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7 Mental Hang-Ups that Prevent Explosive Business Growth

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mental hangups in business
Joel Brown

Most of us want to grow our businesses, but many of us watch and see others explode into internet celebrity status while others struggle to even pay their monthly hosting fee.

But there are reasons why some people are not seeing the results that their skills and talents would warrant, because their mental infrastructure and programming are not in line with where they are in their business.

These are the 7 biggest reasons that they may not be seeing the growth that some of their peers are seeing:

 

1. Having a “Wing It” approach to their business

The biggest problem when new entrepreneurs are in the early stages of their business is that they take a “try it out” attitude with their business. Meaning they will “try it out” and then get serious if they start seeing success.

The problem with this approach is that if you do not take the business seriously, you will never have any results. This creates a never ending circle of businesses that this person starts, but never actually gives their best effort for and continues to be stuck in the exact same place that they started.

Give your business a chance by committing to it. I’m not saying you quit your job day-one, but you also cannot be just trying it out. Start working on it in your free time, make it a top priority and do the action steps you already know how to do; and you will start seeing the results.

 

2. Limited interaction with successful people

The old school method of becoming a millionaire was work hard, save your money and eventually you could become a millionaire. But now the path is massive action, massive knowledge and connecting with the right people.

By now you’ve heard the cliché that you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. And that is true, which is why having access to those individuals who have reached the incredible feat of making six or seven figures is crucial. By learning from them you can cut out years from your business to get to both of those income levels.

So what is the best way to get access to these people? There are two good options:

Live EventsFor example, the recent World Domination Summit had plenty of these types of people there. In September I will be attending Ryan Lee’s FreedymFest. Pick an event that will have successful people there and make it a point to connect with them.

Online Courses/MastermindsBy joining a course or an online mastermind you will have access to people who are further along the path than you are. By developing relationships with them they can become mentors, affiliates or even partners.

 

Jim-Rohn-Average

3. Being too comfortable

This is mostly for people who have a job, but these people are too comfortable with their middle class lifestyle to cut back and invest some of that money into growing their business.

You are going to need to invest money into your business, for a website, web hosting, autoresponder, training & coaching, and eventually into traffic. But if you’re not willing to give up buying another pair of shoes this month or a new electronic gadget that won’t help you build a business, then you are holding yourself back from success.

Be willing to sacrifice some of the comforts of the middle class so you can reap upper class rewards.

 

4. Fear of monetary success

Some of you are probably looking at that description and wondering how someone could be afraid of making more money. But greater income also brings greater challenges.

Some people will end up sabotaging themselves because they cannot even fathom writing a six-figure tax bill (even though they are making six or seven figures). Or they know they do not have the discipline to save their money to pay taxes and end up subconsciously sabotaging themselves to make less money.

Another example is having to pay a high level accountant rather than paying $50 to the local HR Block guy. But we must understand that these are good problems to have, as it means our businesses are growing.

 

5. Uncomfortable telling people what to do

For your business to grow you will need to be directing people towards certain actions or even flat out telling them what to do. This could include employees, clients, or email subscribers. If you cannot tell them what they need to do, you will never build anything.

Just think about all the ways you may have to tell someone what to do:

  • A call to action in an email or direct mail marketing message (i.e. opt-in to your email campaigns or clicking a link to an interview or article of yours)
  • Telling an employee a task that they need to perform
  • Telling a potential client that they should buy from you

All of these are essential to your business. The people who can’t do this may have a number of reasons for not doing so (i.e. lack of self esteem or worrying about what other people will think), but you need to be able to take charge and give direction to both your audience and your team.

 

6. No mental toughness

Too many people simply lack the guts to make it big. There are many reasons why this could be the case:

  • They get easily distracted or thrown off course and struggle to get back on track.
  • They simply do not work hard enough to get where they want to go.
  • They always have an excuse for when things don’t go their way.
  • Maybe they’re just the type of person who easily quits.

Whatever the reason, these people will continue to trip themselves up every chance they get. Instead of this, take control of your life, give your business the effort it deserves, and if there is a market for it, then never give up.

“Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.”  – Lance Armstrong

7. Having a huge vision for what you’re doing

Entrepreneurship is an intense journey, similar to the proverbial roller coaster ride. Despite venture capitalists obsession with “hockey stick growth,” most businesses rarely have such a linear trajectory. So you need to have a HUGE legacy in mind when you’re going through the ups and downs, or you’ll never make it. Because when things get tough…you’ll quit. Even if you have guts, you have nothing to fight for.

When you know exactly where you’re going, and why you are doing it, you’ll have that extra gear when you’re sick or tired or just feeling lazy to get stuff done. Your vision has become your mission, and it is one of the top priorities in your life (up there with your faith and your family).

When you have this vision you will track it ruthlessly. You’ll know the exact capacity of your business as it stands now, and also what it could take on immediately before becoming overwhelmed, and most importantly what the next steps are to get closer to that ultimate goal.

 

Thank you for reading my article! What mental hang-up is stopping your business from growing?

 

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How to Build Your Dream Tech Startup Team

Are you starting a startup business? Look to build a tech team for your “newborn organization,” and check out this article for useful tips.

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building a startup team
Image Credit: Midjourney

Building a tech startup in today’s competitive market is a daunting task. While an innovative software business idea is considered a great foundation for success, it is not a guarantee. Instead, how you build your tech startup team plays a crucial role in determining the ultimate success of a venture. (more…)

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15 Business Lessons From Napoleon’s Playbook

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Business Lessons and strategies from Napoleon Bonaparte for Entrepreneurs and CEO's
Image Credit | Joel Brown

Unleash your business potential by harnessing Napoleon’s strategic genius.

From dreaming big and thinking bold to moving fast and staying agile, these time-tested tactics are your blueprint for success.

Learn how creative leadership, detailed planning, and relentless execution can transform your business landscape. Boost morale, lead with clarity, and embrace hard work to conquer your industry.

Don’t just survive—thrive with the power of Napoleon’s lessons.

Here are 15 Powerful Lessons You Can Learn From Napoleon Bonaparte

 

1. Dream Big, Think Bold

Napoleon wasn’t just playing small; he believed that “Imagination rules the world.” In the business world, boldness and creativity are game-changers. Don’t just aim to fit in—push boundaries and set ambitious goals that make you stand out.

Think of Steve Jobs, who didn’t just want to make computers; he wanted to revolutionize entire industries. Your vision should be so grand it almost feels unreachable. When you dream big, you inspire those around you to believe in the impossible and work together to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

2. Move Fast, Stay Agile

Napoleon’s quick and secretive moves gave him an edge. In business, you gotta be nimble. Adapt quickly, move fast, and you’ll often find yourself ahead of the game, capturing opportunities your competitors miss.

Companies like Amazon and Tesla thrive because they constantly innovate and pivot when needed. Speed is your friend; it allows you to react to market changes and customer demands faster than the competition, ensuring you remain relevant and ahead of the curve.

3. Creative Leadership

Napoleon thrived on chaos and wasn’t afraid to switch things up. Unlike rigid leaders, he was flexible and adaptive. In business, embrace change and let chaos work for you. Being adaptable can turn unpredictable situations into opportunities.

Think of how Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to a streaming giant. Flexibility and creativity in leadership allow you to navigate through turmoil and emerge stronger, transforming challenges into stepping stones.

 

4. Organize Like a Pro

Napoleon’s mind was like a supercomputer, processing vast amounts of info to make smart moves. Businesses should do the same—stay organized, use real-time data, and adapt strategies based on fresh insights to keep that competitive edge.

Utilize modern tools like CRM systems, analytics software, and AI to manage information efficiently. Staying organized and informed means you can make better decisions, foresee potential issues, and react promptly.

 

5. Keep It Simple

Napoleon knew the power of simplicity. Overcomplicating things can bog you down. In business, streamline processes and focus on what truly matters to hit your goals efficiently.

Apple’s product design philosophy under Jobs was about simplicity and user-friendliness.When you remove unnecessary complexity, you reduce errors, speed up processes, and make it easier for your team to focus on what’s important, driving efficiency and effectiveness.

 

6. Execute Relentlessly

Once Napoleon decided on a course of action, he went all in. In business, once you pick a direction, pursue it with full commitment. Execution is where success is truly made.

Look at how Elon Musk commits to his vision for SpaceX and Tesla. Relentless execution means overcoming obstacles, staying focused on your goals, and not getting distracted by setbacks. It’s the determination and persistence in execution that ultimately leads to triumph.

 

7. Play to Your Strengths

Napoleon only fought battles he knew he could win. In business, focus on your strengths and avoid head-to-head fights in areas where you’re weak. Know your advantages and leverage them.

Microsoft leverages its strength in software development and cloud services rather than trying to compete directly in hardware. Understanding and maximizing your strengths ensures you play a game you can win, using your unique capabilities to outshine competitors.

 

8. Plan in Detail

Napoleon planned for every possible scenario. Businesses should do the same—conduct thorough planning and prepare for various outcomes.

Detailed planning helps you stay ready for anything. Scenario planning and SWOT analysis are tools that can help you foresee different futures and prepare accordingly. When you’re prepared for multiple scenarios, you can adapt smoothly and continue to drive forward, no matter what challenges arise.

 

9. Seize Opportunities

Napoleon saw luck as the ability to capitalize on accidents. In business, be prepared and ready to grab unexpected opportunities. Agility is key.

Companies like Uber and Airbnb seized gaps in the market by being ready to pounce on opportunities when they arose. Always be on the lookout for opportunities, and when they come, don’t hesitate. Preparation and readiness to act quickly can turn unexpected moments into major breakthroughs.

 

10. Learn from the Past

Napoleon studied the greats who came before him. Entrepreneurs should always be learning from the successes and failures of others. History is full of lessons waiting to be applied.

Warren Buffett is famous for studying businesses and market histories. By learning from the past, you can avoid repeating mistakes, understand what works, and build on proven strategies. Continuous learning from history helps refine your strategies and improve decision-making.

 

11. Boost Morale

Napoleon knew how to keep his troops motivated. Business leaders should do the same—keep your team inspired and engaged. High morale leads to high productivity.

Companies like Google and Salesforce invest heavily in employee well-being and motivation. When your team feels valued and motivated, they are more productive, innovative, and loyal. High morale fosters a positive work environment where people are excited to contribute and excel.

 

12. Lead with Clarity

Napoleon believed in the power of a strong, decisive leader. In business, clear direction and strong leadership are crucial. Ensure everyone knows the plan and follows it.

Leaders like Jeff Bezos provide a clear vision and direction, ensuring their teams know what they’re working towards. Clear, decisive leadership aligns your team, fosters trust, and drives coordinated efforts towards achieving your business goals.

 

13. Reflect on Failures

Napoleon analyzed both his wins and losses. Businesses should review their successes and failures to keep improving. Learn from mistakes to avoid repeating them.

Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates emphasizes the importance of learning from failure in his book Principles. By conducting post-mortems, you can understand what went wrong, make necessary adjustments, and continuously refine your strategies to avoid future pitfalls and drive success.

 

14. Action-Oriented

Napoleon was all about turning thoughts into actions. In business, decisiveness and execution are vital. Don’t just plan—act on those plans with energy and determination.

Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson embody this principle by constantly moving from ideas to actions. Action orientation ensures that you don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis but instead drive forward, making things happen and turning visions into reality.

 

15. Embrace Hard Work

Napoleon lived and breathed work, saying, “Work is my element; I am born and built for work.”

In business, a strong work ethic and relentless dedication are key to success. Think of how Howard Schultz rebuilt Starbucks through sheer hard work and determination. Embracing hard work means being willing to put in the necessary effort, staying dedicated to your mission, and continuously pushing towards your goals, no matter the challenges.

 

By implementing these lessons from Napoleon, businesses can sharpen their strategies, strengthen leadership, and execute with precision, driving sustained success.

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Startups

How to Manage Your Startup’s Finances More Efficiently

No matter how groundbreaking your product or service, your startup could quickly be on shaky ground without proper financial management

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Running a triumphant startup requires juggling numerous responsibilities. From managing operations and coordinating with team members to developing innovative marketing strategies and nurturing relationships with clients, the to-do list seems endless. (more…)

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5 Strategic Power Moves to Successfully Build Your Empire

Transitioning from idea to empire is a journey of strategic planning, execution, and constant evolution

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how to build your empire

The journey from a fledgling idea to a thriving empire is both exhilarating and daunting. The Startup Launchpad is not just a process but also a strategic framework that enables visionary entrepreneurs to become market leaders. This framework comprises five power moves, each a critical steppingstone in building a successful business.

These moves—Ideation, Business Plan, Online Presence, Strategic Marketing, and Launch and Growth—are the blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements. (more…)

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