Solopreneurs: Are You Looking Left and Right?

I used to be a professional water skier in a former life.  (OK, I will dig up a picture at some point) and when skiing in a lineup, it is important to keep looking straight ahead to keep clean lines and not run into someone.  I always struggled with this.  If I am talking to you I need to look at you.  Have you ever driven with someone who turns their head to talk WHILE driving?  It can be scary.

I see helpingpreneurs do this in business all the time.  They look left and right to see what everyone else is doing.  They seek out approval behind them and catch a peak to see who is ahead so they can go into “catch up” mode.  And just like driving in the car, it makes for a scary situation.  And why are we looking left and right?  Competition.

“Every man in the world is better than someone else and not as good someone else.” Author: William Saroyan

No other business can be like yours.  YOU are what makes your service, product, or program uniquely yours.   There is no competition.  I know that is hard to remember at times, and even I have found myself rushing many times to do what someone else did.  I find that when I catch myself, I realize it is my own insecurity or fear sneaking up and I let it guide me.  When I listen to my intuition, I know that it is just my subconscious playing tricks on me….trying to get me to believe old stories that are not true. 

When I breathe (thank you Life Coach Mary) and recognize what the truth is, I know that looking to the left and right does not serve me.   I can only run my best race, serve my clients, and be in joy when I look straight ahead- that’s my goal line. 

So here are a few pointers to keep you from judging and comparing yourself, so that the BEST you and theAUTHENTIC you is always present.

1. When in doubt, hold your hand up in front of you.  Look at your fingertips.  No one else has those.  Only you.  Remember there is no competition.  There is no comparison.  There is only YOU.  Look straight ahead.

2. Feeling behind?  Stop and take stock.  Can you really be behind in business?  Whose rules are you following?  This is a great time to look at your goals, give your vision board a makeover, or start a treasure map.  This is your business, your life, your mission.  You are only behind if you are doing it someone else’s way.  Look straight ahead.

3. Be grateful. You simply cannot feel competitive, angry, or envious if you are in a state of gratefulness.  I just grab a sheet of paper and go- set a time for 10 minutes and write gratefuls until the time is up and it simply changes your entire perspective.  Look straight ahead.

You can’t help more people looking left and right.  Stay on purpose- look ahead and keep changing the world!

(c) 2009 Suzanne Evans

About the author:  Suzanne Evans is best known as the ‘action expert’ and has coached hundreds of solopreneurs to model her multiple six figure business. Learn how you can help more people, make more money and have more fun doing what you love by signing up for your free copy of the 5-Part Mini-Course ‘Awakening Your Authentic Entrepreneur’ at http://www.helpmorepeople.com