A Closed Mouth don't get fed; Confessions from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur (part 3)

 

About 12 years ago, I wrote a book called Confessions from a Las Vegas Hairstylist where although our professions we chose were different, we had a few similarities like the lingo we related to and how serious we were about our business. 

My Clients and I often had these profound conversations about entrepreneurial endeavors and getting what you want out of life in general. One day as I was doing one of my Clients hair, she turned to look at me and said "A Closed Mouth don't get fed Mimi". 

It was in that moment my paradigm had shifted. I had been carrying a mantra that was "Be seen but not heard" for too long. I reflected on the areas in my life where I just kept my mouth closed too often. 

I let things be and felt I didn't really have a voice. Of course it spilled over in business. What saved me was my reputation was propelled thru my clients recommendations. It was going good but it could go even better. So what she said I thought about the different ways I could view it. 

The phrase "A closed mouth don't get fed" can be interpreted a few different ways. 

 It could mean;

• If you don't take the initiative by making an effort to pursue opportunities, you won't get the results you desire.
• If you don't vocalize your needs or desires, you won't get what you want. 
• If you don't communicate your values then you leave the door open for your boundaries to be pushed. 
• It can translate as a lack of self confidence 

Speaking up for yourself develops self-confidence, assertiveness, and an understanding of what you need and deserve. It helps you set boundaries and make sure your voice is heard. It can open up opportunities making you stand out from the crowd and help to build your relationship capital as well as increase pride in your work. It was that initiative that I needed to pursue more goals and manifest my vision. 

Taking initiative can be an invaluable skill to have in both professional and personal situations. Here are some steps to help you take initiative like I did by:

• Identifying opportunities: Look around you and identify areas that need improvement or tasks that need to be completed.
• Create a plan: Think about how you can best approach a task or project and create a plan for taking action.
• Take action: Put your plan in motion and take the initiative to get the job done.
• Follow-through: Follow through on your commitments to see the task or project through to completion.
• Reflect: Once you have completed the task, take a moment to reflect on what went well and what could have been improved. This helps you to be prepared for similar tasks in the future.

Assertiveness in entrepreneurship is important because it allows you to confidently and effectively express your goals and ideas without fear or hesitation. It also helps us as entrepreneurs to navigate challenging and complex business situations, as well as build strong relationships with potential partners, customers, and investors. 

Having this quality helps entrepreneurs to stay focused and stay on track with their goals, and to be better able to make decisions quickly and confidently. All of these things are essential for success in the business world. So following these steps will help you become a valuable asset in any situation, remembering that  "A closed mouth don't get fed".