5 Thoughts That Are Toxic To Your Business
We are our own biggest advocate and our own worst critic. We are elated when things go right and we are quick to blame ourselves when things don’t. But it’s our day to day thoughts and our inner monologues that really make a difference and if we’re not careful, can be toxic to your business.
I love that quote so much. It really sums everything up. Sure, there are times when we think the whole world is caving in, there are times when we are down and feeling beaten. But these are the times that allow us to grow.
These times are perfectly normal. We aren’t able to be 110% bright and bubbly all the time. But there are some thoughts that are more toxic than others. Ones that aren’t only negative, but will actually do your business more harm than anything else.
1 – “When I achieve (inset crazy high achievement here) I can do (insert activity of self fulfilment here).
Okay, so in real words this statement usually looks something like this:
“When I achieve 20,000 page views per month, then I can start selling my own products.”
Or, “When I earn an extra $2000 from my business, then I can start investing in courses.”
Or “When I have more time, then I can start writing more.”
Or “When I lose a few kilos, then I will get new profile photos taken.”
This is such a self-sabotaging statement. You are telling yourself that you, and your business, aren’t good enough.
Now, let me be clear. This isn’t based on a reward system. This isn’t “Once I achieve this goal, I am going to celebrate by doing this…” That mindset is totally different.
The toxic mindset is one that prevents you from taking the next step. It prevents growth (taking new courses, selling your own products, writing more) and promotes the need for ‘perfection’.
I know this one first hand. I am a perfectionist at heart, I used to think I had to have everything lined up perfectly before I could move onto the next step.
But the reality is – there is no perfect. There is now – there is right now, this moment, today. You need to take it on so you can grow your business!!
2 – “I’m not ready”
This is a more direct version of the statement above. It usually has a set of parameters added to it, and rarely is it only ever one. Again, it falls under the idea of chasing perfection.
But… if not now, then when? When will you be ready? Why not now?
If we waited until we were ready, if we waited until everything fell into place and was perfect, we wouldn’t achieve much at all.
It is from these moments that our business grows. It’s taking the next step, no matter how scary it is. It’s knowing you may not be ready – but chasing your dreams anyway. It’s determination to grow.
3 – “I don’t deserve it, I’m not good enough.”
Ahem… excuse me? Say what now? While this is a thought rarely spoken, it is still fairly common.
It’s a toxic thought that plagues even the most confident of people. It’s so easy to fall into the comparison trap – comparing yourself to others who have been in the business longer or appear to be more successful. Perhaps their startup was different to yours and you’re now questioning whether or not you’re doing things correctly.
Add to that the notion that you believe you don’t deserve success. You don’t work hard enough, you don’t put in enough hours… it’s all just luck.
These thoughts will bring your business down in a big way.
You deserve every happiness and every success. You work hard – and working hard means different things for different people. And that’s okay. You are more than ‘good enough’.
Learning how to have confidence in yourself, and how to ‘sell’ yourself, will pass on to confidence within your business. And confident businesses have the ability to take that next step and grow.
4 – “I don’t have anything unique to offer.”
I was once told that everyone in this world knows something that you don’t and your job in life is to find out what that is. Educate yourself through other people as everyone has something unique to offer.
Including you.
You may run a cafe, and there are 10 other cafes in your town. But no one can offer what you can. No one else can offer your personality, your passion, your drive and your determination.
Find what is uniquely you, whatever that is, and make it shine. It’s what will set you apart from the rest and help you define your business.
5 – “I can’t.”
I’ll never forget my primary school teacher who banned the word ‘can’t’ from our classroom. Isn’t it amazing how these teachers can have such a lasting effect on our lives. I have always had a distaste for the word since then and still, to this day, rarely ever use it. I even teach my two year old not to say that word.
Because it is debilitating. It’s not descriptive, it’s self-limiting.
As soon as you tell yourself that you can’t do something, then you won’t be able to do it. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Stop focusing on the negatives, outsource work you are unable to do yourself and concentrate only on what is possible.
Never allow these toxic thoughts define your business. You have so much amazing positivity to offer – harness it and use it. What’s the most toxic thought you’ve eradicated from your business?
I think you hit the nail on the head with this list!! I am pretty sure I’ve done all of those things… And still do it. But i’m working on changing that! This post was exactly what I needed to get myself in gear. The biggest thing? The “I Can’t” situation. That’s one that I think I should start ridding myself and my little ones on that word. It really is debilitating, isn’t it?
Thanks again for such a thoughtful post!!
I’m so glad this post is resonating with some people and hopefully will help others (and remind myself too) to cut down on those toxic thoughts. I’ve been trialling this technique with the ‘I can’t’ situation lately… instead of saying ‘I Can’t’ I say ‘I Can… but….’ and then say my excuse. Most of the time, saying the excuse out loud sounds silly and then I feel silly for even thinking that isn’t possible… You should give it a go…. 🙂
Do you know me!! 🙂
I just stumbled on your blog and I LOVE this post! Negative self-talk is a really big time and energy waster, not to mention a joy stealer. I used to do #4 a lot, and it held me back for a long time. I think it will be good to come back to this post from time to time to check-in with myself!
This is exactly what I needed today- I’ve had someone reach out asking if I offer a service and I was hesitant to say yes as I was convinced I wasn’t ready, but this post has convinced me I am. Thank you!
Aaahh this made my day! <3 Let me know how you go!!
Thank you so much! I was struggling and I didn’t know why. I just got a boost of motivation after reading this! <3