Boost Your Business Success: The Power of Accountability and Networking
I wanted to reflect this week on who you’re spending time with.
There’s a famous quote by Jim Rohn that says “You're the average of the five people spend the most time with,”
So I wanted to ask, who do you spend your time with? Are they a positive and uplifting influence on you and your business or do they bring you down?
On Tuesday I had an accountability call with two of my business owner friends, we meet monthly and share what we’ve been doing and what we plan to do over the next month.
Its an hour on zoom that could honestly go on for many more hours.
Just touching base with like minded people that understand what having a business is like is so valuable. Working for yourself can be so lonely and often it feels like no-one understands what you are going through.
Especially in a customer facing industry like ours. You need to be ‘on’ the whole time and can’t let the stress of being a business owner show when you’re working.
Whats your support network like?
Whatever you put around yourself, you will be the mirror of it. Surround yourself with things you love.
Marcel Wanders
The people that you surround yourself with are so important to how you feel about yourself and your business.
If you don’t have a strong support system at home in regards to your business, then you MUST make yourself one elsewhere.
By that I mean put yourself around others that can give you the support and encouragement you need.
Find yourself a group of likeminded people, they don’t have to be people you already know.
It could be friends that work in the same industry as you or something completely different. You could connect with people on facebook or linked in.
The key is their attitude. They have to be a positive influence on your life.
Ever heard the phrase ‘unfriend people in real life’? I think this is something that we should all get better at.
If people are bringing you down and make you feel worse after spending time with them, you need to stop giving them your time. Don’t initiate contact and reduce the amount of energy you give them.
It doesn’t need to be hundreds of people (it can work with just one other person), just having to be accountable to another human being is so powerful in making sure you get stuff done.
You’re so much more likely to do something if you’ve told someone you will and then have to report back to them to say you’ve done it.
If you know you’re seeing that person again soon and they’re going to ask you if you did that thing, you will make much more of an effort to get it done.
Another benefit of an accountability group is having other people to celebrate your wins with (and help you through the lows).
You can arrange to meet in person or online on a regular (at least monthly) basis, to discuss your wins, your losses and set goals for the next month.
Read the will it work for you section below for an opportunity to join my exclusive accountability group call.
Could you be arrested for doing what you do?
Other than on Social Media, how many times have you told people about your business this week, or this month for that matter?
I was once asked, if you were stopped by a policeman, could you be arrested for being a business owner?
Let me explain what that means - how many pieces of evidence of your business do you carry around/have on you at any time?
Do you wear branded clothing? Is your car sign-written? Do you carry business cards or have easy access to a QR code taking people to your linktree profile? Do you have promotional flyers in your bag/car?
Or is there no evidence whatsoever that you do what you do?
Think about it, you are a walking advert for your business.
You SHOULD be the best advert for your business!
Who are you talking to?
Yesterday I spent a full day at an EC coaches development day. This was a day of socialising with other coaches and getting valuable tips on working with clients and helping them to grow their business.
Today I am at a business growth event & networking lunch.
Next week I am attending a Entrepreneurs Circle Local meeting on Monday, a BNI business booster on Wednesday and my local Chamber of Commerce meeting on Thursday.
This is a particularly busy couple of weeks networking wise and not necessarily something I would recommend on a weekly basis!
All of these events are an opportunity to share my business with other people who will in turn recommend me when and if the need arises for what I offer - be it Pilates classes or business coaching.
FACT. The more people you talk to about your business the more clients you will get.
Yes of course it matters who the people you talk to are, however you don’t have to be talking to potential clients all the time.
Have you heard the phrase, '‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
Well in this case its totally true.
The person you’re talking to will talk to other people, and you don’t know who they may be connected with, but people like recommending others.
So the more people that know about your business the better.
Join networking groups - have a look on Facebook or Google for groups in your local area to see whats around.
I recently joined a local Mums in Business group. I met several other mums that run businesses in the area, I made a connection with a woman that runs a Menopause & Midlife awareness business and I’ve since booked her to come and run a workshop for my clients.
Will it work for you? Creating an Accountability Group
My steps for success
Have a think about other business owners you know. They don’t have to be in your industry (but it can help if they have an understanding of what you do).
Make sure they are positive and keen to grow. (You don’t want anyone in your group that is going to be complaining the whole time).
Aim for 3-4 people if you can, however having even just one other person that can hold you accountable for your actions is better than none.
Arrange a regular time to catch up, fortnightly or monthly minimum.
At the start of each session/call reflect on what you said you were going to do and if you’ve done it.
Share the wins you’ve had since the last time you met
Make a pledge of the actions you’re going to take before the next session.
As always implementation is the key to success. The aim of these sessions is to get you taking ACTION.
