Don’t be afraid to make big decisions. 

This is something I learned recently. I have been dreaming about starting a business for a couple of years now. 

Transitioning from a university to a job can be very stressful. Exciting, yes, but stressful nonetheless. For me, it was always unacceptable to accept a 9 – 5 job. I am an adventurer at heart, easily bored of the routine. I knew I was never going to be happy with a regular office job. My only regret is that it took me so long to get into the right mindset and start chasing my goals. 

Even if you are not fresh from university, if you are a 20-something, or 30-something-year-old, stuck on a job you are not completely passionate about but feel the pressure of time passing by and not doing anything about your dream, this is a post you should read.

Who am I and why am I telling you this? 

My name is Mia. I am an aspiring digital creative, a passionate writer, an entrepreneur who is only just beginning to establish myself in this busy, competitive, ever-evolving online environment. But the point is – I am here. I am trying. I am doing.

Find what is holding you back

I come from a very small town in the northern part of Croatia, a place where such dreams seem so big they are not even a part of the reality. It was up to me to make them a reality. 

And it is up to you to make your dreams a reality. 

Do you have a passion for something? A huge motivation and enthusiasm to do it? Well, good news – you already have everything you need. 

The persistence to start a business didn’t come to me overnight. It took me years to finally figure out what was keeping me from doing it. It was fear. Steven Pressfield wrote in his book “The War of Art” – resistance to doing what you want to do uses fear of rejection to paralyze us and prevent us from doing our work. I have learned that the more you care about your project and doing it well, the more likely you are to procrastinate. 

Identify what it is that’s holding you back and decide to fight it.

Stay focused on your goals

Starting a business is not an easy task. The road will be bumpy, but if you can stay focused, it’s not impossible. I’m not saying shut the door to the world. Time spent in a positive environment such as surrounded with your friends or family, out hiking, painting or whatever it is that drives your creativity is just as important as doing the work. 

Why is it important to establish your goals?

It is very simple. Goals help you visualise where you want to go. they help you organize your thoughts. But most importantly, establishing your goals, making them ‘real’ is proven to help you follow through. 

So, sit down, pick up a pen and start writing your goals down. Think about what you want and then figure out what you need to make that happen. Take a picture of your goals and set it as a wallpaper on your phone. Or on your desktop. Write them on a whiteboard in your office. Stick a couple of post-its around your home. Do whatever you need to do to remind yourself of your goals every day. 

Start today.

Get ahead of yourself – Learn every day

My personal favourite. 

Choose a time of day (every day) to read. 

Or listen to podcasts. Or watch videos. Or Ted talks. 

Possibilities are endless, but I don’t have to tell you how important it is to further your knowledge, especially if you want to run a successful business.

Accountability

To tell you the truth, my perseverance came with a little bit of luck. My best friend and I have always been in sync. Since middle school, we’ve had similar goals. We’ve always kept each other on the right path through all the years of middle school, then high school, most recently the university, and now – starting a business. 

Even though we are on the opposite parts of Europe, we keep each other focused, productive and on the right track by being each other’s accountabilibuddy. 

What is that, Mia?

I’m glad you asked!

Accountabilibuddy is a person who keeps you responsible for your actions. They can help you alter any goal you’re working on. They can keep you from procrastinating. 

Accountabilibuddy won’t let you give up on your dreams. The interesting part is that you don’t have to ask your friends to do this for you. There are apps and sites where you can find people in the same boat as you – looking for someone to help them stick to their guns. 

Thank you for sticking through this long post. If you want to read more from me, visit loyal-tree.co.uk and subscribe to my newsletter. I promise, no spam 🙂

And remember…

Don’t give up!

By Mia Zgorelec

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