Step two is all about behaving like an expert in your field.
This means owning your expertise, developing success habits, and building outrageous confidence.
Once you have decided on your message and know your ideal client and the solution you offer, you can confidently declare, “I work exclusively with…” or “I specialize in…” and repeat this message consistently anywhere and everywhere.
It’s time to toot your own horn and connect your mind and beliefs with external evidence of your knowledge.
You can demonstrate your expertise by adding value when appropriate so that others point to you and label you as the expert, the go-to person. Believe in yourself and fully own your expertise.
To become successful, it’s important to develop habits that align with who you are. While many successful people wake up at 4:30 am, that may not work for everyone. You should find what works best for you.
For instance, if your perfect morning is to wake up at 6:30 or 7 am, take time for self-care, exercise, meditate, journal, and drink a green smoothie before getting into your office by 9 am, then that’s what you should do.
By developing habits that work for you, you can get more done and feel more energized.
Step two in becoming a successful entrepreneur is to develop seven basic success habits:
- Self-care
- Time management
- Networking
- Lifetime learning
- Goal setting
- Consistency
- Progress tracking
There are numerous habits that fall under each category, so it’s essential to find those that align with your personality and goals.
Self-care involves taking care of your physical and mental health through activities such as healthy eating, exercise, meditation, reading, journaling, or massages.
Time management goes beyond creating a schedule; it also means setting boundaries and sticking to them. Do not let clients dictate your schedule; instead, create a schedule that works for you and your ideal clients. Remember to prioritize your self-care and use a timer when checking emails or social media to manage your time effectively.
Networking is crucial to building relationships and expanding your reach. Set a habit of reaching out to five people each week, whether in-person or through virtual coffee meetings.
Lifetime learning involves developing a habit of learning something new every day. You can watch videos, complete lessons, listen to podcasts or read books to learn. Act on what you’ve learned, so you retain the information better.
Goal setting is critical to success. Whether it’s through SMART goals or focusing on one significant task each day, prioritize your most important tasks first. Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and Brian Tracy’s “Eat That Frog” are excellent resources to learn more about this concept.
Consistency is key to forming new habits. Establish systems that make it easier to stay consistent, such as hiring help or using reminders. Choose no more than three new habits to work on at a time to avoid overwhelming and set yourself up for success.
Tracking progress is essential to identifying weaknesses and course-correcting. Use systems to track your results and create new habits by stacking them on top of an already established habit or using timers as reminders. By implementing these seven basic success habits, you can become a successful entrepreneur.
Stephen Covey On Getting Those Big Rocks Out Of Your Way
In the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey teaches you to get your big rocks out of the way first.
The video above is a quick four-minute synopsis explained by the late Stephen Covey himself.
Third, cultivate unwavering confidence.
It’s important to understand that confidence is not a destination, but a way of being.
Waiting for confidence before acting can lead to inaction and a lack of accomplishment.
Confidence comes from taking action repeatedly, even when it’s uncomfortable or challenging.
In my view, confidence means being willing to act on something that you’ve never done before, or that makes you feel uneasy.
Outrageous confidence, on the other hand, involves taking bold action that is striking, unique, and daring.
This can mean sharing a personal story that you’ve never shared before, letting people see your quirks, expressing a controversial viewpoint, or just being silly.
When you embrace outrageous confidence, you give yourself permission to show your true self to the world, which can make you stand out from the crowd and inspire trust in others.
To establish yourself as an expert, it’s crucial to step out of your comfort zone and own your knowledge.
Believe in yourself and the value that you bring to the table, and don’t be afraid to share your expertise with others. It’s equally important to be vulnerable and show your human side, as this can build trust with your audience.
Today’s assignment, if you choose to accept it (and you should), is to:
- List at least five ways in which you can own your expertise.
- Choose one to three new success habits to develop and focus on mastering them before moving on to additional habits.
- Take action on something that you’re afraid to do, and embrace the discomfort that comes with it.
Next Up: Step 3
So, you’ve made your decision. You know what type of expert you’ll become, and you know how to best become that expert. Now, it’s time to get in the digital real estate game!
