Harnessing the Power of Your Inner Circle

In the tumultuous journey of entrepreneurship, there are moments when the path to success feels uncertain, even daunting. Navigating the path to success can often feel like a solitary endeavor.  Behind every thriving business lies a handful of individuals who play a pivotal role in its (and your) growth and development. 

For service-based business owners striving to reach the coveted million and multi-million dollar mark, the undeniable power of surrounding yourself with the right people cannot be overstated. I was personally reminded of this just last month…I’ll share more on this in just a bit.

Your inner circle should be comprised of individuals who not only support your vision, they also challenge you to keep going and in some cases to go after new  heights. These are the individuals who will guide you with their wisdom, hold you accountable to your goals, and cheer you on through both triumphs and setbacks.

Accountability is the cornerstone of progress. When you surround yourself with individuals who are committed to your success, you are more likely to stay focused and disciplined in your pursuits. Whether it's a mentor, coach, or peer mastermind group, having someone to answer to can be a powerful motivator to keep pushing forward, even when faced with obstacles.

At the core of your inner circle are individuals who remind you of your why—your values, your purpose, and the legacy you wish to leave behind. In the hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. However, by surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your values, you can stay grounded and aligned with your vision.

Moreover, the right people in your inner circle are not afraid to speak the truth, even when it's uncomfortable. They are not there to simply echo your sentiments but to offer honest feedback and constructive criticism. It is through these candid conversations that you can gain invaluable insights and course-correct when necessary.

This is where my personal story comes in. I’m fortunate, my boyfriend is a businessman - a serial entrepreneur himself. Having started, built and sold businesses and then started and built new ones, he knows quite a lot about business and the value of a growth mindset. Our conversations are super fun, and we’ve learned to be careful in how we allow the lines of love and business to blur or not to blur. 😉 

Over the past year we’ve had a number of conversations on the power of words - this is something I’m incredibly passionate about as I’ve experienced the incredible shifts in my clients when they learn to let go of their fixed mindset and embrace a growth one.

And yet, in one particular area of my business, I was not seeing how I was continually talking about it from a fixed mindset. (Yes, even business coaches and consultants have their own blind spots - which is why I also invest in my own mentors). 

So which area of business was I having this blind spot you may be wondering - marketing. You see, while I have a degree in marketing - let’s face it, my degree was secured before I even owned my first computer. 😜 Yes, I graduated a few years before the frenzied Y2K era. Back to the point, for several weeks - more like a couple of months - I’ve been talking to myself and him about how "I’m not good at marketing”. 

To no surprise, I’ve been stuck around my marketing and ultimately had become the bottleneck.

Well last month, he proved he’s not just a great boyfriend, he’s a valuable member of my inner circle. He even used my own words to remind me that it was time to “reframe” my words - meaning reframe my sentence to be in alignment with what I’m wanting to create (as opposed to repelling it ). 

I was grateful he said it, and that I was smart enough to pause, listen and actually allow myself to hear it. I’ll admit, while I didn’t want to hear it in the moment, I knew he was absolutely right.

Time to uncork my own bottleneck and get unstuck.

The right people in your inner circle refuse to let you become complacent or stuck. They won't hesitate to provide honest feedback, even when it's tough to hear. They'll offer constructive criticism with your best interests at heart, helping you to see blind spots, bottlenecks and areas for improvement. They challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone, push your limits, and strive for continuous improvement. 

At the same time, they'll cheer you on and celebrate your wins, offering unwavering support during both the highs and lows. In their presence, mediocrity is not an option, and tolerating, aka settling for less than your best is simply unacceptable. The benefit is personal and professional growth, as well as a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

Choose your inner circle wisely, and be ready for your business - and your dreams -  to thrive beyond your wildest expectations.

~ Dana Earhart, Your Business Growth Strategist

Ready to explore if I'm the best next addition to your inner circle...Let's connect over coffee (or a protein shake, or green smoothie)