Today, I am a full-time speaker and high-performance coach. It took me 7 years to get here.
Entrepreneurs know that to achieve great things they must be willing to suffer for it. That what we want is on the other side of perseverance and determination. I managed to successfully reinvent myself and turn what I love to do in to a full-time. In this short article I want to outline five things for you to consider on your journey from side-hustle to full-time hustle.
- Clarity through action
In 2011 I knew I didn’t want to be a physio anymore, but I also didn’t know that I’d eventually be a speaker and coach. I figured out what I wanted to do with my life not through reading and reflecting alone but through doing.
I tried many different ideas and ventures. Many failed. In fact, most failed. They failed because I was seeking and not ready to commit to one line of action yet.
It’s ok to seek but do it with your actions.
- Appreciate the income
Many people would urge you to take the plunge and go full-time as soon as possible. Not me. I found that the money I earned from physio gave me an assurance that helped me to put money into my new businesses without experiencing the anxiety that so many entrepreneurs are familiar with.
Of course, at some point you will have to take the plunge. And there is a good chance that you will have to do it before you are quite ready.
'An entrepreneur is someone who will jump off a cliff and assemble an airplane on the way down.' Reid Hoffman
- Build your network
Yes, you hear this all the time. You hear it all the time because it’s really important. As a soon-to-be entrepreneur, there is an added appeal. It’s an activity that carries little to no cost.
Most networking activities are free. You just have to locate them. If you still feel a bit intimidated you can start building and rallying your tribe online. Trust me, they are the ones who will support you when you need it the most.
- Practice patience
We love to try and force things. We want life to happen on our time. The more you pursue this line of thinking the unhappier and more frustrated you will become.
It’s your job to show up every day and do the work. Do it to the best of your abilities. Iterate. Pivot. Work. And then watch how your dreams come true over time.
We do not get to manipulate time, only the effort that we are willing to invest.
- Be the professional
This has been one of the most important principles in my life. It’s something I first heard of from Steven Pressfield.
“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.” – Steven Pressfield
The professional shows up day after day. They do not wait for inspiration or motivation to hit before doing the work. They do the work because it must be done.
Being a professional is a state of mind.
One that is available to you straight away.
Erik Kruger isa personal performance and leadership coach who works with top executives, entrepreneurs and celebrities to help them better evaluate, understand and improve their thinking and behavioural patterns. He is currently completing his Master’s Degree in Business and Executive Coaching at Wits Business School. Erik is also a keynote speaker as well as a writer.