“I’m just not sure I have the right mindset to run my own consulting business.”
This is what a member of our consulting community shared as she was debating whether to transition her side-hustle into a full-time business.
Mindset is a BIG topic in the world of consulting and entrepreneurship.
There are countless webinars, books, trainings, master classes, newsletters, and more all about mindset! You’ll hear about entrepreneurial mindsets vs fixed mindsets. You’ll read long lists about the “right” mindset you need to succeed.
It can feel overwhelming, and make you doubt whether you “have what it takes” to be a consultant.
So, let’s take a minute to cut through the noise and talk about what mindset really means for consulting.
Is there only one consulting mindset?
No. Of course not! Different consultants have different goals—both for their businesses and what they want their lives to look like.
The mindset you need to succeed as a consultant is closely tied to your individual business goals. (You can learn more about setting those goals in our guide to becoming a nonprofit consultant.)
For example, some people are driven to build large, thriving agencies, which requires a certain mindset or approach—one focused on growth.
Others just want to achieve a better life-work balance. They want meaningful work that supports basic financial needs and enables them to spend more time with their families. This requires a mindset focused on balance and sustainability.
The one non-negotiable of a consulting mindset
There IS one mindset non-negotiable for succeeding as a nonprofit consultant: Resilience.
When you’re running your own consulting business, there are going to be ups and downs. You will have setbacks, disappointments, and missed goals. How you manage and respond to those situations will make a big difference in your success and in how you experience life as your own boss.
Can introverts be consultants?
Yes, introverts can absolutely succeed as consultants.
One member of our Hive community hates client meetings. They drain her energy faster than actually doing the work. So, she’s designed her business and services in a way that she only needs to do a couple of client meetings per week at most.
It’s even possible to do successful marketing as an introvert. Online networking, trainings, business coaching (like our 60-Day Consulting Boot Camp) and platforms like LinkedIn all provide opportunities to connect with peers and potential clients—and don’t require you to be an extroverted “people person.”
Confidence vs mindset – which matters more for your consulting business?
Here at Funding for Good we are all about practical tools. We agree that mindset is important. But we also know firsthand that mindset alone doesn’t lead to business success.
When you have the right tools and support to design and grow your business it boosts your confidence which transforms your mindset.
All of which is to say, if you are dreaming of taking your career into your own hands and aren’t sure if you have what it takes, stop doubting. Instead, start planning for how to make a business that fits your goals, personality, and work style.
If you’re not sure where to start, or are struggling in a particular area, we do offer consultations on-demand, where we focus together for a full 60 minutes on helping you move forward in your business. In some recent consultations, I’ve helped nonprofit consultants troubleshoot complicated scopes of work, navigate tricky client relationships, tackle marketing challenges, create real-world strategies for life-work balance, and more.
