How to Identify Your Next Level of Entrepreneurial Courage

Courage is an important ingredient we need to have if we want to succeed and excel in business.

Courage is not about not feeling fear. Courage is facing our fears head-on and charging ahead despite the fear.

Being in business requires courage. We get pushed out of our comfort zone. We’ve no doubt already taken bold action and have been courageous. But we can sometimes settle and become complacent once we’ve overcome some hardships.

Today I want to challenge you to take a look at the next level of entrepreneurial courage that you need to take, in order to get to your next level in business.

Sometimes we avoid taking action because we think something is scary and looks almost impossible. But if we break things down into sizeable chunks, we can achieve whatever we want!

During my time working with entrepreneurs, I have identified seven stages of courage that entrepreneurs go through on their business-building journey.

This will help you determine where you are along your journey and what your next courage step is.

Stage Number 1 – Courage to Commit to your Goals

Stage Number One is having the courage to commit to your goals. When you set out a business plan, you need to set goals and have a vision. You need to know why you’re doing what you’re doing and exactly what you want to achieve by your actions.

It takes courage to share your goals with others because then you are really putting yourself out there to potentially be judged! This is a scary thought! Sharing your goals with others requires courage.

Stage Number 2 – Courage to Specify a Niche

Stage Number Two is having the courage to develop a niche. It takes courage to say, ‘I’m going to work with this group of people’ and potentially leave another sector of people out.

Feeling the fear and doing it anyway is important when singling out your niche or micro-niche and sticking to it!

Marketing to your niche doesn’t mean you leave all people out, it means you are targeting primarily your ideal client. You are speaking directly to your niche targeted client. Take the courage to be a subject matter expert for your niche market.

Marketing is about attracting and repelling. Don’t be scared to repel people, as those you repel will not be your ideal client. Your ideal client will be attracted to you. Take the risk to micro-niche!

Stage Number 3 – Courage to Write Your Truth

Writing your truth is a big step in the courage stages. Writing your truth includes putting out a website, finding your buyers or clients on social media, writing your social media posts and writing blogs.

It takes courage to become visible. People will see you. People might judge you. And it’s a risk we all need to take. People procrastinate and create excuses like, ‘I’m not good at technology’ or ‘I’m not a good writer.’

It takes emotion to write. It takes courage to write your truth. Be courageous! The payoff is worth it!

Stage Number 4 – Courage to Go to Your Next Level

So you’ve done your website and blogs, but now it’s time to step up further. If you have become comfortable with writing your truth, now you need to go to the next level and speak your truth on a wider scale.

If you’ve not gotten in front of a camera, then you need to take the next step and get in front of a camera!

If you’re already comfortable in front of a camera, then your next stage of courage is to host a webinar or get out and do a live event, like running a free workshop. There is always a next level of courage awaiting you that you can attain. 

Stage Number 5 – Courage to Include a Call To Action

Believe it or not, including a call to action within your material takes courage. Inviting people to opt-in to a freebie requires courage. Adding a call to action on your video or a link to opt-in takes great courage!

Adding a call to action is like putting your hand out to help someone. It is your offer to nurture and provide value for your future clients. There is a possibility that someone won’t take your offer, but you have at least taken the courage to offer!

Stage Number 6 – Courage to Ask for Payment

Believing you are worth your time and believing someone should pay you for your time takes big courage! It means truly believing you and your time are valuable enough to have someone pay you for them. 

You may have been posting live videos or providing free downloads for potential clients. You’ve been giving your future clients value. It’s now time to bring your client further on the journey with you by asking them to pay you for your time and insight.

Remember people are not just paying you for your one-hour of time, they are also paying for your years of experience, education and training, that have led you to where you are now.

It has cost you to gain your knowledge. It is fair and right for you to ask people to invest in what you have already invested in – your education, experience and knowledge!

Stage Number 7 – Courage to Be Consistent

You’ve achieved all the above stages and you now have a fantastic client base. You’re booked well into the future and you have excellent cash flow. This is fantastic and you deserve your hard work to be rewarded.

This is the time where complacency can kick in. Summoning your courage to be consistent is vital in this season. It takes courage to keep being consistent, courage to continually show up and provide value for your clients. It’s about honouring your client and also honouring yourself.

 

Kat