The Simple Mindset Shift That Saved My Business After Total Failure

I want to kick off our special series about the hidden things that stop us from growing. This first letter is all about something tricky called “assumption barriers.”

What Are Assumption Barriers?

Assumptions are things we believe to be true without checking if they really are true. They are like invisible walls that block our path forward. We cannot see them, but they stop us from moving ahead.

When we assume things will just work out on their own, we do not take the steps needed to make real progress. This is very dangerous because time keeps passing, but we might not be growing at all!

My Story: When Assumptions Held Me Back

Let me share something personal that might help explain this better.

Back in January 2020, I left my job at Deloitte to start my own business called 3G Action. I was so excited and full of hope! I had done good work for a few clients and was talking with others who seemed interested. So I thought, “My business will grow over time just because I am good at what I do.”

This was a big assumption! I pictured clients calling me every day, my calendar filling up, and money flowing into my bank account, all because I had skills and some early success.

I remember sitting in my home office, waiting for emails that never came. I kept telling myself, “Success takes time. Just be patient.” But patience without action is just another way of doing nothing.

I did not bother to learn important things about running a business, like: – How to find new customers – How to sell my services – How to deliver great work consistently – How to set the right prices – How to manage money properly

Because I assumed success would just happen, I struggled badly. My savings started to disappear. The few clients I had were not enough. After only six months of worry and stress, I had to go back to working a regular 9-to-5 job. My dream seemed over, and I felt like I had failed.

How Real Growth Finally Happened

But that is not the end of the story! Over the next five years, I changed my approach completely. I stopped assuming and started learning.

I began by admitting what I did not know. This was hard for me, but it opened the door to real growth. Instead of thinking my MBA had taught me everything, I became a student again.

I started seeking out people who truly understood business fundamentals, successful entrepreneurs and mentors who had already walked the path I was trying to navigate. I listened carefully as they shared insights Their practical wisdom showed me what no textbook could. These conversations and observations helped me see the gaps in my approach and put me on a path where I could make informed decisions rather than hopeful guesses. The guidance I received wasn’t just advice, it was a complete shift in how I thought about building a sustainable business.

I created systems to track what worked and what did not. I started small projects on weekends to test my new knowledge. When I failed (and I failed a lot!), I wrote down what I learned instead of giving up.

The best part? Today, the business is growing steadily, not because of magic or time passing, but because of the specific actions I take each day.

I learned that knowing something in theory is not the same as knowing how to do it in real life. Growth happened when I decided to move past assumptions and gain hands-on experience in handling these business areas.

We all make assumptions in different areas of our lives. Maybe you assume: Your health will be fine without exercise, Your relationships will stay strong without effort, Your skills will improve just because time passes, Your finances will sort themselves out.

But real growth needs us to question our assumptions and take specific actions instead.

Action Point

• Pick one area of your life where you might be making an assumption about growth. Write it down, then list three specific actions you can take this week to actively grow in that area instead of just assuming it will happen.

Remember, nothing grows by accident. Plants need water, sunshine, and care, and so do our dreams!

Looking forward to continuing this growth journey together next week!​

Ready to grow, but something’s holding you back?

Sometimes, it’s not skills or time that stop us, it’s assumptions we’ve picked up along the way. Things like “I’m not ready” or “This won’t work for me.” These little thoughts can build big walls.

I’d love to help you break through those walls so you can grow with confidence, in your career, business, or by helping others do the same.

Just click the link that fits you best:

• I want to grow in my career and leave these barriers behind – Click here​
• I want to start or grow my business without feeling stuck – Click here​
• I have a group that needs to hear how to break through these barriers – Click here​

Let’s tear down what’s holding you back, and take a bold step forward!