Many people who go into business are both the biggest visionary and the biggest critic in their profession. They see the big picture, yet they do things to sabotage their advancement. Here are five of the most common mistakes that 98% of professionals make in their business and how they can be avoided.

1. Tolerating the business you have. Don’t let yourself slip into the ‘good enough’ mindset and get complacent about investing in business development. Most small business owners unknowingly shrink their dreams because it’s safer to stay in their comfort zone, rather than super-size their courage and go for their big audacious goal. Think and dream big!

2. Failing to Plan. Many business owners shoot from the hip and make decisions based on the ‘blood in the water’ or where the ‘fire is burning’. This makes them reactive rather than proactive. In order to have success you need to plan for it. Be sure to know where you are headed and chart out your course for getting there.

3. External Excuses. Be the captain of your own ship, and leave your excuses at the shoreline. Get past looking outward to blame and take responsibility for taking the appropriate actions to correct your situation. Remember that no one will want it more than you; only you have the power to take responsibility and make it happen.

4. Waiting for the right time. Don’t wait for that magic sign to get into the market, for an opportunity to come your way, or to call a prospect. Making a bad decision almost always turns out better than making no decision at all. There is no time like the present. If you look at any success story, those people jumped knowing he net would appear.

5. Not asking for what you want. In business, in order for you to be happy and not resent what you are doing, you need to make sure your needs are met. When you know what you need, then you can ask for it. A lot of us ask for what we think we can get, not for what we want, and then when we get what we asked for, we wish we had asked for more.