We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Morgan Hutchings a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Morgan, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I certainly haven’t always been as self confident as I am today. Years ago you would catch me in the back of the room just hoping to go un-noticed. Now speaking from stages, writing books and coaching over 40 business owners in multiple countries. A mentor of mine once told me ‘competence breeds confidence’. Simply put he said; “You’ve got to practice something until you cant get it wrong”. I learned quickly that the more I knew and understood about myself and what I was doing professionally the easier it was for me to believe in myself. Thats the message I would share with anyone. If you feel like you can’t do something or you just aren’t ever going to ‘get it’. Go back to the basics, practice that until you can’t get it wrong and I guarantee you once you have that down the confidence comes easy!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I work with small business owners some who have been in business for 10+ years others who are just getting started. The majority share one common trait. The business owner doesn’t have a blueprint for how to build the business. It doesn’t take much to start a business, these days you can actually do it for free! What isn’t so easy is coming up with a blueprint on how you are going to start the business, make it successful, grow the business and ultimately sell it or pass it along to family as an asset. You see when a builder begins a home they start with things like zoning, planning, strategy, financing, all of which are future focused. No one builds a house saying ‘I hope this thing lasts me a few years’, they build expecting it to last generations!
In business we have a few good ideas, sometimes just one really good idea and we start. No planning, no strategy, no zoning; all gas no breaks. This, is where for many business owners they become a statistic. I’ve seen it first hand majority of new small business’s not making it longer than a year, let alone three. You should be creating and building your business with the same simple steps it takes to build a home.
To help get you started:
Why did you start your business?
Whats your goal for the business in the next 5-10 years?
Whats the one thing in your business you do better than anyone else?
How will you know when ‘you’ve made it’?
Answer these question’s to start your blueprint. If the answers come easy, thats a great sign! If they don’t come so easy you know you’ve got some work to do. The best thing you can do here is reach out to someone like a coach or mentor who has already done successfully what you are trying to do!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Be adaptable! Change comes easy to some people, for others it’s the end of their world as they know it. Thats just life, since the moment each one of us got here its been change. ‘Life is a risk’, I love that saying! It got risky the moment you got here so why be afraid of it? The best thing you can do is plan on it! You see I constantly see the world around me as a never ending changing scene, knowing anything can change at anytime.
But Morgan I hate change!
Trust me I get it but, it’s not about liking or not liking change. I’m not asking you to relish in the fact your business just had a bad 4th quarter, your kid is moving off to college or you changing schools. I want you to ask yourself this simple questions that I think will help. “What do I need to do to accept this change”? You might find the answer is simple and easy to find.
Growth mindset
I’ve worked with so many entrepreneurs and business owners and I can tell you what makes the difference between exceptional people. The need for growth both with business owners and employees! You have got to want growth in all aspects of your life; personal, professional and financial. You have to be committed to never settling for the status quo. Go talk to the most successful person you know regardless of how you determine success. Spend 15 minutes with them asking them questions about themselves and their business and keep track of how many times that talk about the future! I’m telling you there is magic in looking ahead.
Be Patient:
Some of the greatest people I’ve come to know in business are the most patient. They don’t rush their own success or the success of others. The great Jim Rohn said ‘You can’t yell at a seed for not being a flower’. We should all allow ourselves to understand that and fully live by its meaning. You have got to have patience while still working towards your future. Don’t be mad at yourself or those around you for not following some arbitrary deadline when it comes to life or business.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Every person should take the time to read ‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz.
This book has the power to teach you everything you need to know about becoming the best version of yourself while still respecting everyone around you. Too many people as they climb the ladder rungs of life loose sight of themselves or the people around them. You can have balance in life and this book can help teach you some valuable lessons for your growth!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.audexperts.com
