Mirror, Mirror on the Wall — These Business Mistakes, I’ve Made Them All

My Top 10 Hard-Won Lessons for Lasting Business Success
a guest post by Alice Cunningham

Take this list to nearest mirror, look yourself in the eye, and consider the path to success you are traveling to grow your business. Just a few
meaningful changes can result in a smoother journey and a faster road to success. This I know for sure based on over 30 years of experience in the entrepreneurial trenches.

Mistake #1 - Being Addicted to Being Right

If you’re ultra-competitive, watch for signs that you argue every point to the death — right or wrong. Make a practice of listening to every side of an argument. Owning a business does not make you right about everything. What’s the point in having a staff that agrees with you 100%?

Mistake #2 - Being a Control Freak

You know if you’re a control freak. You can’t delegate, you’re a workaholic, and you are picky about every detail. The ONLY way to grow your business is to find people who are better than you are at every task, let them do it, and manage the results. To grow, you’ll have to find great people and delegate or work 100 hours a week.

Mistake #3 - Having a Captious Personality

Are you quick to point out the trivial faults in other people and never give compliments? If you bask in the negative and focus on pointing out the problems, nip this tendency now. Make a habit of praising the good. Take a trip from animal trainers who reward their subjects for doing the desired behavior. Be lavish with praise and short but to the point with criticism.

Mistake #4 - Blaming Other People

Accept personal accountability in yourself. Insist on it from those who work for you. If you blame your staff, outside forces, competitors, the economy, etc. for all of your woes, you’ll never accomplish what you set out to do. Problems are a normal part of doing business. A business is never going to be perfect. Take the blame and move on.

Mistake #5 - Seeing the Trees and Not the Forest

If you’re mired in the day to day with every detail demanding your attention, step back, dust off that vision, and set bigger goals. See the greater good.

Mistake #6 - Possessing a Careless Tongue

Do you have a careless tongue? Are you prone to gossip and addicted to using sarcasm? If you find that you simply can’t hold back inappropriate comments that are better left unsaid, now’s the time to take stock. Just because you are the owner doesn’t give you a license to say anything about or to your employees, suppliers or staff. Set an example for your staff by holding every confidence to yourself, respecting everyone and treating others as you’d like to be treated. Think of Switzerland. Be neutral.

Mistake #7 - Having a Lack of Balance in Your Life

Entrepreneurs who have a lack of balance in their lives are usually workaholics. You may be addicted to your work and forgoing all of life’s pleasures. Get off that deadend track now. Your business will prosper as you allow yourself to be more of a whole person. Remember this adage: No one ever says on their deathbed that they wish they spent more time at the office. You’ll get your best ideas when you’re away from the day to day. Relax.

Mistake #8 - Expressing Uncontrolled Anger

Do you blow up at your employees? If you have no self-control and often allow your anger to get the better of you, you’ll leave a trail of hurt feelings and animosity in your wake. Take a deep breath. Go walk around the block. Words spoken harshly during a blowup can produce no good results. It will take thousands of words of praise to begin to undo one blast of uncontrolled anger.

Mistake #9 - Taking Yourself Too Seriously

If you’re always turned on, can’t loosen up, and take every little thing seriously, you’re in for trouble. Most people want to be in a workplace filled with humor and respect. Laughing at yourself is actually good for you. Lighten up.

Mistake #10 - Being a Victim of the "Slot Machine" Syndrome?

This is the practice of pulling a handle and wishing that money would fall out of the machine. Because of all the marketing hype about easy ways to succeed, falling for this can be a dangerous and costly habit. The only sure way to success is goal setting, consistent hard work, and patience.

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Alice Cunningham is co-owner of Olympic Hot Tub Company, an award-winning company with 31 years of business success. She speaks often to professional groups about entrepreneurial success. Reach her at alice [at] olympichottub.com or by phone at 206-286-0700. Visit the company’s award-winning website at www.olympichottub.com.

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