Lack of confidence is a huge challenge for many bookkeepers, as it was for me.
I think it’s exacerbated by the very industry we are in. Everything we do is about right or wrong. It either balances or it doesn’t and if it balances its right and if it doesn’t its wrong. That attention to detail and getting it right is exactly what you need to be a great bookkeeper. But it’s not particularly helpful when you are trying to grow your bookkeeping business because it’s likely to hold you back.
I spoke to a bookkeeper last week who was discouraged. She said “I can see how other people can have a successful bookkeeping business, but I don’t quite believe it’s possible for me.” When I asked her why it all came out. Since the BAS Agent regulations, the perceived threat of being sued undermined her confidence in her bookkeeping skills. And then there was the sales and marketing. She hated selling herself and preferred to engage a client who had been referred and just start doing the job. And how on earth was she supposed to manage a team of bookkeepers? It was daunting.
I explained that the only way of becoming confident was to take action. Dale Carnegie said “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” It’s possible for every bookkeeper who is 10/10 committed to growing a successful bookkeeping business to achieve that. I’ve proved it. But it does take courage to step out of your comfort zone and take the actions which are going to get you there.
Are you up for the challenge?
Article by Michael Palmer
Michael is the CEO of Pure Bookkeeping, the host of The Successful Bookkeeper podcast and an acclaimed business coach who has helped hundreds of bookkeepers across the world push through their fears and exponentially grow their businesses and achieve the quality of life they've always wanted.
