The 25 Lessons That Took Me Over Six Figures My First Year In Business

I recently celebrated one year of owning my own life and business coaching practice, and surpassed that illusive six-figure mark that most entrepreneurs strive for in their first year. Many of my friends, colleagues and clients have asked me what the secret was and my answer has always been, "There is no secret."
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I recently celebrated one year of owning my own life and business coaching practice, and surpassed that illusive six-figure mark that most entrepreneurs strive for in their first year. Many of my friends, colleagues and clients have asked me what the secret was and my answer has always been, "There is no secret." However, there are many consistent right actions, and tons of lessons learned along the way. As I celebrated 1 year in business in July, I did a lot of reflecting on those lessons and wanted to share them with you.

So without further ado here are the 25 lessons that took me over six figures my first year in business:

  1. Intuition is queen. My intuition has never led me astray. Other people have... be careful which you're listening to.
  2. Nothing makes up for a lack of self-trust. Nothing.
  3. You have to be sold on yourself FIRST.
  4. Magic pills, cookie-cutter systems, and one-size fits all businesses aren't for me and they're definitely not for my clients.
  5. There is no "secret" to success, but if there was... The secret would be to not believe that everyone is hiding a secret from you.
  6. It's ok to be about the money. It's ok to not be about the money.
  7. In fact, it's ok to be about whatever you want to be about.
  8. Give before you expect to receive. As my homeboy Rumi says, "Open your hands if you want to be held." You want engagement? Give it. You want money? Invest it. You want value? Give massive value.
  9. Content is the key, and relationships built off that content open the door.
  10. No visibility = no business
  11. People can't buy if they don't know you're selling.
  12. Selling is a non-negotiable. So is doing it in a way that feels good to you.
  13. Service > Self
  14. Adaptability... in life, business, coaching, and service... is key.
  15. Tracking success creates more of it.
  16. Being grateful for success creates more of it.
  17. Big income months are great. Big impact months are better. Both together are best.
  18. Your clients will be your greatest teachers. Allow them to be and drop the ego shit at the door.
  19. Innovation is good for the soul, and great for business.
  20. Doing this entrepreneurial thing alone is the quickest way to go crazy. Get support. Seriously, it's a non-negotiable.
  21. Not everyone in your life will understand your entrepreneurial journey, but the ones who do? Hold on to them extra tight.
  22. Nothing makes up for a lack of consistency.
  23. Show up daily and your business will grow daily. It's that simple.
  24. You can't just think happy thoughts and take no action. You can't just take all the action and be a Negative Nancy. Both positivity and strategic action are crucial.
  25. Mindset, strategy and execution are the framework on which success that feels GOOD is built

That last part has been a key for me as well as my clients because it doesn't give you a cookie cutter business, but it does give you a framework on which to build a business that feels good to you. If you want a copy of the M.S.E Framework I use with my private clients you can get it here. Please only download it if you're committed to building a business that is unique, that feels good to you, and that lets you create success on your own terms because THAT is what will make you six-figures.

Now I'd love to hear from you. Which of these stuck out for you? What are the biggest lessons you've learned in business? Share with us in the comments!

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