Читать книгу Start & Run a Graphic Design Business - Michael Huggins - Страница 19

Along with the new mind-set of becoming an entrepreneur (and a profitable one at that) you’re going to have to constantly battle an old mind-set — your own insecurity. You’ll discover that one of your biggest business challenges could be you. Days will come when you don’t think you have what it takes to make it, so get ready for them. When those days come your insecurity will raise its ugly head. There will be multiple challenges ahead, but take heart, you can get over them all and you can come out on top. Starting your business with this little piece of knowledge could make all the difference, and help you overcome your fears.

Fear immobilizes you and can prevent you from achieving success in your business. Fear is a real income killer. It constantly sets up roadblocks, which cause all sorts of negative effects on your pocketbook:

• Fear stops you from selling effectively.

• Fear prevents you from charging market value (or above market value).

• Fear causes you to be defensive and negative in the way you communicate to prospects and clients.

In fact, negativity is a mind-set that communicates to others long before you open your mouth. It’s a subtle and deadly foe of the design entrepreneur and, if not kept in check, it can really hurt your business. Having a negative attitude can be an immediate turnoff to any prospective client. If you don’t act like a confident and successful designer, you won’t get many clients.

How do you guard yourself against insecurities? One of the best ways is to spend time around positive people. This might mean meeting with a business friend or mentor once a week, or getting together with a group of other business owners once a month. Either way, it’s important to protect yourself against becoming negative. Look for relationships with people who are encouraging and uplifting, and ask for help when you need it. Most importantly, be positive. As simple as this sounds, it will be a real benefit to you when you make a conscious effort to look for the good in every situation.