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Having 101 ideas in your head is something that many people would be
envious of. In fact, if you mention to others that you are running your
own business, they might remark with wonder and encouragement at your
actions.
However, one thing that isn't discussed as often as it should be is how
business owners keep their heads screwed on. How do they cope with the
ideas that are in their heads, and not become overwhelmed by the
enormity of it all? There are a few common traits amongst those
businesses that have achieved a certain level of success.
** They know they can't do it all **
Having lots of ideas is one thing - trying to do them all yourself is
another. Although having others complete work for you is a real
challenge - especially when you are starting out and have limited money
- it is often one of the key elements why the business owner still has
their sanity.
** They roll with the punches **
As kids when we were growing up, parents or adults might have told us
to “roll with the punches”. This most likely made no sense to you as a
child, but as we grow up, the wisdom of this saying was quickly
realized. Life, in all its glory and unexpectedness, delivers curve
balls to us every day. As such, we have two choices - be flexible and
respond, or strike out.
Successful businesses have learnt that the economy, people, and
business in general, is dynamic and organic - it changes all the time.
In fact, the most “together” business owners have developed an attitude
that helps them cope with these circumstances. When things don't go the
way they planned, they quickly assess the situation, focus on doing
those things they can control, and for those areas of the business that
they cannot control, choose to accept the fact and move on.
** They know what they want to achieve **
Every successful business has “made it” because they knew what they
wanted to achieve. They had a compelling reason to keep on going
through hard times. This doesn't mean that they had it easy, nor does
it mean that they had a truly defined focus for the business. Once
reality kicks in, sometimes even the best laid plans go out the window.
But it was the compelling reason that helped these successful business
owners push through and find a way to achieve their dreams.
This compelling reason can be anything that drives you - something you
are passionate about. For example, it could be providing a better life
for your family. It could be the desire to build a business that you
can leave as a legacy after you die, for the benefit of your family and
community. Whatever the reason, it must be strong enough to help
provide you with the fuel you will need when powering through the rough
times that every business owner has.
Being a business owner - an entrepreneur - is a hard task. When
starting off, it isn't uncommon to see yourself doing 50-80 hours of
work each week in the business, and you are still barely breaking even.
Sometimes, despite the efforts you have made, you lose money. But,
after a while, things will change. The sales will start to increase.
Customers will start coming back to you again and again.
Others might call this Luck. It isn't. It is the outward representation
and reward for all the hard work and internal 'fine-tuning' that you
have been going through up until that point. All the trials,
tribulations, set-backs, disappointments and foiled ideas are all
necessary for you to be ready for the Success when it comes.
So, if you have a clear vision and reason for your business; have a
flexible plan and attitude; and an iron-will and dogged determination
to achieve despite frustration and disappointments, success will be
yours. After all, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. There is
a very valid reason why it isn't 'crowded at the top'. The question is
- Are you prepared to go through your trials to get there?
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