Us entrepreneurs are referred to as: go-getters, risk-takers, problem-solvers, challengers to the status quo, leaders, learners, hard-workers, speculators, warriors of industry…

Sounds fun, right?  Who wouldn’t want to be an entrepreneur?

Yet there is one underlying behavioural characteristic the majority of us all face: Fear.

At the weekend, I read that just one third of entrepreneurs think their chance of failing is Zero.

It prompted me to re-visit one of our many Scale Surveys and read that 70% business owners just like you, cited “failure” and “losing it all” as their biggest fears.

Now, take a moment to consider what your life might be like if you conquered some of your greatest fears.

What would you do differently? 

So, this week I want to share my Five Simple Steps on how to help overcome these and seize the day – simply by asking your business the right questions:

Step 1 – Define your processes

In order to grow efficiently and scale your business, you must work out exactly what makes your business work and document the method.

You need clearly defined process that logs all issues (however big or small), and solves them.

By noting these down, you can focus on striking them off, learning from each one, improving on it, and removing any barriers to growth.

Step 2 – Set accountability

You now need to identify the person(s) accountable for each process and solving each issue.

Everything and everyone who needs to be involved must fully understand their role and the overall goal.

Step 3 – Set the questions you want to ask your business and put measures in place

It pays to have a way to track progress against your defined processes and alert you to potential problems well before the alarms go off.

To achieve this, you must follow the next step…

Step 4 – Create the right environment, give the tools, get out of the way 

If you don’t set the right environment and culture, then every decision you make will be an emotional one, based on short-sighted information at hand, at best.

Those businesses we work with who have done this, are constantly learning, refining achieving more success because their teams have the will and the attitude to give and receive constructive feedback. In some ways, they even celebrate mistakes!

Step 5 – Get into a routine

Now you have set the right environment, you’re asking your business the right questions and you’ve got systems and processes in place, you need to embed a routine into your business.

By having regular, structured meetings to capture, review and tick off issues, allows you to constantly learn from your business.  It’s important to remember that these meetings are problem-solving meetings.

It’s our experience that by following these simple steps, you’ll avoid overwhelm, anxiety, frustration and running around like a headless chicken in a panic reacting to ‘surprises’.

So, get all entrepreneurial and do what you do best – start acting and make a change today!