider that you asked for it. Ask clarifying questions and improve on your idea.

Success

As strange as it may sound, I have found that I have hesitated to fully commit to a new venture because of what it would take to make it successful. What can make this worse is when we receive negative feedback from significant people in our lives who have good intentions because they don’t want to see us get hurt by ‘getting our hopes up.’  Many women, in particular, fear being lonely if they are successful. Other times we see people who act like jerks because they let their success go to their heads. We promise ourselves that we will never be like that.

HOPE Antidote

Make steady progress toward your goal through small wins that get you going in the right direction. Take a look at what will happen as you succeed in your business venture. Keep in mind that success will not change you if you stay grounded and surround yourself with those who will speak truth into your life. In fact, you can do a lot of good with your success. Take others with you on your journey.

Let me know how it goes this week as you face your fear and make forward movement to overcome the barriers and obstacles that stand in your way. I would love to hear from you in the comment section of this blog. Let’s make forward progress this week as HOPEpreneurs!

Karen Sebastian is a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed in your business. Subscribe to this blog for more inspiration on how to become a HOPEpreneur.

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Do I have to stop networking during the holiday season?

8 Dec

We are in the time of the year when it’s tempting to give ourselves the excuse that we are all too busy to keep networking. Whatever you do, don’t stop networking. Once you lose momentum it can be harder to get started again after the first of the year. Instead, shift your focus a little. It’s actually a perfect time to check out some new networking circles, make a few extra calls and set up some appointments.

Expand your networking circle by attending seasonal events.

Many times there are groups that will extend an invitation to non-members. Go and test the waters. Be prepared to meet some brand new contacts and follow up with them.

Take the lead to set up a definite time to meet.

Check through your contacts to see if there are any open loops. Take the initiative to email or call that person to set up a definite time to meet. The whole approach of “Let’s get together soon” usually doesn’t work because people are so busy.

Flex your meeting times.

Expect a positive result because often people take a more relaxed approach toward work during this season. You may have to be more flexible and plan to meet around 4:30 pm instead of having lunch.

Have fun.

Enjoy your opportunities to meet others. Be ready to give your input and lend a helping hand. It will come back to you in surprising ways.

Karen Sebastian is a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed in your business. Subscribe to this blog for more inspiration on how to become a HOPEpreneur.

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Using Social Media

3 Dec

I never understood all the requests to “Like” a page until I created the HOPEpreneurs Facebook page.

In an effort to promote this blog, I decided to create a Fan page on Facebook. It turns out that when you first start out you have a really long link. Once you get 25 “Likes” you can create a ‘vanity URL’ or a shorter link with your user name. It is more friendly and appealing. When I first started my page I invited each one of my friends on Facebook. I only got seven responses. I’ve ignored similar requests. It just seemed like such a needy approach to ask others to “Like” your page. Now that I know it’s helpful, I’ll be more likely to take the quick action to click on the thumbs up icon.

Here’s an introduction to HOPEpreneurs and the link to the Facebook page. If you have not already done so, please “Like” my HOPEpreneurs Facebook page. Thanks in advance.

I’ll be sharing more tidbits as I learn more about Social Media.

Karen Sebastian is a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed in your business. Subscribe to this blog for more inspiration on how to become a HOPEpreneur.

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Why should I spend time networking?

1 Dec

I had the privilege of meeting a fantastic group of women today who are part of the Orchid women-to-women networking group. This is a very warm faith-based networking group that meets several times of month. By joining this networking group I gain the following benefits (ROI) from networking:

  1. Relationships. One of the things that this networking group does well is give time for those attending to get to know the people at our tables. One of the fallacies about networking is that it is enough to pass out  your business cards. The key is to connect and be memorable. I feel confident that the ones that I connected with today will become friends as I follow-up with them.
  2. Opportunities to learn. Another favorable component was a speaker who provided timely information on SEO and Social Media. I gained helpful information that will help me immediately. It makes me want to go back.
  3. Informal network. It takes time and effort to build a strong network that will benefit you whether you are looking for a job or building a business.  It’s also easy to get so busy that we neglect this process. Be willing to give and share your expertise with others. This will build your credibility and move you toward continued success.

Solid networking takes time but the Return on Investment is well worth the effort. Make joining a networking group one of the key steps in your strategy to build your business. There are many different groups out there. If you live in the Dallas area, I recommend you check out Orchid.

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When is the right time to launch my business?

28 Nov

Have you ever dreamed of starting your business? How can you know when is the best time to go for it?

Several factors are contributing to more women-owned businesses:

  1. Financial necessity. According to a report from American Express OPEN the number of women-owned firms in the U.S. increased by 50% which is 1.5 times the national average. For many the reason to start their own business is because they have lost their jobs or simply need to bring in extra income.
  2. Opportunity. There are tremendous opportunities available today for women to start businesses. There are a lot of organizations that are available to help. You are headed in the right direction when you become solution oriented about the problems others complain about.
  3. Desire to gain control over their lives.  Are you tired of limiting your possibilities for the future? It takes a lot of effort to start your own business yet the rewards are priceless.

The good news is that you are the determining factor of whether you will be successful. The bad news is that if you keep thinking about it and waiting for a perfect time it may never happen.

The best time to get started is right now. Become a HOPEpreneur today.

Karen Sebastian is a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed in your business. Subscribe to this blog for more inspiration on how to become a HOPEpreneur.

What is a HOPEpreneur?

25 Nov

I’ve coined a new word – HOPEpreneurs – – the fusion of passion and purpose.

An entrepreneur dreams of a successful venture and changes her world to make it happen taking full responsibility for the outcome.

Currently, hope seems to be in short supply due to financial constraints and an overall negative environment. The ‘HOPEpreneur’ sees the opportunity to solve the issues about which others complain.

There are many who have an idea of something they want to do some day. The problem is that they are waiting for the perfect time to do it. The time to start it is NOW!

I’m excited about the opportunity to meet other HOPEpreneurs. Let me know of your struggles and your success so I can publish it to others and inspire them to make their dreams come true.

Karen

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