Have you ever been afraid of something so much that it paralyzed you into inaction?

For me – the answer is yes – 100 times over.

One of those times is when I launched my company a few years ago. I was a new Mom and I had been recently downsized and was given a severance package.

My first instinct was to apply for another 9-5 job, but it’s always been my dream to run my own business and to be my own boss and really, I realized it was only fear that was getting in the way of this happening.

 

After a few short weeks I turned challenge into an opportunity to make my dreams a reality, faces my fears and launch my own business.

I want to share with you 6 lessons (of probably 1000) that I learned in that first year – I hope this helps my fellow entrepreneurs!

#1 FEAR NEVER GOES AWAY

What I learned in my first year of business is that the fear never goes away – whether you’re making a million dollars or a thousand. What you need to do is learn how to embrace it, move past the fear and go for it anyways.

 

#2 LOWS

All businesses will have highs and lows. I’ve learned that when you experiencing a low in your business, you’re just around the corner from a high.

 

#3 MY WHY

I’ve learned that I do this because I want to provide and be a role model for my son, my husband, my friends and family – to teach them that it’s okay to be different, it’s okay to have a dream and go for it, ultimately saying “no” to the fear.

 

#4 THE REALITY OF ENTREPRENEURIALSHIP

It’s not about working in your pajamas or taking days off whenever you feel like it. It’s all about working, and working smart!

 

#5 BEING YOUR OWN BOSS

Being your own boss requires you to check-in every once in awhile and ask yourself if you like how you’re managing yourself. Are you exhausted, overworked and feeling under appreciated? That’s your own fault! Make sure you treat yourself the way you way to be treated!

 

#6 MISTAKES

Mistakes are lessons too – if you treat them like that, adjust and move on, they will not bring you down!

What lessons have you learned as an entrepreneur? Please share them in the comments below!

 

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