My business success is built on leveraging free tools and teaching people how to use them. I did this for myself. I did not pay attention to what anyone else was doing. It was my own work.
My commitment to success has long since paid off. I rarely think about those who doubted my long hours working on websites teaching myself algorithms. I cannot remember the frowns behind me, only the testimonials of my community and clients that propelled me forward.
There are several variables I’ve found helpful to sustain growth and diversify my business. The simple completion of projects, repetition of success and accountability are benchmarks of my success. Here is how they can be applied to your business.
1. Finish what you start
With so many projects in the pipeline, it’s easy to put completion on the back burner. Think about one goal. Then perform action steps over a period of time to attain that goal. Celebrate the achievement your goal and move on. A digital mindset has so many moving parts that this linear framework may not come naturally, but it too can have a beginning, middle and end.
2. Create behavior patterns
Do not be a one-hit wonder. Develop models of behavior and creative ways to solve problems; and watch greatness unfold. When you have achieved greatness, recreate it. As your skill set evolves and you can handle larger clients or orders, the challenge becomes a matter of increasing demand. Overcome the fear of failure by creating behavior patterns and do the exact things that scare you. Conquer the fear and pattern that behavior.
3. Lead with aptitude
Lead by example. Division of labor is a largely understood mechanism of human existence. Since the beginning of time we have had hunters and gatherers. Everyone has a natural aptitude. Leaders emerge and it is up to you to become a leader or to become another member or contributor in your team. People will follow you if you have the knowledge and assert authority with the highest aptitude for the subject.
4. Define culture and core values
In my transition from a digital nomad to team leader, I learned the value of company culture and establishment of core values. As a soloprenuer, the buck stopped with me. Success was entirely dependent on my input, but I was stifled. In order to grow, I needed to trust others and empower them to be accountable for their actions within the team.
You are your company culture. You have to lead by example. When the core values are adhered to and the company culture is in tact, nothing can stop growth.
5. Control your time
In the beginning of my speaking career, I’d respond to every email and phone call. This created an imbalance in my business. Ultimately, it inspired my online schools and seminars. I could not physically or mentally meet my audiences need and had to put a price and value to my time.
If you still micromanage and account for all parts, you are not valuing your time. If you don’t value your time, you don’t value yourself and are not yet ready to make the transition to team leader. Your minutes, your time and your life are non-refundable. Value every minute and second. Guard your time and these minutes as fiercely as your bottom line.
6. Bonus: Create a compelling narrative
Where there is a need for a service, there is going to be a service. There will always be competition, however there is only one of you. Your story, your narrative, is unique to you. How you came to your business model, who you admire, your mentors, your successes, your failures, your past and your future are unique and that is your competitive edge. Tell your narrative in a compelling way that connects to your customer and provide the service they need, and you will have a client for life.
This article has been edited.
Matthew Capala is the Founder of SearchDecoder SEO Training Institute, CEO of Alphametic, international speaker and author. The full version of this article originally appeared on SearchDecoder.com. Connect with @SearchDecoder on Twitter.
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