Conventional wisdom in business says that confidence is the initial key to success. But it’s not confidence we need at the outset. Rather, commitment and courage set us off on the the path towards reaching our goals. So let’s unpack these ideas and discover how how to make your crochet business successful, building capability and confidence along the journey!
Taking that courageous step to actually do the thing makes you learn the skills and develop the capabilities that you thought you needed to have before you did the thing, but you actually learn them while you’re doing the thing. And then as you do it, that’s when you grow confidence. This is why commitment and courage are the two things you need as a business owner.
-Pam Grice, the Crochetpreneur
The Misunderstood Role of Confidence
Business owners, including those in the crochet industry, often believe that confidence is the linchpin for taking decisive action. However, confidence shouldn’t be your starting point. Instead, it should be viewed as the result of the commitment and actions you undertake. Read, listen, or watch below to learn how to take action and make a successful crochet business. 👇
The Four C’s: A Framework to Make a Successful Crochet Business
Before delving deeply into the elements of commitment and courage, let’s take a brief look at the framework that organizes these concepts, largely inspired by business coach Dan Sullivan:
1. Confidence: Believe you can do a thing
Typically, confidence is perceived as believing you can achieve your goals—like posting on social media or put selling crochet items to the public. While we often see confidence as a prerequisite, it actually should be seen as a result.
2. Competence: Having the skills you need
Competence, or capability, involves having the skills required to effectively run your business. I will hear crochet business owners say, “But I don’t know how to do the tech” or “I don’t know how to start a blog.” We want to know how to do a thing before we do it. But this line of thinking is putting the cart before the horse. We don’t need competence to get started.
3. Commitment: Deciding to go all in
Commitment is making the decision to fully engage with the goals you’ve set for your crochet business. Whether it requires money, time, or energy you’re willing to invest whatever resources it takes to into your own future.
4. Courage: The willingness to face fear and/or discomfort
When you have courage, you have the ability to face and work through fears and discomfort associated with new and intimidating challenges. Every new thing requires that we step out of our comfort zone—and that’s what growth looks like.
What I’m Learning on My 75 Hard Journey
One day recently—on a whim, as I often do—I started 75 HARD. If you’ve never heard of 75 HARD, it’s a mental toughness challenge developed by Andy Frisella. Only about 1% of people who start the challenge actually finish it! By completing this challenge, you prove to yourself that you can do hard things. I really felt like this was the time for me to do this.
The 75 HARD challenge entails a couple of rules:
- You have to do two 45-minute workouts a day—any workout you want—but one of them has to be outside, no matter the weather.
- You have to follow some sort of diet—whatever diet is best for you and where you are at.
- You have to drink a gallon of water a day with no flavor and no color. Coffee, tea, and sugar-free soda don’t count.
- You have to read 10 pages in a nonfiction book—not listen, but read in print.
- You have to take a progress photo every single day.
There’s no alcohol, no cheating. You have to commit 100%. If you mess up on one day, you have to start over. This is a graceless program. But it forces you to come up with solutions to difficult problems. It just forces you to do things that are hard. And in doing that, you develop new skills, you develop new mindsets, and you walk away at the end with a really powerful confidence that, “I did something that only 1% of people can complete.”
Take the Next Step to Make Your Crochet Business Successful
Whether launching your first product, raising your prices, or simply trying to show up more consistently, the Growth Pages for Crochetpreneurs will help you commit, track, and reflect as you grow in both skill and confidence. Get yours FREE when you subscribe to our weekly newsletter full of crochet business tips, resources, and encouragement!
Commitment: Your Foundation for Business Growth
You cannot complete 75 HARD—just like you cannot grow your crochet business—without 100% commitment to your goal. Both require a wholehearted commitment to facing challenges head-on. Commitment is the bedrock of any thriving business. It requires a firm decision to go all in, whether that means investing more time, resources, or energy.
Cultivating Courage: Facing the Unknown
Courage is the companion of commitment. It’s less about the absence of fear and more about the willingness to proceed despite it. The 75 HARD Challenge compelled me to embrace discomfort, whether it be exercising in unfavorable weather conditions or adhering to strict daily routines. Similarly, launching a crochet business or introducing a new design involves taking courageous steps—whether it’s engaging with social media, setting up an online store, or attending your first craft fair.
Moving Toward Competence and Confidence
As you progress with commitment and courage, your competence naturally evolves. Each new skill acquired and every small victory adds to your growing confidence. Like my progression in my exercise routine, which evolved from basic walking to tackling hills, your business journey will follow a similar pattern. Initially, small achievements build foundational skills, leading to larger accomplishments and fortified confidence.
Challenging Yourself to Make Your Crochet Business Successful
Consider setting a personal challenge for your crochet business. Where can you apply more commitment? How can you harness courage to overcome the hurdles before you? Whether it’s committing to crafting a new product line or stepping up your marketing game, challenge yourself to confront and conquer the areas in your business that induce fear or hesitance.
Tracking Progress: From Intent to Impact
Accountability is key in maintaining commitment and courage. Using a tracker can help you keep tabs on your progress. This could involve:
- Setting Specific Goals: Clearly define what you aim to achieve in areas such as product development, marketing, or customer engagement.
- Daily or Weekly Check-ins: Regularly update your progress to ensure you’re on track.
- Reflective Journaling: Record insights and breakthroughs that occur as you push through challenges.
- Take the Leap: Implementing Change
What Makes a Successful Crochet Business?
As we wrap up, it’s essential to embrace the idea that growth begins with a commitment and courage. Waiting for confidence and perfect competence can delay action. Instead, diving into the areas that seem daunting will teach you the skills you need and solidify your confidence as a Crochetpreneur.
Embrace hard things. Commit fully. Be courageous. The lessons and skills gained through this process will reward you with the confidence and success you’re striving for in your crochet business.
Let us know how you plan to incorporate these principles into your crochet business. Share your commitments and challenges with us in the comments, on Instagram, or join the Crochet Business Chat Facebook Commumity, where you can find encouragement and share your journey. Remember, you’ve done hard things before—now it’s time to do them again, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
