I have been a business owner for 10 years and consulting businesses for 5 years now.

Over the years, I have learned that most people who want to achieve the financial success they desire end up failing because they focus on the wrong things. They think their tools or marketing aren't working and never realize their own inaction and inconsistency is what's actually holding them back.

To be honest, it took me quite a while to learn this lesson too.

Here are some of the other reasons I've learned people fail at running a small business:

• Reason #1: They don't create, grow, and use a database daily. Your database is your business, and if you don't use a system to manage and build relationships with your customers and prospects, you're trying to build a skyscraper without a foundation.

• Reason #2: Poor communication. To build a business worth owning, entrepreneurs need to have exceptional communication skills. It builds trust and displays your professionalism. It's not simply how to communicate your elevator pitch at an event or write an email; it's how you present what your business offers, its unique selling proposition, marketing assets, and lead follow-up.

• Reason #3: They are impatient. Real success takes time and a lot more than we want it to take. People try a marketing tactic once and deem it unsuccessful. They need to be prepared to try it for 6 months minimum. Social strategies and building audiences to grow your business take much longer. Commit to 2 years or 100 videos or newsletters before throwing in the towel. Be 1% better with each one and watch for signals (feedback), one like, comment, or DM at a time.

Overcoming failure is a crucial part of succeeding, moving forward, and making actionable progress.

But don't worry: we've all been there. Onward Together.