5 Essential Steps To Take Before Making The Leap From the Corporate World to Entrepreneur

5 Essential Steps To Take Before Making The Leap From the Corporate World to Entrepreneur

It can be ridiculously incredibly tempting to walk out of that unfulfilling, boring or stressful 9-5 and start pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams when you’re having a particularly bad day.

Especially when you’re overwhelmed with demands that never seem to leave your inbox.

Or when someone spilled coffee all over those important documents AGAIN.

Or when you’re stuck in the office doing overtime when everyone else is out there having fun and you KNOW you’re chained to your desk until late, AGAIN. It’s enough to drive you crazy!

But don’t do it. Not yet.

Don’t quit your corporate job until you’ve worked through the five essential steps I’m about to share with you today. 

Because, as you already know, the path to becoming an entrepreneur isn’t an easy one.

It takes focus. It takes time and dedication. It takes grit to keep pushing through towards your business goals even when it doesn’t seem to be going as planned.

That’s when you can start fulfilling your potential and living your dream. But none of this happens overnight.

Read through the following five steps I’m about to share, and make sure you take action on each one. It’s important.

Step 1. Know your ‘why’

Before you even think about resigning from your job, you first need to think carefully about what motivates you to make this change.

What is your ‘why’?

Your answer to this simple question will guide you towards making the right choices for your business, your happiness and your sense of fulfillment. It will help you tune into that inner ‘gut wisdom’ that can make the difference between entrepreneurial success and failure.

And if you keep your ‘why’ at the very front of your mind, you’ll also be able to make that leap from the safety of the 9-5 with more confidence. You’ll also find it much easier to stay focused on your end goal, even if the going gets tough.

How to find your why

Start by watching this short 5 minute TEDTalk by Simon Sinek[1] , called ‘Start with Why’.

Next, pull out your journal, set the timer on your phone for 20 minutes and start writing about your why. Why do you want to leave your corporate job? Why do you want your business idea (if you already have one), to become a reality?

Your ‘why’ might include one of the following:

• I want to become my own boss

• I want to enjoy more freedom

• I want to spend more time with my kids

• I want to pursue my passions

• I want to work from anywhere you like

• I want to ditch that horrible commute

Once you’ve come up with an answer, I want you to take it a step further and ask yourself again, ‘But why?’

Why do you want more freedom? Why do you want to work from anywhere? What is it that makes you want to make this dream a reality?

Be honest- no one is judging you for your answers!

Then when you’ve outlined your ‘why’, I want you to use it!

Write it down on your vision board or create a big poster carrying these powerful words. Display it over your desk and look at it often. Or even scribble it on a ton of sticky notes and display them all over your home! It all works.

Step 2. Set strong goals

Goals are a vital part of any business, and in my opinion, they’re also a great framework to apply to your entire life.

With goals, you’ll know exactly where you’re heading, instead of just having a vague direction in mind.

You’ll feel like you’re taking back the control over your life, and feel much more confident that you won’t be trapped in the daily grind forever.  The future will look much brighter and sticking with the corporate job for just a tiny bit longer will seem more bearable than it was before.

Use your goals to help you transition from where you are right now to where you want to be. I promise you, it will all be worth it.

How to set effective goals

When you create your goals, make sure you do it in a way that empowers you to push through your fears and move towards where you want to go.

However, it can be quite a balancing act because you don’t ever want to feel overwhelmed, or lost or like you’ve been working far too long to make your dreams happen without making much progress.

That’s why I love the SMART goals framework. If you’ve been in business circles for a while, you’ll know that this is an acronym which we can break down as follows:

• Specific – Get crystal-clear about what you want to achieve. Where exactly would you like to take your business?

• Measurable – Make sure that your goal can be measured so that you know when you’ve achieved it!

• Achievable - Can you actually make this goal happen? Do you have enough time to make it work? How about money? Be honest.

• Relevant - Make sure your goal is pushing you in the direction you want to head. Seems obvious but it can easy to forget.

• Timely - Set a deadline for achieving the goal. Again, be realistic.

Now it’s over to you. What goals could you set yourself for the coming few months, year or even couple of years?

Be specific, really drill down to what is important and make sure they fit within the SMART goals framework.

Step 3. Take action

I know from experience that it’s far too easy to get lost doing background research, especially when you’re not feeling entirely confident in your ability to make your business work. It feels much safer to stay behind your computer, asking questions, trying to suss out the market before you take the leap.

It’s easier to daydream about things like answering your emails in your pyjamas, taking a mid-afternoon break to go to Yoga class, or eating almond butter straight from the jar as you sort through your finances, than actually doing something to make it real.

It’s safer. You don’t have to face any risks.

But please don’t make this mistake.

I’ve seen far too many women give up on some truly fantastic business dreams, simply because they were too scared to take action, or felt like they needed to know it all before they took the leap into their new career, or it just wasn’t ‘the right time’.

The truth is, you’ll never have all the answers.

There’s no such thing as the right time. You’ll never be able to research your fears away, or be 100% sure that you can make your business idea work. There are no guarantees in this entrepreneur life.

There comes a point when you have to place your toes on the edge of that cliff and take that leap. Take action. Make it happen.

Because, what’s the alternative? That you keep struggling through that daily grind for the rest of your life? That you just have to swallow your pride and sacrifice your dreams because you were too scared?

What kind of life do you think you’d live then? What kind of life do you want to live?

I know what my answer would be.

Step 4. Tap into your network

You already have a huge network of people who can help make your entrepreneurial dreams become a reality, I’m pretty certain of it. All you need to do is ask and the magic will happen.

Yes, I know that the thought of reaching out and asking for help like this can be scary. 

What if they think you’re rude for asking for help? What if they laugh in your face?

What if you’re just kidding yourself and you’re not really good enough to make your business idea work?  What if you just make a fool of yourself?

First let me tell you that you’re not alone in feeling like this. No one likes to ask other people for help, especially when they’re first starting out in business. We like to think we already have all the answers, that we know what we’re doing, and we can build our empire alone.

But I’d really encourage you to reach out and contact the people that you believe could help you.

They can provide really useful advice and guidance that can help you get started, they might be able to throw exciting opportunities your way, and they might even be full of ideas that can help drive you in a lucrative new direction. Besides, you’ve already built some kind of a relationship with them, so they’ll be much more willing to go the extra mile to help you out.

So don’t let the threat of rejection put an end to your dreams. Don’t be limited by that little negative voice in your head that tries to sabotage your life. You can do this.

Be brave. Go ask these people.

Step 5. Get a coach

Making changes to your life can be scary, especially when there’s so much at stake. It’s far too easy to get overwhelmed, lose direction, and let those doubts and worries come through to run the show. That’s why I’d highly advise you get yourself a coach if you’re serious about making your dreams become a reality. 

They can help you make sense of where you are in life right now, help you understand yourself better and help you move through challenges like fear and lack of confidence and self belief.

They can also highlight areas that need more work, help you make sense of your business goals and guide you through making the leap from the corporate world to entrepreneurship with more confidence. Contact me if you’d like to hear how I can support you.

So before you make the leap from your 9-5 and start making your business dreams a reality, make sure you do some prep work first.

Outline your ‘why’, set yourself some SMART goals, take action (however small), use your network and don’t forget to find yourself a coach to help you transition more smoothly, without the usual obstacles getting in the way.

About Me

Hey, I'm Tasmin! I'm a Mindset & Business Confidence Coach for new and aspiring female entrepreneurs. I help overcome their fears and ramp up their confidence so that they can escape the corporate drudgery and create a life and business on their terms.

Want to chat about how I can help you? Apply for a Free Session with me here. I'm excited to talk to you :-)

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8 Steps To Becoming A Fearless Entrepreneur (And Step Away From Being A Fearful Employee)

8 Steps To Becoming A Fearless Entrepreneur (And Step Away From Being A Fearful Employee)

You have been working your 9 to 5 for some time now but there’s been an idea growing on your mind lately - running your own business. If you’re still stuck in your job, it means the thing that’s holding you back is probably the fear of not making it. That much dreaded word 'failure' is a huge obstacle.

Entrepreneurship does not come easy. However, having the right plan and taking concrete steps to build up your own business can be rewarding in the long run despite the risks. There is no right time to quit your job and start a job and there never will be. If you want to quit your job and start a business, now is as good a time as any. All you have to do is prepare for it and bite the bullet.

If you want to be your own boss and work for yourself, you cannot just sit around nurturing idly on your ideas. You have to make the hardest step first – getting started. Many people hold themselves back because frankly they don’t even have a clue how or where to start in the first place so they get overwhelmed and give up before they have even started.

Truth is, you have to start with a proper plan in mind and perseverance. If you’re ready to quit delaying and postponing until the time is right (hint: the perfect time  NEVER arrives) then, to get you started, here are some basic steps to point you in the right direction.

1. Research, Research, Research!

The last thing you want to do is jump off a cliff without a safety net. You leave your steady job just to find out the idea you had was not as viable as you thought after all. That's why there are no alternatives to a well-thought out research of your business idea. Ask questions like, does my service solve a problem people are having? Is there heavy competitions in what I want to do? (note heavy competition doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t enter a market and can be an indication that there are plenty of people with a problem that needs solving) What are my strengths and unique selling point? Have these done before? These questions will help you narrow your research down to more granular questions and gives it purpose.

2. Make Sure Your Idea Is Viable

Your idea can be a very good one, addressing and solving real needs of people. But if it can't be produced or delivered to the people successfully, it will most certainly fail. Look into the logistics of how you plan to get this idea to fruition and move on from there.

3. Prepare A Comprehensive Business Plan

You have researched your idea and made sure you can deliver and the produce services. What to do now? Put the information into something tangible for you to follow. An organized business plan is one of the most effective tools to help you make executive decisions about your new startup.

A good idea will only be as successful as the execution and implementation of it. Many ideas have fallen flat on their faces not because the ideas were not good, but rather the execution of it was a pure disaster. A good business plan should discuss all the major aspects and tackle the possible challenges. Starting from the financial aspect to your day to day to operations and also your marketing and promotional strategies, everything should be outlined.

4. Pinpoint Your Sources Of Funding

Look into the ways you plan to acquire funding for your new startup. In the meantime, it’s also a good idea to analyze your own personal finances. Remember you’re planning to quit your job to achieve this. You need to have your personal finances in check and see if you can function through the grind of your startup until it starts to give you a profit. A good benchmark is having either 6 months (optimistic approach) or 12 months (cautious approach salary saved up. You’ll be surprised how quickly those savings can whittle down and growing a business from a place of scarcity is not a good place to be. If you are more risk averse, you can consider starting your business as a side hustle whilst still in your 9-5. This will require strong time management skills and focused work but around your day job but gives you that extra bit of comfort.

5. Sort Out All The Legal Requirements

Make sure you look into all the legal aspects and obligations you and your new business startup has to comply before going into market. The last thing you want is to start up an operation which is giving you healthy profits only to be surprised with a government notice causing a major inconvenience and ruining your flow.

6. Use Your Current Network

Do not think of your current job and the professional network that you have created within as an anchor holding you back from achieving your dreams. Instead, leverage them to create bridges that might help you. Use your already broad list of professional connections to maybe jumpstart your venture. For example, you may know a web developer who can give you a discount when creating your new venture’s website. Use all the resources at hand to their best potential. That’s what successful entrepreneurs do!

7. Prepare To Actually Act Like An Entrepreneur

Modern-day concepts of an entrepreneur have misinformed people of the idea of entrepreneurship pretty badly. Entrepreneurship is not about ordering people around and maybe coming up with an idea and then expecting to make a fortune out of it. It's about hard work to make your dream come to true. Some early entrepreneurs may even have to work harder than their employees to see through every little aspect of the business. Yes, you can achieve that Hollywood portrayal of an entrepreneur life but do not expect the results without putting in the hours and efforts needed behind it.

8. Leave With A Good Relationship With Your Employer

You have made up your mind and ready to take the plunge. All there is to do now is to actually let your current employer know and leaving. But you must do this professionally and the right way. Respectfully let them know you plan to leave and start of your own venture.

You could also wait around and help to find a suitable replacement for your position. You can never be sure when you may need the help of your previous employer with your new venture. And if you leave in an unprofessional manner, you’ll be burning a bridge and losing a possible helping hand. NB. Once your business is picking up steam, propose a term where your new venture and your previous employer can go into a mutually beneficial partnership. It never hurts to give it a go, right?

 If you’re ready to overcome your fears and mindset blocks and create your dream business, then go ahead and join my free Facebook Community for free resources, training and sisterhood and support on your business journey.

About Me

Hey, I'm Tasmin! I'm a Mindset & Business Confidence Coach for new and aspiring female entrepreneurs. I help overcome their fears and ramp up their confidence so that they can escape the corporate drudgery and create a life and business on their terms.

Want to chat about how I can help you? Apply for a Free Session with me here. I'm excited to talk to you :-)

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6 Simple Steps To Make Starting A New Career Easier

6 simple steps to make starting a new career easier

Are you thinking of starting over in your Career? Maybe the career you thought you wanted just doesn't tick your boxes anymore or maybe you are going through an enforced change because of redundancy. Either way, starting over can seem like a massive step. In my latest post for She Owns It, I share 6 Success Tips for Starting Over In Your Career. You can read the full post here. 

If you’re ready to overcome your fears and mindset blocks and create your dream business, then go ahead and join my free Facebook Community for free resources, trainings and sisterhood and support on your business journey.

About Me

Hey, I'm Tasmin! I'm a Mindset & Business Confidence Coach for new and aspiring female entrepreneurs. I help overcome their fears and ramp up their confidence so that they can escape the corporate drudgery and create a life and business on their terms.

Want to chat about how I can help you? Apply for a Free Session with me here. I'm excited to talk to you :-)

Sharing is caring!

What the Pyramids of Egypt Taught Me About Business

What the pyramids of Egypt taught me about business

I've come to realize that travel is a form of self-love. I'm never as energized and alive as when I am traveling to someplace new. Whilst each place I visit leaves an impact on me there are some places that stir me deeply in my soul and deliver profound lessons in both business and life.

For my latest post for She Owns It, I reflected on my recent trip to Egypt and the lessons I learned about Business whilst there. You can read the full post here. 

If you’re ready to overcome your fears and mindset blocks and create your dream business, then go ahead and join my free Facebook Community for free resources, trainings and sisterhood and support on your business journey.

About Me

Hey, I'm Tasmin! I'm a Mindset & Business Confidence Coach for new and aspiring female entrepreneurs. I help overcome their fears and ramp up their confidence so that they can escape the corporate drudgery and create a life and business on their terms.

Want to chat about how I can help you? Apply for a Free Session with me here. I'm excited to talk to you :-)

Sharing is caring!

How to Find the Confidence to Start and Run Your Business Without Fear

How to Find the Confidence to Start and Run Your Business Without Fear

Are you struggling to find the confidence to turn your dream business into a reality? 

Would you love to start your business but are feeling blocked be fears, limiting beliefs and insecurities? 

If you’re ready to overcome your fears and mindset blocks and create your dream business, then go ahead and join my free Facebook Community for free resources, trainings and sisterhood and support on your business journey.

About Me

Hey, I'm Tasmin! I'm a Mindset & Business Confidence Coach for new and aspiring female entrepreneurs. I help overcome their fears and ramp up their confidence so that they can escape the corporate drudgery and create a life and business on their terms.

Want to chat about how I can help you? Apply for a Free Session with me here. I'm excited to talk to you :-)

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3 Mindset Shifts to Make in Your Business for Great Results

🌟3 mindset shifts to make in your business for great results🌟

I know that many women have fears, limiting beliefs and resistance that arise when it comes to promoting themselves, getting visible putting themselves "out there" in the online world.

Even though deep down they know they have a big impact to make and are passionate about what they are doing.

I struggled with this myself when I was starting and launching my business and in fact, I for a while, I hid behind another business that I was running which was product based. Hiding behind the product seemed a safe option.  

It was a way for me to remain nameless and faceless and not have to face rejection but it wasn’t the way to do what my heart’s desire was – which was to create my coaching business.

Here are three mindset shifts I made to change my reality.

I believed it was going to be easy

For a while I made all the excuses under the sun about how hard it was to run a business. There weren’t enough hours in the day, the learning curve was too steep, I was crap at technology. Then all the excuses about why it was hard for me in particular. I wasn’t tall (5ft on a good day and I think I shrink a little when I don’t drink my two litres of water!), or pretty, or thin. I even told myself no-one would buy from me because I was Asian!

Ridiculous right!

It’s when I decided that these excuses were not true and were not serving me and when I believed in my message and my ability to help and serve my clients that things started to change. The excuses had to go. Period.

And so did the “it’s all so hard” script. I monitored all the negative thoughts and replaced them all with empowering ones.

I decided it was going to be easy.

And then strange things started to happen.

People sought ME out, I signed up clients in the park (yes really!), the right mentors came to me at the right time. The Universe responded to what I was putting out there and gave me ease.

I'm not saying that building a business isn't without it's ups and downs but you can totally reframe what you think about it and choosing to go for ease rather than struggle and hardship is a much better option. 

I like to think Jim Rohn's words in this situation "here's my definition of "easy." It was something I could do. I figure that if it's something you can do, it's easy."

How reassuring does that sound already right? 

So, what about you? What are you telling yourself about building your business? What stories do you have running through your mind that aren’t serving you? What do you need to get rid of?

I invested in my business with faith

For a while I tried to do things alone in my business. I was coming from being an employee and it wasn’t natural for me to ask for help. In fact, most times, we were told to just get on with things.

I took the same ethos through to my business.

I thought I could figure things out on my own. I thought if I built a website they would come (they didn’t!). I thought that asking for help was a sign of weakness and I thought I could save the money and make it go further. I was wrong.

Asking for help is a sign of strength. It shows that you are saying yes to yourself. That you’re believing in your dreams, your ability to step up and for the Universe to deliver. It’s a leap of faith.

I also realised there was an energetic mismatch between what I was expecting from my clients and what I was doing myself. After all, how could I expect my clients to invest in THEMSELVES if I wasn’t prepared to invest in myself.

So, If you’re trying to sell high end packages expecting people to invest in you when you’re not prepared to invest in yourself, it’s not going to happen. The energy is too mis-matched. So ask yourself – have I invested in myself fully? If not, how can I change that?

I took responsibility for my own success

The first few coaching sessions I ever had with my mentor, I spent a good portion of them complaining about my lot in life. Making excuse after excuse about why I hadn’t made more progress or done more.

By the time a few sessions passed, I was sick of the sound of my own voice and realised I was wasting precious minutes and hours in the coaching call looking back and wallowing, instead of moving forward.

I decided then that I would take responsibility for my success and quit the excuses.

When the excuses went, the results came. Simple.

What about you?

Where are you making excuses?

Which past stories are you clinging onto that you need to let go of?

Where are you not showing up to your fullest?

What changes will you make today to stop that?

If  you’re ready to overcome your fears and mindset blocks and create your dream business, then go ahead and download the Ultimate Confidence Toolkit and Free Audio Training where I share how you can ramp up your confidence and make the mindset shifts you need to make to bring your dream business into reality.

About Me

Hey, I'm Tasmin! I'm a Mindset & Business Confidence Coach for new and aspiring female entrepreneurs. I help overcome their fears and ramp up their confidence so that they can escape the corporate drudgery and create a life and business on their terms.

Want to chat about how I can help you? Apply for a Free Session with me here. I'm excited to talk to you :-)

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