20 Business Lessons I've Learned in the past 8 Years

I’ve owned a business since my 30th birthday. That will be 8 years ago next Thursday November the 19th. Between my brick and mortar Yoga Studio I founded and owned for 5 years and this business Yoke and Abundance, the lessons and the tremendous personal growth almost feels innumerable. Here are the top 20 lessons that have stood out to me most so far.

1) Imperfect action is the only perfect action.

2) If I always wait for the time to be right, I’d be waiting forever on everything.  There is no such thing as the right time. 

3) If I was waiting to learn everything I needed to know to be the best coach before I began, I never would have started coaching.  I’ve learned more about coaching through coaching then I could have ever learned through a course.  Yes, I’ve continued to learn, educate myself, and grow as I’ve gone, I’ll keep doing that but start before you’re ready.  We never feel ready.   

4) You learn by doing, so get up every work day and do the damn thing.

5) If I waited to make sure my grammar and spelling was right on anything I produce you’d never, ever, have anything from me (you can find spelling and grammar errors in everything I’ve produced not even kidding, my brain works differently than most of the general population, it’s embarrassing, I don’t let that stop me).  Do you respect me less for it?  I doubt it, but if you do that’s your hang up not mine.  I’d rather produce than wait for a perfect that I’ll never be able to achieve alone.  Someday I’ll be able to hire an editor, but I imagine even editors make mistakes too.  

6) There is no such thing as a perfect plan and often once you start working the plan, it typically has to change anyway. Write a loose plan, work the plan and adjust as necessary.  Spending too much time on the plan is a waste of time.

7) Take yourself seriously but don’t forget to be silly. Fun is under appreciated.

8) Failure is the only way to success. Don’t be afraid to try and fail, it means you’re a step closer to what you want.   

9) It is critical to surround yourself with people who understand your vision, believe in you and what you’re doing and will encourage you when you feel down.  

10) A group of professionals (who might also be your friends) that you can bounces ideas and brainstorm things with is not just helpful it is critical.  My Girl Gang pushes me forward and isn’t afraid to tell me an idea isn’t going to work or doesn’t fit with my mission and vision.  You’re better together.

11) You won’t always feel inspired to do the work you’ve been called to do, even when you love it, professionals keep doing the work anyway. If you want to be a professional, put your head down and keep working.

12) It’s helpful to remember that even when you love your work, you are NOT your work.  

13) You will always be too young, or too old, do it anyway

14) We all need to take breaks, rest is critical.

15) Create a schedule that works for you. If a daily afternoon nap feels right to you don’t beat yourself up over it if it actually contributes to your well being and productivity. What works for others isn’t always going to work for you and what works for you isn’t always going to work for others. Trust your process, work your plan, keep refining.

16) A baby step in the right direction every day is better than a single giant leap.  Don’t underestimate the effect that small accumulated actions will have when done consistently.   

17) Nothing ever happens all at once.  There is no such thing as an overnight success. Most people won’t see all of the sweat equity you’re putting in, the long sleepless nights when anxiety is taking over about what you’re building or how slow if feels like it’s going.  It doesn’t matter if people see what you’re doing, or understand what you’re doing as long as it aligns with your vision, your mission, your core values, your why and you’re seeing results. Do what it takes to get the job done, ignore the noise.

18) It often feels like you are yelling into a void.  If you have a strong why this will sustain you when you feel like you’re in the desert. Most people aren’t paying any attention to you and that’s ok, but the people who are listening are the ones that matter, it doesn’t matter how many as long as what you’re doing moves even one person.

19) It’s not your client’s job to pay attention.  It’s your job to create content that’s worth paying attention to.  Keep trying, keep being creative.

20) Creating a business is personal, it’s a labor of love.  Don’t let anyone tell you business isn’t personal, that’s a load of crap, it’s always personal if it’s important to you.

If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur what would you add to this?