One of the things I get asked most about is how to set up a new project. As school is going back I thought it might be helpful to write a list of my top tips for starting your new enterprise.
- Get clarity
Being absolutely crystal clear on what it is you want to do, who you want to help, and how you are going to do that is absolutely key to success. Keep honing those ideas. Journal about it early in the morning before checking your phone. Know your values. Get really clear on your target audience or client base. Research any similar projects and see what you can learn from them. You can often save yourself ten years of practical on-the-ground research by investing time in a mentor who’s learned the lessons the hard way.
- Know your why
Knowing WHY you want to do something is so important. What will you bring to the lives of others? What will you bring to your own life and those of your family and friends? What will you bring to the community and planet through your work? Why is this important to you?
- Create momentum
Think about the steps you will need to take to achieve what you want. Write a list of them and prioritise them – ‘eat the frog’ by doing stuff that scares you first. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
- Make sacrifices
Nobody who’s being successful in setting up a project is going to be at every single social event.(unless they are running the coolest club in town) Taking care of your sleep hygiene, your physical health, and your state of mind through early nights, exercise, hydration, and nutrition will set you well on the way to achieving the life of your dreams
- Get into massive action
Every day write a list of your high-priority tasks and get them done. Don’t let low-priority tasks take over. Delegate work that can be done better by others. Keep showing up and keep believing in yourself. And remember that success ALWAYS comes at the last attempt.
Clare Honeyfield is a yoga teacher, coach, and entrepreneur based in Stroud and working globally to help women creatives overcome procrastination and achieve greatness through the development of self-belief, self-care, and community.