Do You Believe In What You  Have To Offer?

There are some things you need to believe in if you want to succeed in life and in business. The list is quite simple really as these are some of the things we take for granted all the time.

Believe in Yourself

“No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

For a very long time I had very little belief in my abilities. I was always looking for someone else to validate whatever I do and when the validation didn’t come, despondence sets in. Somewhere along my journey I woke up to the reality of this Nigerian proverb “people will call whatever you display what you choose to call it”.

In the context of this blog it means people will call you/believe in whatever you choose to call yourself. That proverb struck a chord in me and I decided to step out of that limitation. Starting a business made me realise that I have to believe in myself before people believe in my abilities and my business.  I realised that as I aspire for more, something or someone will always try and point out my inadequacies. Believe that you have the ability to fight and win each and every one of those mind battles. Believe in your strengths, your experiences, your skills, your talent, your knowledge and your passion and take action without looking back.

Believe in Your Offerings

Whether you offer a helping hand, beauty products, computer components, personalised clothing, friendship, counselling, other products or services – you must believe in what you have to offer. If a customer senses your unbelief – it will be very difficult to make a sale. Your branding, sales pitch, website, flyers, marketing channels must tell everyone that your product or service is worth their money.

Do not be apologetic about what you have to offer. If you feel your product or service is not up to the right standard – then make it attain the required standard. Do not offer it at bargain bottom prices or sell yourself cheap because you feel inadequate.  Fight the inadequacies by investing time and effort into perfecting your product or services. Charge what your time, products and services are worth. If they are good enough, your customers will buy them.

If you don’t believe in your product or service, is there any point in offering them? Its okay to charge a small fee if you are testing the market but do not let that be an excuse to sell sub-standard products or services perpetually. Raise your game so you can raise your prices and reputation as your business grows.

Believe in Your Success

Do you believe you are entitled to success? Do you think your hard work should be rewarded? Success is a reward for hard work and it is what you should aim for and nothing less.  If you believe in the success of your concept, then you should put all your effort into making sure it excels.

“Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” Peter Drucker

If you start a business, a hobby or even a career with a defeatist mentality, you should expect nothing to come out of it.  Without you believing in the success of your venture, failure is inevitable.  Success can be quite evasive and that is why a lot of people give up too soon. All you can do is put your hand to work and don’t look back – it will come to you if you do not give up. Keep pushing personal barriers and surpass your own goals until you reach that finish line.

Take Action: Grab a sheet of paper and write down your own personal belief system for success. First one on my list will be God as without Him I just can’t do this on my own, followed by the list above. Once you come up with your list, stick it on your wall so you are reminded of it every day.  Don’t falter and don’t let personal inadequacies rob you of your chance to succeed. Persevere until you successfully achieve your goals.

I wish you good success.

Temi Koleowo

Business First Steps – Tools and Support to help you set up and start a business

Photos courtesy of Arteran, Svilen001 and Cobras sxc.hu.