As an entrepreneur who lives an untraditional life I’ve learned that listening to the right voices can make or break my personal plan for success. If our desire is to live a life that’s uncommonly good, decisions need to be made.

There are voices out there yapping like a tiny disgruntled Chihuahua. Our best work happens when we listen to the passion within us and step forward into our purposeful work. Listening and acting on our internal leadership, and shutting down the yappers, well meaning or not, is how we seize our greatest calling.

If you’ve ever veered off the path of normality to create a new reality (and I’m sure you have) ask yourself these questions.

Were you met with some opposition from loved ones? Acquaintances? Possibly even strangers?

Let’s lead our self and our vision or someone else will decide for us. What would you rather have? Others’ voices sending you marching orders or you marching to the beat of your own unique drum? Go ahead. Answer the question, you rebel. 😉

Voice 1: But statistics show that 95% of businesses fail.

As harsh at it seems, it’s people that fail. Yes, we the people fail to run the business properly. Some of us run it as a hobby. Some of us run it by sheer ignorance or ineptitude. And, others of us run on limited resources so it never quite gets the lift off it deserves.

There’s always a combination of circumstances. Let’s be wise and toss out some questions. Was a strategy put into place? Was a demand for a product or service established? How about the ongoing skill development of the entrepreneur? Lastly, and not at all inclusively, beyond making money why was the business established in the first place?

Today’s world boasts opportunity! Starting and running a business has never been easier. With a click of a mouse, payment services are set up via the Internet. Free email accounts are in plenty. Inexpensive web services and free marketing materials are all at our fingertips.

The cards are stacked up in our favor to succeed. We simply need focus with a strategy applying the right methods to the audience who wants, needs or desires our services or products.

Voice 2: In order to be successful you really should do this.

We have the choice to tune in or tune out to the voices pushing the shoulds. Not all success plans are the same. For example, for years I was told I should drive a fancier, flashier car to “show” that I’m making serious bank even when I wasn’t. It felt slimy and incongruent. Now it’s simply not my priority.

We can acknowledge these particular voices, and yet ignore them if they are not in alignment with what we want to accomplish. I feel a sense of great success when I can contribute. It’s satisfying driving a nice pre-owned vehicle, living mortgage-free and giving to great causes I care about. This is my conviction. However, if I were picked up in a hot red Ferrari, I wouldn’t oppose, I’d absolutely enjoy the ride.

The point is this, be alert to those who say we “should” be doing this or that. Usually we’re better off not entertaining the voices that dictate orders about work decisions when they aren’t the ones paying our bills or doing the work we do. It’s that simple. Wisdom knows the difference of who we are and what we want– not what others want for us.

Voice #3: Do YOU really have what it takes to do “xyz”?

Says who? The world is full of overcomers. Often we can be our own worst enemy. We can also choose to run with the likes of those who said yes to making things happen despite their circumstances.

We celebrate heroes. The ones who choose to stand up and stand out in spite of challenges.

I say, let’s avoid the voices that say we aren’t right for the part.

I think we can simply decide to go to work and allow the results to speak.

Meanwhile I rely on stories of inspiration. I remind myself that, a once 15 year-old girl who was shot in the head is now the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner and advocate for female education.

Malala Yousafzai words resonate from a famous speech given at the United Nations. “They thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed,” she said. “And then, out of that silence came thousands of voices. … Weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born.” As entrepreneurs, may we all take up strength, power and courage in all that we do.

I remind myself that one of the greatest composers of all time became deaf. Being deaf didn’t stop him from creating some of the most beautifully composed music. When Beethoven was asked why he continued to compose music after becoming deaf, his response was, “I knew the best music was still inside of me.” Let’s remember the best music is still inside of us and that we’re equipped to do whatever is in our hearts to do.

Chime in! Tell us, have you ever faced any of these three voices? How did you silence them? Or perhaps there was a different type of voice you shut down that didn’t serve you. What was it and how did you place it on mute?