As a business mentor who has supported over 400 businesses to create over $1B in combined revenue, I have a unique lens on what it takes to succeed and why others struggle and never get off zero.
The difference between success and failure isn’t talent, timing, or luck.
It’s these 12 behaviors that are costing you your big dreams:
1. You reduce the target vs increasing the action
“I don’t have time to prioritize my business.” “I’m not ready but will look at this in September or January.” “My situation is unique, and no one really understands how hard it is for me to build my business.”
Reality check: Excuses are expensive. Your unwillingness to get uncomfortable means you are the one holding you back, not temporary situational circumstances.
2. You avoid discomfort vs manage it
You never make bold asks, pitch big ideas, or invest in growth.
Reality check: Entrepreneurship IS uncomfortable. Growth lives outside your comfort zone.
3. You consume but never create
You consume endless summits, workshops, podcasts, courses, books, videos and social media scrolling… but you never take action on all your notebooks of knowledge and insights.
Reality check: You don’t need more information. You need implementation of the knowledge you already hold.
4. You are a likeable expert vs the must hire choice
Always networking, posting on social media educational content but never telling people you are a hirable expert or successfully transitioning interest into sales calls.
Reality check: Not all visibility is equal. Your job is to identify and attract buyers and make offers. If your marketing isn’t generating qualified leads that results in sales conversations – it’s broken.
5. You jump from idea to idea but never stick with one long enough to get traction
Every other week you have a new offer, great idea or download. Your audience is confused, doesn’t know what you stand for and doesn’t trust you to delivery when you are constantly changing your big promise.
Reality check: Consistency beats creativity. Success comes from depth, not dabbling.
6. You blame external factors for your lack of results
The algorithm, the market, the economy – it’s never your responsibility.
Reality check: True entrepreneurs own 100% of their results. Money can be made in every economy.
7. You chase more credentials instead of taking action
Waiting to feel “qualified enough” before you start being hired by clients and making money in your business.
Reality check: Experience is built in the field, not the classroom. Lived experience is what matters, not just book knowledge.
8. You need everyone’s approval first
Waiting for permission to lead your own life – from your spouse, parents, friends and peers.
Reality check: Leaders choose themselves. No one will build your business for you; you must commit and follow through with action because YOU want to create this business.
9. You play small to stay comfortable
Undercharging, under-marketing, offering services for free and staying in “beta mode” with endless planning but little public implementation so you can avoid failure (or success).
Reality check: Playing small doesn’t protect you – it suffocates you. Every successful entrepreneur has failed many times. What matters is staying in the game because eighty percent of your ideas wont’ work, keep moving to find the twenty percent that will become success stories.
10. You won’t invest in yourself to build the skills needed to become a successful business owner
$10,000 for vacation? Sure. $10,000 for business coaching? “Too expensive.”
Reality check: If you’re not willing to invest in your business, no one else will either. Your fear around spending money will be mirrored in the clients you attract
11. You let every distraction consume your focus
Being busy is the excuse people use when they are avoiding what matters.
Reality check: Shiny objects and quick fixes won’t create sustained results. Focus on building solid business foundations and avoiding un-necessary complexity.
12. You have no clear daily goals or plan to create and sustain momentum
You wake up hoping things “just happen” and manage your day by a to-do list like an employee instead of leading like a business owner focused on moving the big rocks that create clients and cash.
Reality check: Inputs drive your outputs. You have exactly the business you created and with your daily focus. What gets measured gets improved.
If you saw yourself in this list, it’s time to get honest.
Do you want to continue to fail at being a business owner or are you ready to solve the problem?
Because recognizing these patterns is the first step to breaking them.
You have everything you need to succeed – but success requires you to show up differently and build the right foundations that fuel long term success.
Which of these hit closest to home for you?
Sometimes the mirror shows us exactly what we need to see.
It’s time to ditch the dirty dozen and build a rock solid business.
Need help?
Explore our programs and let’s have a conversation.
Your business mentor,
Christine Campbell Rapin
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