Written by: Kc Rossi, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle. A way of being that relies on undying faith that the rewards will outweigh the risks. Over the last three decades, I’ve absorbed valuable learning lessons — an understanding and appreciation of accumulated experiences. I’d like to share a few with you.
14 Nuggets of Wisdom from 31 Years of Being an Entrepreneur:
Cultivate Self-Trust First.
Listening to your inner voice is key to effective decision-making. Be careful not to be influenced by too many opinions, thus outsourcing your internal power. Relying on your intuition will serve you greatly and aid in building a solid foundation.
Confidence is a Skill.
Self-assurance is not based on age, weight, or gender. Think of confidence as a muscle — with consistent and persistent effort, it can be strengthened. Once you hone this skill, everything from messaging to marketing becomes magnetic.
Fall in Love with the Entrepreneur Lifestyle.
Get rich quick schemes have no place for people with business in their blood. Being an entrepreneur means you value rewards like freedom, autonomy, and creativity more than fleeting wins, slimy sales tactics, or predictable outcomes.
Start with the Fundamentals.
Showing up with vigor is crucial for business owners. It begins with essential self-care habits like nutrition and movement. After establishing what gives you the best mental attitude and sustained energy, schedule, and commit to making the new healthy routines non-negotiable.
Heart-Led for the Win.
When you align to your mission, your heart will act as a rudder in stormy seas. In business and life, there are ups and downs. Staying connected to your faith and deep why will help propel you through challenging times.
Lean into Self-Grace.
Development requires an attitude of openness, non-judgment, and self-grace. Celebrate your efforts. Becoming an expert in your field requires perseverance. Over the course, framing supposed failures as learning lessons will serve you well.
Simple is Better.
Overwhelm occurs when you overcommit, overdeliver, overthink, over-prepare, and overextend. Minimizing your inputs and obligations helps soothe stress. Leaving more white space increases clarity and joy. Before saying “Yes” to the next thing, ask yourself, is it essential?
Be Disciplined to Avoid Distractions.
It takes a level of training and habit to focus. Mastering your workday as an entrepreneur means avoiding distractions like social media, personal scenarios, or entertainment during dedicated work blocks.
Begin With Your Most Important Tasks.
It’s easy to mistake busyness for productivity and get caught up in the mundane. Starting each day with your most important tasks will safeguard you against procrastination and accelerate your goals.
Boundaries are Your Friend.
Establishing boundaries protects your resources and shields burnout. Setting boundaries is two-pronged — outlining them for yourself as a form of self-care, and communicating them to others so they can honor and respect your wishes.
Release Perfectionism.
The sooner you address and let go of perfectionism, the faster your productivity increases. Winston Churchill once said that “perfection is the enemy of progress.” By adopting progress over perfection, you reduce anxiety and increase fulfillment.
Push Your Growth Edge.
Staying in your comfort zone won’t bring radical results. To thrive in business, you must gravitate towards your growth edge. Navigating challenges with grace increases resiliency and strengthens character.
Market Like a Human.
To make true connections and build relationships, you have to be authentic. People buy from those they know, like, and trust. Showing your full self and speaking to your community without filtering your message will attract your ideal clients.
Embrace Never-ending Improvement.
The Japanese word Kaizen means “improvement.” Adopting a continuous improvement practice trains your brain to seek betterment. Over time, you gain a competitive advantage because of the ongoing positive changes and incremental advancements.
These are a few of my lessons. I hope you’ve found a nugget or two of wisdom that you can carry with you. Keep your eyes and heart open for your lessons, and remember to capture them to anchor in the learning. Together, with awareness, we have the power to attain mastery and reap the rewards of entrepreneurship
Kc Rossi, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kc Rossi is a Business & Leadership Coach who helps mission-driven CEOs and entrepreneurs optimize their performance, productivity, and profits.
She’s been a full-time entrepreneur since 1991 and has built six and 7+ figure businesses. Kc is a Certified Mindset Coach, Emotional Intelligence Practitioner, and trained in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, which allows her to bring deep insight to her coaching.
Kc is the Founder of The Soulprint Method®, a holistic approach that harnesses mindset and emotional intelligence to build a profitable and soul-aligned business without burnout.
She is the host of Women Developing Brilliance® — The Spirit of Business; a show dedicated to cultivating confidence, increasing visibility, elevating vibration, and leading with purpose.
When she is offline, you can find her whipping up plant-based eats or hiking the Finger Lakes Trail in Upstate, New York.
Kc is an Executive Contributor of Brainz Magazine. Her work has been highlighted in ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Thrive Global, SmallBizDaily, International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapists, Female Entrepreneurial Association, and The Smart Girl Tribe.