Many of us feel pretty comfortable with the suggestion that we operate in an honest and direct manner with our customers and clients. In fact, cultivating a reputation for honesty and integrity can be one of your greatest marketing tools as a home business owner. I would like to propose, however, that it is just as important that we be honest with ourselves as we set about building our businesses.
Denial can be a great survival tool; as can simply refusing to face the truth or accept what is really going on. But, eventually it is in our best interest to face those facts and deal with reality as it is and not as we wish it was. What sort of things might a home business owner be keeping from him or herself? Well, you might choose not to see your customers and clients objectively or not be keeping close count of your budget and books. You might also find yourself refusing to believe that changing economic conditions will influence your own business operations.
Many of us also might have either a too high or too low opinion of our own skills and talents. We may think that we can handle everything on our own or that we are brilliant at things like marketing and sales when that might not necessarily be the case. Getting a grip on what really is and what we are both good at and where we are lacking can help us do a better job of adjusting to meet the needs of our businesses.
Keep in mind that being honest with oneself is quite different from either being to optimistic or too pessimistic. You can still have a great “can do” attitude and be committed to thinking the best about your business, while still striving to be honest with yourself about reality.