‘Mistakes are just opportunities to learn, grow, and evolve’

From ignoring your intuition to fearing failure, here are six of the most commonly made blunders that I and many others have made when it comes to starting our own business ventures; each demonstrating that your learnings can transcend the corporate world and resonate just as deeply outside of work.

Ignoring your intuition

All too often you find yourself silencing that inner voice and prioritising logic over instinct. You chase strategies and trends that you’ve seen online, but don’t align with your core values or vision, which can ultimately lead to burnout and disillusionment. Your intuition is a powerful guide, both in business and in life. When you honour your gut feelings, you make decisions that are authentic and in sync with who you are, paving the way for genuine success and deeper fulfilment.

Failing to delegate

This familiar slip-up occurs when you try to wear all the hats, in the misguided belief that you have to be seen to control every aspect of your business. This not only results in overwhelm but also greatly limits the growth of your business. Empowering others to take ownership gives you the space to focus on your strategic priorities and fosters a more collaborative environment where everyone can contribute their strengths.

Fearing failure

You’re terrified of making mistakes, mostly because you’re scared of what others might say if they see you trip up. This fear holds you back from taking risks and pursuing new opportunities. Eventually, you will realise that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success – each setback will teach you resilience and adaptability. In both business and life, embracing failure motivates you to push yourself and your boundaries.

Not setting boundaries

In your eagerness to please clients and colleagues, you overextend yourself, saying yes to every request and working around the clock. The absence of boundaries leaves you feeling depleted and undervalued However, setting clear boundaries is crucial for maintaining balance and respect. Knowing when to say no and protecting and prioritising your time and energy helps you stay focused and productive.

Avoiding difficult conversations

When you lack total confidence, as many do when they’re in the midst of launching their own business, you tend to shy away from tough conversations, naively hoping the issues will resolve themselves. In reality, this avoidance can cause bigger misunderstandings and more significant problems. Addressing conflicts head-on with honesty and empathy is essential. Whether it’s a business negotiation or a personal relationship, open and direct communication builds trust, fosters stronger connections and prevents small issues from escalating into larger conflicts.

Chasing perfection

The modern-day obsession with perfection stifles your creativity and innovation. Moreover, it creates an environment of constant dissatisfaction, where your achievements are undervalued because they are never seen as perfect enough. It also leads to procrastination and missed opportunities. Over time, you will see that perfection is an illusion and progress, however small, is what truly matters.
By embracing these parallels, you can navigate both arenas with greater wisdom and resilience. The process is not so much about avoiding mistakes but learning and growing from them and that in the end, it’s your willingness to learn from your stumbles that ultimately leads you to your success.

Niamh Ennis is Ireland’s leading transformation coach, author of Get Unstuck, host of the Tough Love Energy podcast and lead coach with the IMAGE Business Club. You’ll find Niamh on niamhennis.com or on Instagram @1niamhennis.

This article originally appeared in the Autumn 2024 issue of IMAGE.

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