In the time I’ve been in business and coaching others there are four phrases I’ve heard over and over that, quite seriously, are holding people back.

1. I don’t know what to do. Okay, so you don’t know what to do. What are you going to do about it? The difference between those who succeed and those who want to succeed is this; the ones who will succeed are going to figure out what to do. They quit repeating the mantra, “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to do” as if their life depended on it.

You see, once they admit they don’t know they live in the solution. They hire mentors, they take training and they buckle down. Simple as that.

2. I’m not a techie so I can’t use social media effectively. Oh my gosh. Get over it. None of us were born techies, nor do we need to be techies to know how to use social media. Using social media is easier than a lot of people realize. What they tend to forget is this; anything you get good at you have to do over and over.

The reason many people don’t feel they are good at social media is due to this; they get lost in the maze of social media and waste a ton of time with useless, time wasting activities. They spend precious time reading jokes, watching mindless videos of the next big dog or cat trick, and checking their like numbers to see how much they are loved by people they don’t know and who could care less about who they are.

3. I don’t have time. Well, find the time. Organize your day in a way that you let go of the time wasters. Chances are many of your time wasters relate to BSOS – bright shiny object syndrome. You are working on something, get bored and proceed to check your email or your Facebook messages. Stop! Staying on track takes discipline. Moment by moment you have to decide where you will put your attention.

True, there are more things vying for our attention than ever before, so it’s really up to you how you use your time. Quit using “don’t have time” as an excuse and begin using “I will consciously choose how I invest my time” as a reason to get things done.

4. I just need this one more certification. Wow! Is this one ever grabbing people by the scuff of the neck. It’s amazing how many people get certification after certification without getting off the dime to apply what they know.

Sure, it’s great (and in many cases necessary) to get certified in some practices, but if you are constantly going after just “one more” certification and not implementing what you know, then you are cleverly (or not so cleverly) using the time learning as a convenient way to avoid putting the pedal to the metal and achieving what you say you want.

Nowadays, there are certification programs popping up for the most bizarre things. Some are real and others are a complete waste of time, energy and money.

Learning is great but application of what you know is an absolute must if you are going to build your business and client base.

Conclusion The fact is, succeeding takes time, effort, focus and commitment. If you have not gone much beyond where you were a year ago and you are still spinning your wheels in the world of entrepreneurship one of two things need to happen. One, you need to get really honest with yourself and quit messing around and be willing to put yourself out there in a big way.

This may require finding a mentor who’s “been there, done that” and can give you a swift kick in the back side, pull your covers and get you on track like never before.

Two, maybe you’re not cut out for being an entrepreneur. Maybe you need to get really honest and get a job.

Isn’t it time to get honest about what you are doing? Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur or are you simply in love with the idea of being an entrepreneur?

Author's Bio: 

Discover success insights from experts around the globe who are out there making a difference and making a great living in the process. Kathleen Gage interviews the best of the best with Power Up for Profits Podcast. http://www.powerupforprofitspodcast.com