Being an entrepreneur and having your own business is one of the best opportunities to create your future, express yourself in a free way, and communicate what you believe in and what you stand for.

But it’s not a one way street. How you do business says just as much about you — if not more — as what you say about yourself. You are not your business, yet people are defining you by the way you conduct business.

Consider, what do you want your business to say about you?

Here’s a look at 10 powerful statements you should aspire to and how to let the way you do business reflect them without saying a word.

1. I am desirable

Time is of the essence in business, and most entrepreneurs prefer to build long-lasting business relationships rather than transactional ones. Therefore, strive to attract and create repeat partnerships opposite to one-off transactions. This approach will save you time, energy, and resources. Plus, you become a desirable business partner because you meet the criteria: time, energy, and resources efficient!

2. I am honest

Do what you say you will do. It’s a simple concept that is often overlooked. Make a commitment to deliver what you promise. Yes, it could happen that you are unable to do something you promised given the unexpected is almost, always waiting around the corner. However, be honest and avoid excuses. Be assertive and share how you intend to rectify an issue; and what specific measures you are taking to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

3. I am reliable

Success is a journey and not a one-time event. “If you take random actions, you get random results.” As an entrepreneur, you need to be the leader and the rock of your business. Don’t get lazy and leave the responsibility to others because they will only do as much or as little as they know and see you doing.

4. I am trustworthy

Don’t overdeliver without good reason. It sounds contrary to popular wisdom, but over performing creates an expectation for the future, a precedent you might not be able to meet consistently.

Once you overdeliver, people will see that bonus as an integrated part of your product or service. As soon as you stop over delivering it feels like a loss. Therefore, the extra something you dole out can diminish the perceived value of your offer.

In some cases, offering more than agreed upon (without reason) can create distrust because the recipient might suspect you of have an ulterior motive. 
It is a good business practice to overdeliver on your promise — but the caveat is, “with good reason”. Pay attention how you present your bonus:

• Give a good reason

• Specify if it is one-time bonus and the conditions in which you are offering it

• The bonus shouldn’t be an absolute necessity for your standard offer (e.g., selling a car without wheels and offering them as a bonus)

• State the value of the gift (even though you don’t ask anything in return for it) and set it apart from the value of your standard offer

• Ensure the bonus complements your offer and doesn’t compete with it

When you do these things, you communicate: “I am trustworthy. What I’m offering to you is valuable and deserves the payment I’m asking for it.”

5. I am patient

Why is it important to show others that you are a patient person? This says that you don’t have the desire to get rich fast, but instead you want to build something sustainable long-term? Your patience tells people that you:

• accept them as they are

• are willing to work through issues that might arise

• understand their difficulties or situations

6. I am confident

Learn how to deal with rejection because, in business, there is no room for cry babies. Be confident in yourself and know that you can face anything life throws at you. You have made it through today, you can make it from now on as well.

7. I am flexible

It is hard to get along with rigid and inflexible individuals. Flexibility requires strong communication skills, so learn how to listen. Listen with the intention to learn something new and not to confirm what you already know. Allow yourself space to grow, improve, and expand your horizon. Accept that you don’t know everything and that everything you know is subjected to change with time and circumstance.

8. I am balanced

Life is not only work, nor is it only fun. It is a combination of the two. Prioritize what matters to you. Live with passion, because apart from everything else, life is short and the more your days look alike, the shorter life feels.

9. I am a team player

Don’t do everything by yourself. Learn how to delegate and trust people you chose to have in your life. Even when you are the leader, you still need to be a team player because at the end of the day you are only as successful as your team.

10. I am consistent

Don’t jump from one thing to another, from one business model to another, and from one industry to another. Be consistent. Show people that you are reliable today and you will be reliable tomorrow.

This article has been edited and condensed.


Carmen Jacob is the co-founder of SelfImprovement.org. Also, she is the creator of several personal development guides, courses, and books, which focus on using what you already have to improve your life and the life of those around you. Connect with @thecarmenjacob on Twitter.

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