Ways to Achieve the Business or Career Growth You Are Aiming at

Entrepreneurs who have been running their businesses successfully will unanimously agree that they are very much aware of their strong points as well as weaknesses. They also know that they have to keep doing the work that matters to them. Another point they are aware of is that their outlook has impacted their success.

As an entrepreneur, the day on which your earnings cross what you had been earning out of your employment, may be a golden day. But according to experts, there are a few habits you can adopt for achieving a better growth in your business. Let us have a look.

1. Adhere to the principle of "20 Mile March" every day

Jim Collins has authored a book entitled 'Great By Choice' and it is in this book he has come out with the concept known as the "20 Mile March." This concept largely deals with consistency in making efforts. In other words, you should take consistent action if you want to achieve the business growth you are aiming at. In fact, it is not a good idea that can bring success in a business. Instead, resilience and consistent efforts alone can fetch success. Even if you decide to take small steps, you should take them on a consistent basis. 

This rule applies even if you are an employee. If you want to have the career growth you wish for, you should take consistent steps DAILY to improve yourself. Unfortunately, many people lament that they do not have time because they have to commute to their workplace, they have family responsibilities and so on. The best course that is suggested to such people is that they can squeeze brief durations. Even the briefest of durations like 5 minutes, 10 minutes or 20 minutes can bring about remarkable improvement in their knowledge and efficiency levels.

2. Inspire yourself regularly

Keep inspiring yourself regularly so you never lose your focus. Regular inspiration will always keep you on your track. Since you are an entrepreneur, you may suddenly be staring at uncertain situations. Regular inspiration alone can keep you energized to face and overcome such situations.

3. Learn to say "No"

If you analyze the way you are spending your time, you may find that you are unnecessarily spending this precious resource on unimportant things. So, you should learn to say "No" to those things and people because of which and whom you may be squandering your time.

4. Start somewhere

You may be very good at planning. But keeping on planning will never get you success. Therefore, just make the beginning. You can effect corrections, if needed, along your way. But making a beginning may not be easy if you have a perfectionist attitude. You should therefore jettison this attitude for achieving business or career success. Realize that there can never be a "perfect situation" in life. So, you can never do perfect planning. 

5. Hire the right people to help you

You cannot do everything yourself and as the saying goes, "no one can walk alone always." So, hire the right people and delegate your work. You should share your responsibilities and at the same time, delegate authority also. By doing so, you will be grooming future leaders.

If you develop these habits, you are certain to achieve the business or career growth you desire to have.

Barriers that may Hinder Your Career Growth

When children are asked what they will like to become when they grow up, they may come up with various types of answers. But they may not be aware nor do they anticipate barriers that may hinder their ambitions. There are many types of barriers for career growth and these include those that are caused due to family situations, biases and so on.  

The following are the general barriers that may hinder career growth.

1. A fixed and inflexible mindset

According to experts, an inflexible and fixed mindset can be a great hindrance to career growth. This means you must have a growth mindset if you want to climb your career ladder. An inflexible or fixed mindset may make you think that you have enough talents and knowledge. On the other hand, if you have a growth mindset, you will think that there is always a scope for improvement. This means you will always keep striving to enhance your skill and knowledge levels. 

2. Financial barriers

If you have bills to pay, debts to clear, etc. and if you keep focusing on them, you may never grow in your career. Instead, you should shift your focus towards growth, whatever may be your financial situation. Focusing on earning for paying your bills, etc., may not allow you to take risks that may give a big boost to your career growth. For example, you may want to start a business, may like to change jobs or may look for a career change. These are certainly risks but when you focus on your mortgage or payment of bills, you may be afraid of taking these risks. If you are not ready to take any risks, where is the question of growing in your career and in life?

3. Importance of setting smart goals

Setting smart goals is important. This means you should set achievable goals and follow them with a lot of passion. SMART means "specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound." The goal you set should fulfill these conditions.

4. Fearing failure and success

Many people fear failure and do not take the required steps for growing in their career. Surprisingly, there are many people who fear success also. In fact, fear of failure and fear of success are very much linked. People think that others will ridicule them if they fail. A few others think that others will get jealous and desert them if they succeed. But these fears are unfounded. Not only that, those who have these fears can not lead extraordinary lives even if they have such dreams.

5. Work-Life balance

It is true that you will have responsibilities towards your family. But allowing these responsibilities to hinder your career growth is wrong. If you are passionate about your goals, you must learn to balance your work life and family life. 

6. Sticking to your childhood dream may be a barrier by itself

If you suddenly remember your childhood dream that you have already forgotten, that itself may act as a barrier. The problem is things are changing so fast that your childhood dream may not be suitable in your present circumstances. So, you should adopt a flexible approach and change your dream according to the your current situation.