No one will tell you that entrepreneurship is predictable or linear, and neither are these 5 stages of entrepreneurship; rather, they are overlapping and interdependent. Fail to be diligent in one stage, and others will collapse. Be strategic but also adaptable and fluid, like water.

Stage 1: Seed Stage – Planting the Idea

This initial phase is akin to planting a seed; it's where your entrepreneurial journey begins. You're brimming with ideas, exploring opportunities, and conducting extensive research (never skip the research!). This stage demands introspection and market validation. Here, clarity in your values, vision, and mission becomes the cornerstone of your enterprise's foundation. Remember, it's not just about having an idea but understanding its potential and feasibility.

Stage 1 Insight:

“The seed stage is your time to dream big but ground those dreams in reality. Validate your idea, research your market, and assess its viability. This groundwork is crucial!”

Stage 2: Startup Stage – Cultivating Growth

Ah, the startup phase – where the rubber meets the road! This stage involves turning your validated idea into a tangible business. You're developing your product or service, establishing your brand identity, and initiating your market entry. Here, agility and adaptability are paramount. Embrace the inevitable challenges; they're growth opportunities.

Stage 2 Insight:

“Embrace the chaos and crazy of the startup phase. Adaptability and a willingness to pivot will define your success. Remember, things aren't likely to turn out exactly as you once envisioned them. Get used to change now because in our world it never stops!”

Stage 3: Growth Stage – Scaling Up

Congratulations, you've survived the infancy of your business! The growth stage is where your efforts begin to yield results. You're acquiring customers, experiencing increased demand, and fine-tuning your operations. Scaling becomes the buzzword here. Strategic decisions and efficient resource allocation are key. This phase demands a robust infrastructure to accommodate expansion. The Growth Stage is when most of my coaching clients find me because they’re smart enough to realize that you don’t know what you don’t know. There’s so much to learn here about leadership, culture building, systems and processes, delegation, and evolving from the doer to the visionary.

Stage 3 Insight:

“Focus on scalability without compromising quality. Streamline operations, invest in talent, and embrace technology to fuel sustainable growth.”

Stage 4: Expansion Stage – Diversification and Innovation

As your business matures, the expansion stage beckons. Now is the time to diversify your offerings, explore new markets, and innovate relentlessly. You're solidifying your market presence and seeking opportunities beyond your initial niche. It's about staying ahead by adapting to changing market dynamics. You may even consider an acquisition at this stage. Approached right, acquisition is an efficient way to achieve growth!

Stage 4 Insight: 

“Innovation isn't just about products and services; it's about processes and customer experiences too. Embrace calculated risks, and don't fear exploring new horizons!”

Stage 5: Maturity Stage – Sustaining Success

The maturity stage signifies stability and a well-established brand. You've become a market leader, and your focus shifts from rapid growth to maintaining your market position. Strategic partnerships, customer retention, and continuous innovation are vital. However, complacency is the enemy; evolving consumer preferences and trends necessitate ongoing adaptation.

Stage 5 Insight:

 “Stay nimble and alert even at the peak. Keep reinventing and evolving. Remember, what got you here might not keep you here!”

Final Thoughts:

Understanding these five stages isn't just about navigating them sequentially: it's about embracing the dynamism of entrepreneurship. Each phase presents its unique challenges and opportunities so be fluid, rather than linear in your approach.  Embrace failures as lessons, celebrate successes, and remember, your mindset will be your greatest asset throughout this journey. Hire a great coach! Surround yourself with mentors and supportive people. Being an entrepreneur can feel lonely, don't let that be you.

So, are you ready to conquer the entrepreneurial landscape? Contact me to set up your complimentary consultation. Your success story awaits!

The post Navigating the 5 Stages of Entrepreneurship: Your Roadmap to Success appeared first on Marla Tabaka.

Here's why I ask.

We sometimes dislike or become frustrated by aspects of whom we appear to be–or whom we judge ourselves to be–but these qualities aren't always as they appear.

For instance, I've had clients who are very sensitive and empathetic. As a result, they tend to take things personally. They will take on others' problems as their own and procrastinate on essential tasks, either because they worry too much or because they are busy tending to the needs of another.

These sensitive, empathetic qualities can nearly cripple business owners and their business growth when they display as weaknesses. Suppose this individual gets caught up in their fear of being too vulnerable, pleasing everyone, failing, and never being good enough. In that case, they won't take the emotional risks associated with a successful business. That takes a backseat to the fact that they are too busy and exhausted by their emotions to act on these risks.

Another example is the entrepreneur who strives for perfection, so they claim no one can do things right. They pick at every detail to the point of going overboard. Subsequently, this individual engages in self-criticism and frustration because they get nothing of significant value done. The lack of delegation and trust are blinders that keep this entrepreneur from seeing the talents and strengths that others bring to the table.

The flipside to our strengths and weaknesses.

People don't often realize that our weaknesses are often the flip side of our strengths. The very things that hold us back are aspects of a strength that is undervalued or overused. Individuals who are sensitive and empathetic often have the gift of creativity. They can see things that others don't notice. They are curious, so they explore the possibilities missed by others. Creative individuals can diffuse tension and relate well to others. They often make great bosses because of these abilities, and coupled with an innovative mind, they make outstanding entrepreneurs.

Perfectionism, when appearing as a positive quality, allows an individual to pay attention to the smallest detail and see errors and ideas that others won't. They are ambitious and can motivate others. Perfectionists at their best strive to be the best version of themselves and are often envied for their drive and success.

The shadow side of our strengths.

The examples are endless because we all have this “shadow” side of our strengths. When our positive qualities are misdirected or go into overdrive, they shift to the shadow side and become painful and self-defeating.

Imagine a spectrum that is black at one end and white at the other. Our strengths at their best lean toward the white end; our strengths' shadows, or weaknesses, are at the dark end. As you can imagine, many of these personal assets float around somewhere in between the white and black ends of the spectrum, depending on whether we leverage them well or overuse or ignore them.

Understanding this helps us to realize we have choices.

The shadow is not who we are or what defines us. When the shadow takes over, we can flip it around to lean into our strengths and shift our perspective. How do you do that?

Begin by identifying the shadow side of your strengths.

For some, it's easier to identify the flipside of their weaknesses, rather than their strengths. Then try these ideas to nudge your shadows up the spectrum toward being strengths.

Don't hate your shadow.

Your shadow is simply a side of you that you don't see in a helpful, positive light. Resistance, such as frustration or pushing something away, only makes life more challenging. When we allow all aspects of ourselves to be recognized and worked with, we shift from resistance to allowing, which is a much less stressful way of living.

Embrace your strengths!

The shadows that don't serve you have a flip side that makes you an exceptional human being. Focus on those parts of who you are. Journal about what makes you successful (at anything), happy, and healthy.

Celebrate your successes.

We often deny our strengths and make excuses for why we can't be better. Push away the “yeah but” tendencies and celebrate even the most minor success. When I point out a win to some of my clients, they predictably say, “yeah, but (add criticism here). The more you recognize and celebrate, the more you believe in yourself.

Don't let someone steal your internal locus of control.

If you feel happy about a situation, don't let someone else's viewpoint or actions steal your joy. Put your reaction in a box and come back to it later if you must. Your qualities, perseverance, and talents are responsible for your success; no one can take that from you. Don't, for instance, let a reaction from one client affect how you work with the next one. Maintain your confidence.

Live less in the shadow.

When your strengths are in overdrive, and your actions are not productive and helpful, stop to recognize what you're doing. Take a deep breath and ask yourself how to elevate your talent or quality to live in or closer to the white. If you're being overly perfectionistic to the point of generating stress, get real with yourself. What is perfect to you may be flawed to another, so there is no such thing as perfect.

Choose your reactions and actions intentionally.

Make a different choice than being victim to the less productive end of the spectrum (the shadow). When something upsets you, do your best to be optimistic instead of going into an anxious, “what if” response. When the shadow is at work you may get caught up in catastrophizing the situation. Be careful of exaggerating the impact of any problems that arise. Understanding that you can choose your behavior is empowering so put more intention into your thoughts and actions.

B!tch slap anxiety.

Yes, you read that right. Be kind and understanding of feelings like fear and worry. On the flip side, you want to be firm with your anxiety. Anxiety is not a feeling; it's a hard-wired physical reaction to your mind's response to something. Tell your anxiety to take a hike, take a deep breath, and talk to yourself or journal about your concerns and worries. Choose. healthy distraction from your anxiety. Leverage your strengths in every situation.

The post Stuck? In Your Own Way? This Is Important for You to Know appeared first on Marla Tabaka.

Successful entrepreneurs see a direct correlation between the level of their success and the amount of work they've invested into a positive mindset.

Any thriving entrepreneur will tell you that personal development is paramount to success, but one component often gets overlooked in translation. No personal development regiment is complete without the ongoing development of a positive mindset.

Is “mindset” just a buzzword?

The word, mindset, is being used more often, not because it's a fad or phase, but because people are becoming increasingly aware of its importance. New studies in neuroscience continue to produce consistent evidence of the power of a positive mindset.

What exactly is mindset?

You possess a collection of thoughts and beliefs based on your unique life experiences. Some of them benefit you and support the likelihood of success, and many probably don't. These beliefs shape your thought habits and, therefore, your actions. They affect your energy levels and the way you feel in general. Your unique beliefs dictate how you view others, the world, and your future. Mindset is a big deal for everyone, but for entrepreneurs, mindset is everything.

I find that until an entrepreneur develops a positive, healthy, supportive mindset, they will not achieve their ultimate goals in life and business. A negative mindset never leads to success and happiness.

Successful entrepreneurs invest in their mindset.

The founder of the multi-billion-dollar company, Spanx, credits her success to the power of mindset development.

Blakely is not alone; successful entrepreneurs, in general, invest in themselves and habitually observe their thought patterns and related actions.

Build a foundation for a healthy, supportive mindset.

I've identified these 4 opportunities to Bullshift™ into a healthy mindset.

1. Resolve past hurts.

Carrying the burden of anger, resentment, pain, and/or a victim mentality weighs us down emotionally and physically. It depletes our energy and supports negative beliefs about others and the world in general. If you find yourself thinking and talking about life events that hurt you, you are perpetuating the painful effects of the incident. This cycle uses up more energy than you may believe–energy that could be applied to your business and happiness.

It's often difficult to let go of negative memories and the beliefs associated with them, let alone forgive those involved. If you are holding on to something from the past, work with a coach or therapist to resolve it.

2. Think positive thoughts.

Psychologist Rick Hansen, Ph.D., says that “negative events and experiences get quickly stored in memory, in contrast to positive events and experiences. Positive events usually need to be held in your awareness for a dozen (or more) seconds to transfer them from short-term memory buffers to long-term storage.” We have a cognitive bias toward failure and negativity, so it's natural to hold on to negative thoughts. We must put effort into positive thinking.

Positivity is a precursor to success, whereas negative thoughts narrow your mind and push you to hyper-focus on negativity. Positivity broadens your sense of possibility and opens your eyes and mind to the opportunities, ideas, and options that will support your success. This study, published by positive psychology researcher, Barbara Fredrickson, is only one of many that support these findings.

3. Believe in yourself.

Athletes frequently break records once believed to represent the limits of the human body. To achieve this, they must believe in themselves one hundred percent. Can an inventor build something that they do not believe in? No, they must believe in their project and their ability to bring it to fruition.

The practice of visualization is one of the most powerful means to raise your confidence and embed a stronger, more supportive belief system around success. If you spend only 20-seconds to a few minutes a day visualizing and, most importantly, feeling your success, it will make a remarkable difference in your life.

4. Be grateful.

Since it takes more effort to store positive experiences in our long-term memory, it's common for entrepreneurs to focus on what they have not done rather than their achievements. Flip that around by keeping a list of positive accomplishments, large and small. Also, add at least three things a day worthy of your gratitude. Avoid the “ya but” that you may tend to add after thinking or talking about a positive step you've made:

“Today, I crossed three things off my list.” (Feeling grateful.)
“Ya, but four more things got piled on.” (Feeling defeated.)

Celebrate even the most minor wins, and you'll experience many more victories. The benefits related to intentional gratitude are many. Here's a great resource, written by psychotherapist and Psychology Today author Amy Morin.

To Bullshift your way into a positive mindset takes an investment of time, persistence, dedication, and sometimes money. However, the time and effort spent on an empowering mindset offer the best ROI you'll ever experience.

The post 4 Steps to Bullshift Your Way Into a Positive Mindset for Success appeared first on Marla Tabaka.

"If I had a realistic magic wand, what is the biggest change I would make in my life, career, or business?"

The post Are You Thinking Big Enough? Find Out by Asking Yourself This Little Quirky Question appeared first on Marla Tabaka.

You started your business because you had a vision, right? Yet, how often do you spend time feeling excited by your vision? Do you actually visualize the outcome of your hard work, or do you get stuck in the “hard work” mentality, leaving the idea of success lost somewhere in your fantasy of the future? By equipping yourself with mindset-enhancing tools, you will not only measure success differently, but your real-time achievements will become more and more impressive and satisfying.

A recent survey revealed that, among respondents, one in five successful entrepreneurs used vision boards in the business building process. In fact, 91 percent of them attribute their current (strong) financial position to having envisioned a plan to get there. These are smart entrepreneurs!

So, can you do it as well? Of course, you can! Here’s the thing—it’s simple! That’s good and not so good because it’s so simple that people tend to break the habit of visualizing daily or don’t do it at all. It may be difficult for them to believe anything that lacks complexity could be so powerful.

I have a confession to make.

Visualization makes up most of my marketing plan. Yup, you heard me right. Of course, I market, but I visualize more. And here’s a great example of what happens when I do.

Two days ago, I was working with a client to help her grasp the concept of visualization to create strong and positive emotions about success. You see, the level of feeling that goes into your visualization produces the magic. More on that later.

I got so wrapped up in the conversation with my client that I felt the familiar surge of joy that I associate with onboarding a new client. I never focus on the money or any other self-serving aspect of working with a new entrepreneur. I focus all my attention on the joy of knowing that I can help them achieve their dreams and what that means to them. The feelings are powerful and profound.

After our session, I checked my email only to find a consultation request from a new prospect. Smiling at the wonder of it all, I picked up the phone, and he made the time to speak with me on the spot. It was a ten-minute conversation, and he became my next new client.

That is how powerful the visualization process can be. This isn’t voodoo magic. The energy I generated in my client call helped me listen intently, say just the right things (meaningfully, of course), and radiate the energy that helped my soon-to-be client feel the synergy.

What about the vision board?

As you may notice, no vision board was involved in my manifestation experience. Many people don’t know that the pictures on a vision board are only a means to an end. Images are tools to help you tap into feelings like excitement, joy, happiness, and feelings associated with self-empowerment. Once you practice with your vision board on a regular basis, you may be able to achieve a high-level vibration without the support of a board. That’s what happened in my client call.

Now let’s get a touch nerdy about the subject. Ha!

Why do vision boards work?

Your brain is malleable and trainable; it can even rewire itself. This remarkable capacity is referred to as neuroplasticity, and it allows you to train your brain for success. Visualization is one of the most powerful and efficient ways to do this.

The rewiring process harnesses two key components: mirror neurons and neural resonance. Mirror neurons are vital to the learning process and planning of our actions, as well as understanding the intentions behind them. Neural resonance is involved in focus and problem-solving. Visualization can help us to rewire our brains resulting in greater access to ideas, solutions, and motivation.

The selective attention involved during visualization imprints essential things on the part of your brain that filters out unnecessary information and focuses instead on information that's relevant. Your brain becomes laser-focused on your goals and introduces you to what you need to make them happen. This is what we call The Law of Attraction at work. Sometimes it feels like opportunities and abundance come from nowhere, but now you can see the science behind it. However, let’s not negate the fact that good stuff happens all on its own too.

The post Entrepreneurs Who Use Vision Boards are More Likely to Achieve Success appeared first on Marla Tabaka.