A $4,435.00 Mindset Mistake

Coffee Mindset Go

A $4,435.00 Mindset Mistake As we get deeper into the holiday season I wanted to highlight some of my failures. We all fail but rarely do we pick it apart. Why? Because failing hurts like hell. My first failed business cost me $4,435.00. My ego and pride got head kicked and my entrepreneur spirit was knocked out. I believe we can learn from each other’s mistakes. So please learn from mine. Even if you’re not starting a business these failed mindset lessons apply to all aspects of life. My first business was called Fluid Tactics. The concept was simple. I would teach first responders and military candidates the proper techniques needed to pass the water qualification standards of their training. Oh, and…this was all going to be done virtually. I know, I know…. great idea. I was in love with this idea. "It had to work. Why wouldn’t it work? I can teach anyone. It will revolutionize the industry of water instruction.” These were my only thoughts. Below are the 3 mistakes I made. Mistake 1: I convinced myself It was going to work. -I was too stubborn. I refused to listen to anyone’s advice because Fluid Tactics was an amazing idea. -Looking back…if enough people tell you the idea sucks…maybe it sucks. (maybe) -I was talking to friends and family, not potential customers. Mistake 2: I hate writing this but it’s absolutely true. I spend $1,243.00 on a brand new website. I had no customers. No leads. I had nothing. The only thing I had was a really expensive url. -In my mind having a website made me legit. -If I build it people will come…right? (wrong) -Besides my friends and family, no one ever wanted to visit the site. Mistake 3: I never had anyone give me money for my services. I spent plenty of my own money but I never had the nuts to find just one client. -I lost another $733 on Facebook ads with nothing to show for it -I never truly tested my service -I had no pitch or confidence to bring a client in the door I completely failed. It actually still stings if I’m being honest. But here’s what I learned… Mindset Lesson 1: Shut up and observe. -Taking that 1 second to observe the situation before you react can save you a lot of money. Mindset Lesson 2: Being obsessed is dangerous -Being so focused on success can blind you. Always be ready to pivot because the terrain is constantly changing. Mindset Lesson 3: Own every single one of your ideas..good or bad -Own it and test it. If it fails…tweak it and test it again. This is the only way you’re going to become great. Have the nuts to fail and own it with a smile. Truth be told if I didn’t have that failure under my belt I wouldn’t be writing this today. I would never have realized mindset was my arena or my place to pass along knowledge.