Starting Up and Keep Going
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So you had that fantastic
business idea, the one that's going to be wildly successful and make you a
fortune - and even better, you actually did something about it and started
your own business. Good for you! Not everyone gets even that far. Most
people sit and day dream about what they might do if only ....
"The world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead
and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision" - W.
Clement Stone
But you got over the biggest hurdle, you took that first step and you
actually created something. Well done - you already did more than most.
But once you've got started and you've maybe lost that first flush of
enthusiasm with the day to day details of running your business how do you
keep going? |
There are several things to look at here:
1. What are you really good at and what do you enjoy doing?
Make two lists - one of
all the jobs you like and/or are good at, and one of all the jobs you hate
and/or really don't do very well. Take the second list and have a
look at what you might outsource or automate. Do you really love doing
those accounts or would your time be better spent in forward
planning while your accountant does the sums? Must you personally reply to
every last enquiry or could you create a FAQ which you can post on your
website and refer people to by autoresponder?
Obviously in the early
stages of your business you might find you don't have the money to pay
someone to do the jobs you hate but you've got to think about what
is best for you and your business long term. Be creative - could you swap
skills to get the help you need? The more routine jobs you can outsource
or automate the more time you have to plan and to market your
business, and to think about even more ways to bring in all that lovely
cash - not to mention you get to spend more of your time doing the things
you really enjoy doing.
2. Why are you doing this?
You really need to be
motivated to start a business and keep it going and the best way to do
this is to know what all that effort is for. What really
moves you to get up in the morning and do what you need to do even when
you don't really feel like it? Write your reasons down and stick them on
your wall. Even better find pictures of that house in the country, the
Lamborghini or that 'must have' holiday and put them where you can see
them every day.
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3. How do you deal with those inevitable bumps in the road?
Not everything you do will
be perfect - sometimes things you've tried will be a total disaster - but
it's the way you react to problems that matters. If you curl up in a ball
and give up at the first sign of failure you'd better not be in business.
"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect
before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." - John
Quincy Adams. It's all about attitude.
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4. Have a plan and stick to it as far as possible but always
be prepared to be flexible and open minded.
Sometimes the most
unexpected opportunities come up and you need to be ready to seize them
with both hands - as Joe Vitale says 'Money likes speed'.
5. Get yourself a mentor - learn from someone who has done
it before. Having someone to bounce ideas off and someone who can
encourage you when things get tough is invaluable.
And most importantly, never let anyone put you down and never be afraid
of failure.
Contributed By:
Diego Norte noreply@diegonorte.com
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