We all have goals but there are many challenges and obstacles that will slow you down. In this article, I will be covering five things that will slow you down, or can even screw you up.
The last one is essential and you need it.
1. Friends
Not sure about you but I have heard "friendship" and "double-edged sword" associated together many times; I somewhat agree. Here is a thing - it is normal for people to be jealous of others because it is how we as humans are designed to increase our chance of survival - it is part of our biological response.
The harsh truth is that it is hard to find real friends who will support you throughout the ups and downs - especially the ups. It is much easier to show a relatable emotion when a friend feels down than when a friend is succeeding.
When you first start your business, your friends will cheer you on but as you walk further away from your comfort zone, not only the genuine cheers will stop but they will turn into jealously. If you ever notice or feel friends in your network with this attitude, you don't need them. Ditch them and go on your journey alone because I 100% guarantee you that you will meet like-minded people along the way.
2. Listening to everyone
Listening is a very important skill and it will take you a long way but only if you listen to the right people. Unless you have a mentor or someone you are looking up to, to take a similar growth path, listen to people as just their opinions.
In most cases, there is no right answer when it comes to making a business decision because it is limitless. Make sure you are confident with your decision before asking for other's thoughts so you don't change your mind again.
If you are really unsure, I would recommend finding a reputable consultant in the field. Yes, the best ones charge a lot per hour however they can help you get to your goals faster while minimising risk.
3. Habits
Daily habits literally build the future you. If you have bad habits, it is time to get rid of them as soon as possible. If you feel that you have a good daily habit but cannot see the progress, it means you are still in your comfort zone. Then I would suggest trying the following:
Sleep an hour less per day; spend this hour on a task that will get you closer to your ultimate vision.
Add a 10-minute meditation to your day
Automate part of your life to save time; use technology to enhance your life
4. Negativity
"You don't know them so their opinion does not matter. Just ignore it and keep going." is what I tell people when I get asked about a topic. As humans, we always try to seek good things in life but even one simple thing can literally ruin your day.
The more you grow, your network will also increase and it is naturally to attract more haters. Embrace that external hate and doubt exist - these things get worse as you grow bigger. So next time you hear or read a negative remark, the best thing to do is ignore it. You have goals to achieve - you don't have time to waste replying to these jealous bums.
5. Have no vision
At the end of each year, you set goals for the upcoming year, right? However, if you look back on the last five years, can you really say you have grown to another level? Part of my job (at my agency) is helping business owners grow and most of them actually found that they have not grown as much.
Do you know why? It is because they have no vision.
A vision is different to a goal. Putting it simply, your vision should contain what your ideal life will be like. Think of it as a destination on a GPS - you know a final point you want to get to. Goals are milestones that will help you get closer to your vision - like the roads on your GPS - when and where will you be turning left? How far are you until the next petrol station?
If you don't have a vision, you honestly cannot set the right goals because you won't know if the goals you are setting is actually taking you in the direction that you want to take.
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Founder & Editor | Say (Seowon) Song
I run Caramel, a restaurant creative agency with the biggest portfolio in New Zealand, helping restaurants grow by providing creative and technological solutions. In addition, I manage a few restaurants more hands-on.
Instagram: @forkandtruffle
Email: say@caramel.co.nz