Not everyone has what it takes to think and act in a way that will grow a business to multiple six or seven figures. Things like a low-risk tolerance, lack of confidence, and an inability to think beyond their problems keep many entrepreneurs on the hamster wheel of struggle and sweat.

Some of the necessary qualities and skills needed to successfully grow a business can be learned. You must be willing to change and take action. It takes determination, confidence, and commitment, but the intrinsic and tangible rewards are well worth the investment of time and energy.

Million-dollar business owners have a vision with long-term goals in place.

A vision is a dream you aspire to. It consists of three elements:

1. Core values.
2. Core purpose.
3. Visionary goals.

It's best to create your vision statement through soul-searching and an eye to the future, not a few corny sentences that no one identifies with. It is the cornerstone of your company's future, including your plan, strategy, culture, and goals.

Million-dollar business owners plan for challenges and view them as an opportunity.

I work with an entrepreneur who suspected that President Trump would impose tariffs on Chinese imports long before it happened. He left his factory in China and moved production to other countries. The entire transition took just under two years, so it was a costly risk, but he's still in business because of it.

Never make the mistake of thinking things will remain the same because they never do. Your company could become extinct tomorrow, so know your business's vulnerabilities and continue to evolve as conditions change–because they will.

People with million-dollar business potential take responsibility.

Your employees make mistakes, market conditions change, customers quit, and vendors don't deliver on time. None of these scenarios is your fault, but a solid leader takes responsibility and acts to resolve issues immediately, without finger-pointing or blame. They view every problem as an opportunity to improve and develop.

Million-dollar business owners thirst for information and personal growth.

Many of my high 6 and 7-figure clients, and those who will be someday, wake up extra early to read or take in educational and inspirational media. Some add things like meditation, journaling, and physical exercise to the mix. Successful entrepreneurs don't use the “there are only 24-hours in a day” excuse. Mentally downloading useful information is fulfilling and can help you be more focused and productive, which means that 24 hours is plenty.

Successful small business owners take risks.

Savvy businesspeople calculate their risk/reward ratio as a predictor of return on investment. They also engage their intuition or gut feelings when making risky decisions. As you contemplate your next move, allow experience and wisdom to guide you toward your answers rather than acting hastily.

Millionaires wear wings.

Maintaining a bird's eye view of your company, environment, and the future takes a special kind of person. Millionaires are big thinkers and don't get caught up in the day-to-day operations any more than necessary. Keep your eye on your purpose and vision, remain focused on the goals, and imagine yourself donning a beautiful set of wings to keep you out of the weeds.

Big thinkers don't chase bright and shiny objects.

These business owners plan their next moves and stay on track, while less successful entrepreneurs complain they can't remain focused. There are two main reasons for lack of focus: little or no clarity, which causes them to go off-track, and too much involvement in operations. Creative minds need to remain focused but find new ideas fascinating. This fascination can generate tangents that delay or prevent success. This is where your vision, values, and long-term goals play an important role. Before pursuing a new idea, confirm that it fits nicely into your plan and that you're ready for it.

Millionaires respect money.

We all know people who spend money faster than they make it, and most of them are not millionaires. People who possess a millionaire mindset don't spend large amounts of money as it comes in. I've seen entrepreneurs do things like move into expensive offices and purchase luxury cars much too soon, only to end up losing them. I believe in celebrating as growth occurs but avoid being extravagant. Save the big spending for when you have a proven, replicable business model and money in the bank.

You're more likely to become one if you think like a millionaire. To become a successful leader:

1. Change your habits one at a time.
2. Be contemplative and evaluate your actions.
3. Create a plan for personal growth because your mindset determines your level of success.

Successful business owners have coaches and mentors.

Most of my new clients are making money and need the clarity, confidence, and support to build substantial growth. In one recent experience, my client began her coaching experience as a solopreneur with two part-time employees and annual sales of about one-hundred-thousand.  She broke the million-dollar mark in about one year and fourteen months later she is very near four million. She grew her team to fifteen talented people.

In another example, my client had a long-standing dream of authoring a much-needed book addressing her niche, but it was only a dream. Seven months into her coaching experience the book is on its way to the publisher! She is already well-known in her industry with high-profile connections and a powerful social media presence. I have no doubt that she will quickly meet her financial goals.

Success is measured in many different ways but always involves a dream. What's your dream? A great business coach will help you make your dream a reality.

The post Want to Become a Million-Dollar Business Owner? See If You’ve Got What It Takes appeared first on Marla Tabaka.

When clients bring an agenda into every coaching discussion, it is likely to block progress on something even more important. When the ongoing focus remains on a list of questions, updates, and goals, you and your coach won't have the opportunity to tap into your subconscious mind often enough. The REAL problems aren't usually addressed.

In fact, I find that clients who are overly diligent about an agenda are usually avoiding difficult discussions; whether it's a conscious decision or not, this falls into the self-sabotage arena and blocks progress.

So, if coaching isn't strictly about a laundry list of goals and activities, what really matters?

Commitment.

Many people believe that they are committed to the process, and to a successful, happy future, but they block themselves from really diving in. Your coach should call you on it and support you as you learn to open up, allow yourself to be vulnerable, and create sustainable, meaningful change internally, in your business, and in your personal life.

Below are a few things that a great coach measures to identify whether or not his/her client is fully committed and means business. These are things that matter to your coach–and should definitely matter to you!

Commit fully to business coaching sessions, or not at all.

In my old business model, I accepted clients on a month-to-month basis. I found that some of my clients would cancel coaching sessions at the last minute, schedule sessions weeks apart, and delay beginning a new month. These are not the people I want to work with, so I changed my model. Now, I require a 6-month or 1-year commitment payable upfront–and what a difference it's made! 100% of my clients are all in. All of them make amazing progress, and every one of them continues to discover deeper layers within.

Demonstrate to yourself that you are committed to growth and success. Treat your business coaching session like a critical meeting with a client; you would not cancel it because you're too busy or because Johnie forgot his lunch. Also, take your work seriously; if you feel that you don't have the time to work on your goals, then work on that limiting belief with your coach. You must make the time by reorganizing your business and priorities.

Block out distractions during your coaching session and pay attention.

I can always tell when a client has a browser or their email open. You may be the queen or king of multi-tasking, but you're fooling yourself if you believe you're still absorbing your coach's words. I've had clients who had to resort to driving to a park to resist distractions and find some peace and quiet for their sessions. Do whatever it takes.

Be honest and open- be vulnerable.

This is the most important element in an amazing relationship–with yourself and with your business coach. Many entrepreneurs have told me that, since the business is paying for the business coaching sessions, they don't want to talk about themselves. That's crazy! In many ways, YOU are your business. If you are not happy, focused, and whole, the business will fail. Period, end of story.

If you are unable to achieve a well-rounded, open, and honest relationship with your life or business coach, one of two things are most likely at play: either you don't trust your coach, or you don't trust yourself. Talk about your deepest fears and anxieties. An amazing coach is in your life to help you reframe and resolve limiting beliefs–to help you expand your comfort zone and shift your paradigm. An amazing coach will help you to achieve absolute confidence and to believe in yourself. This is the stuff that a life-changing experience is made of!

The post Coaching Sessions: 3 Surprising Things Your Business Coach May Want You To Do appeared first on Marla Tabaka.