The Biggest Business Mistakes to Avoid

By Debbie Allen, All Rights Reserved

Business mistakes and failures can beat up your bank account and your self-esteem at the same time.  Success opportunities are all around you … so make the best of it by avoiding the biggest mistakes many business people make.

Mistake #1: Not Being Honest With Who You Are

Everyone brings their personality into their business. Therefore being aware of who you really are will help you make the right business choices. Poor personal habits such as procrastination or being disorganized will become poor business habits. Unfortunately, we take our personal baggage into our business lives.

To avoid failing, start by understanding your strengths along with your weaknesses. 

Are your goals for the New Year rational, or are they emotional?

Mistake #2: Not Being Organized

Are you running your business or is it running you? If the everyday operation of your business is crisis management or if you never have enough time to learn new skills, something is very wrong. You will not stay in business long if you manage with chaos, confusion or lack of knowledge. Your success is going to hinge on your ability to remain organized, regardless of the financial and emotional pressures your business places on you.

Mistake #3: Not Working Smart

Do you work hard or smart? There are those who work hard, but accomplish little. They are always pressed for time, always busy, always frustrated and ineffective. They confuse hard work with productive work. Working smart is knowing what is important and how to do it most effectively.

Mistake #4: Having Poor Money Skills

I'm not sure why people who have problems managing their own personal checkbooks and personal finances would ever want to go into business for themselves. You can't manage a business well if you can't manage your own life! To survive in business today, you need to understand the fundamentals of money management. If you don't have those skills in place, quickly find a financial advisor or business coach who can help you manage and invest into your business more effectively.

Mistake #5: Not Working Hard

Some less than successful business people simply avoid work as much as possible.  They go into business for themselves because they don’t want to have to work too hard.  They even talk themselves out of working hard with one excuse after the next.  Some believe that if they are an owner or manager that they can simply delegate orders and then sit back and wait for success. I wish to tell you it was that easy and that you could ask other people to do it for you … but it’s not!  Unmotivated, lazy and unfocused business people create less than enthusiastic teams as well.  Others need direction from someone with a work ethic they admire. 

Mistake #6: Failing to Ask for Business

If you don’t feel comfortable promoting yourself – GET OVER IT!  Much of your success will depend on your skills as an effective self-promoter.  How you sell YOU is what matters in business today.  Effective self-promotion is a skill that anyone can learn through practice, positive beliefs and self-motivation.

Mistake #7: Giving Up Too Soon

Not remaining persistent towards your goals for the New Year can kill your business.  Keep going, no matter what obstacles and challenges may arise this year.  Too many business people quit too soon.  Don’t listen to the demons in your head during difficult times. 

What you focus on most, you receive more of.  During difficult times it is important to stay as positive as you can.  Avoid any belief that you will fail.  Big problems broken into small solutions appear differently.  Don’t try and go it alone.  Reach out to others who support your success during hard times.  Have faith in your ability to overcome any obstacle and take it one day at a time. 

Mistake #8 Lacking Action Oriented Skills

Taking ACTION is a business skill that demands a sense of urgency unlike micro-managed processing.  Are you getting ready for action … or are you taking action?  Time is critical in business.  The longer a business owner or manager takes to learn new skills to grow their business the longer losses occur.

Are you taking action to grow your business today?  If not, take a few minutes to see how I can help you grow your business faster at www.debbieallen.com/consulting.

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Bio: Debbie Allen is one of the world’s leading authorities on sales and marketing.  She is the author of five books including Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters and Skyrocketing Sales.  Debbie has helped thousands of people around the world attract customers like crazy with her innovative, no-cost marketing strategies and secrets to sales success.  Her expertise has been featured in Entrepreneur, Selling Power and Sales & Marketing Excellence.  Sign up for her FREE 6-week e-Course Business Success Secrets Revealed ($100 value) and take the online business card quiz to rate you marketing online now at www.DebbieAllen.com.