“What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Are you prepared to become an entrepreneur? Do you naturally have the chops to deal with business or do you need to learn that process. Many singers dream of having a career, but forget to figure in the skills necessary to run a business. And not everyone is cut out for this line of work. However, it can be learned and mastered if you have the tenacity to stick with it. It is not however, for the faint of heart. Here are some of the traits most successful entrepreneurs tend to share no matter what business they are in.
Discipline – #1 on my list. Taking care of business is something you have to do every day even when you don’t feel like you are making progress, or are tired of the mundane tasks required. Establish an organized work space so when you do sit down to do business, all the information and supplies are at your finger tips. Make it a habit to take care of business every day.
Frugality – #2 on my list. You have to be willing to make financial sacrifices when times are slow and there is no work. And it has to be a priority. Often the money you spend on new cloths, a café latte, going out to dinner with friends, flying home for a holiday or someone’s wedding or graduation can be put to better use by reinvesting it into your business. You need to practice saving money so when unexpected opportunities show up you have enough to tide you over. And remember to replace whatever you spend during those times as quickly as you can.
Great Communication Skills – Creating and maintaining relationships is the name of the entrepreneurship game. That requires networking and staying in touch with those contacts you have made. And that takes guess what, discipline. Also, listening to others when in a conversation is of paramount importance. Stop trying to come up with a clever retort during a conversation and simply listen to what is being said. Keep yourself current on what’s happening in the world whether its politics, fashion, the newest great book, or the latest restaurant of the day. And make it a habit to find out all you can about everyone at any function you are attending or those you are auditioning for via google, face book, blogs, etc., so you know a little about them, and what their tastes and likes are. It helps give you self-confidence and makes you look the professional. It’s business after all, not personal or emotional. It’s presenting and representing your Personal Brand which when authentic, speaks louder than words.
Self-Confidence – Executing all three of the above mentioned traits will give you self-confidence. It’s amazing how empowered you will start feeling because you are making great choices about how and what you want to make happen in your career and life. Learn to be your own biggest fan. There is nothing wrong with believing in your own talent and what you have that is unique and authentic. Don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk as well. As they say actions speak louder than words. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will either. And work will not just fall out of the sky, you have to go out there and find it yourself. Self-confidence is appropriate and necessary.
Humility – No one expects you to be perfect or have it all together because you are at the beginning of this process called building a professional singing career. So lighten up, apologize when appropriate, take constructive criticism and be open to learning from others. Also, ask for help when you need it.
Honesty & Integrity – A very, very important item on this list. Your reputation is at stake. Remember, you are the company, the employee and the product. So everything you do reflects on your business. This is where you Personal Brand can shine. Stay congruent on the inside so you can be consistent on the outside.
Motivation – Make creating an agenda for each day and making sure you do as much as you can to complete that agenda each day a priority. This helps keep you motivated. When you go to your voice lesson, have an agenda. When you walk down the street and meet others, have an agenda. Maybe it’s seeing how many people you can make smile back at you. When doing office work for your business, know that if you do the things you don’t like first, the rest of the items on your list become a breeze. You can’t just sit on the couch all day eating bon-bons and expect to be successful. Wishing and dreaming just don’t cut it. You have to make it happen even when you have a legit manager or agent and do it each and every day.
Flexibility – It pays to be able to change up what has to be done when circumstances alter your reality. Sometimes one has to rearrange a schedule or learn to accommodate the unexpected. Don’t let it throw you. As they say, “If they give you lemons, make lemonade” and do it with panache.
Curiosity – It pays to remain curious about people, places and things. It keeps you awake, interested and interesting.
Ability to Set Boundaries – Just because you can be flexible doesn’t mean you are weak and a pushover. You need to teach people how to treat you. Don’t accept unreasonable deadlines for learning music or anything else if it doesn’t really work for you, don’t put too much on your plate at one time and learn to say “no” when appropriate without making it personal or emotional because this is business. Then you can really feel really good about your actions.
Be Fit & Healthy – As a singer you are an athlete. Your whole body sings and so it needs to be in shape and healthy. So, don’t wait to go to a Doctor if you really feel unwell. Take very good care of yourself. Eat well, exercise moderately and take a spiritual break every day by walking in nature or sitting quietly turning inward to reflect on being happy. When you start feeling down, stressed or depressed, turn the corners of your mouth up and you will immediately feel better. It’s even more fun if you accompany that by putting your arms up in air and wave them around.
Balance – Sometimes as an entrepreneur working at home, it’s tough to know when to stop and take a break. Counterpoint to that, if you are good at relaxing, it’s equally challenging to get up off the couch and jump start your work mode. Regardless of which mode you are in, you are responsible for stretching your comfort zone enough to help keep your work and personal life in balance and interesting.
All of these personal characteristics have a major influence on your potential to succeed as an entrepreneur. So figure out how you can best master this process of becoming the consummate professional singer while running your own business and keeping the rest of your life in balance. We can’t know everything especially at the beginning so don’t be afraid to learn from others. Because each of us has different characteristics, inner languages, behaviors, beliefs, no one program or way of running a business will work for everyone. It’s up to you to figure out at just what pace you want to move and how much you can successfully put on your plate at one time to stay motivated and feel successful. Remember the story of the race between the tortes and the hare? They both crossed the finish line, but each did it at their own pace and in their own way.
I shared what I think – now let me hear from you about what’s on your mind. Ciao until next time.
Carol
