Whether launching a 'traditional business' or an 'on-line business', the hours require to start a brand new business can be long, and the pay-off is uncertain. In the case of on-line entrepreneurs, profitability will only come after months of creating content and cultivating a loyal following. Perseverance and self confidence are personality traits common to all truly successful businesspeople.
Have you ever wondered what distinguishes the truly successful entrepreneurs from everybody else? Starting a business is difficult, yet Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson and others have achieved a level of success that is well beyond the wildest dreams of 99.9% of entrepreneurs. These men have several traits in common, perhaps the most significant of which is an unwavering believe in their ability to get the job done. Napoleon Hill interviewed the most successful business people of his day and concluded that the ultra successful had an ability to "Think and Grow Rich".
Although oftentimes overlooked, the mental fortitude of an entrepreneur is the primary indicator on whether a new company will be successful. This is critical because eventually the company will experience adversity. In times of stress, the entrepreneur's commitment to the business can be called into question. As Napoleon Hill concluded from his interviews with over 500 business people Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure. Choosing to perservere can be difficult, so here are 10 ways that entrepreneurs use to find motivation. This list starts with the easy suggestions.
Basic Strategies
1. Find small ways to motivate using positive reinforcement. For example, scribble your goals on your bathroom mirror, or post pictures of inspiring images in places where they can be seen several times each day. One trick that I find useful is to give my email a meaningful ringtone - with every email I receive, I hear the sound of a cash register ringing.
2. Create a Vision Board - I first heard about visualization from John Assaraf in the movie "The Secret" and was sceptical. The concept involves finding images that represent your dreams, goals and ambitions, then turning those images into a poster and keeping it somewhere where you will notice it several times each day. My wife tried it, and I noticed how it seemed to keep her on-track for a half marathon. I decided to give it a shot. My take on this was a little different - I put several PowerPoint slides together and saved them as images. These became my screen-saver and my computers wallpaper. I found the constant reminding was motivational, and eventually found that I was accomplishing each of the goals that I had initially set for myself. Check out the movie 'The Secret" if you need more help on visualization techniques.
3. Find quotes/movies/books that inspire you. Quotes have a way of cutting through the intellect and speaking straight to our soul. My favorite quote is, "Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary" from the 1989 movie "Dead Poets Society".
4. Adopt your own personal mantra. Words can be inspiring and hold incredible power, so choose your words carefully. Make sure that your personal mantra includes positive, affirming words that resonate with your ultimate goal. Some people prefer short, primal mantras ("Its go time!!!!") while others prefer more holistic statements ("I am powerful whole and complete within myself). Put this mantra in a place where you will see it throughout the day, like in your wallet or on your computer monitor.
5. Try meditation. Take 10 minutes out of your day and find a quiet place that has no distractions (no cell phone, email, twitter, etc). Sit still, close your eyes and focus only on breathing in and breathing out. If your mind wanders, consciously tell yourself to focus on your breath. In the beginning, 10 minutes feels like an eternity, but with practice you will improve. The mental clarity and ability to focus after meditating is fantastic. As well, taking a small mental break will provide you with a better ability to prioritize various tasks.
6. Go help somebody - online entrepreneurs can spend most of their time alone. Reconnecting with actual living human beings will lift your spirits, and helping somebody else will help you feel encouraged.
7. Don't check your AdSense account more often than you brush your teeth. This is really a weight-loss technique that I have adapted for this list. If you weigh yourself frequently when trying to lose weight, you will become unnecessarily discouraged every time the scale is not giving you positive reinforcement. Frequent checking of your AdSense account (or Chitika, or Kontera, or Amazon, or ... you get the idea) is both a waste of your time and provides you a small let-down if the balance has not moved. It is best to check the account no more than once a day.
Advanced Strategies
8. Cut the toxic people from your life and make sure the people you associate with are people who give you energy. There are two types of people in the world - those who pump you up and those who bring you down. Whether you recognize it or not, people tend to be a reflection of their peers. Make sure you associate with people who bring out the best in you.
9. Be authentic - this is easier said than done. Genuinely positive people are not conflicted with who they really are and whom they think others want them to be. Finding your own voice and making yourself vulnerable takes courage and is often-times a long, slow journey of self acceptance that can be easier for some than others.
10. Keep the balance in your life - if you let it, creating a business can consume all of your time and attention. Being all consumed in the initial stages is quite normal, but once your business plan is set, be sure to set boundaries. Otherwise, a pattern of workaholism will root to the detriment of things like family and exercise and will eventually lead to burn-out. Keeping balance also gives you a chance to reflect on your goals - it is normal for goals to shift over time. Without this introspection, you may find yourself climbing the metaphorical ladder leaning against the wrong wall.
Have you ever wondered what distinguishes the truly successful entrepreneurs from everybody else? Starting a business is difficult, yet Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson and others have achieved a level of success that is well beyond the wildest dreams of 99.9% of entrepreneurs. These men have several traits in common, perhaps the most significant of which is an unwavering believe in their ability to get the job done. Napoleon Hill interviewed the most successful business people of his day and concluded that the ultra successful had an ability to "Think and Grow Rich".
Although oftentimes overlooked, the mental fortitude of an entrepreneur is the primary indicator on whether a new company will be successful. This is critical because eventually the company will experience adversity. In times of stress, the entrepreneur's commitment to the business can be called into question. As Napoleon Hill concluded from his interviews with over 500 business people Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure. Choosing to perservere can be difficult, so here are 10 ways that entrepreneurs use to find motivation. This list starts with the easy suggestions.
Basic Strategies
1. Find small ways to motivate using positive reinforcement. For example, scribble your goals on your bathroom mirror, or post pictures of inspiring images in places where they can be seen several times each day. One trick that I find useful is to give my email a meaningful ringtone - with every email I receive, I hear the sound of a cash register ringing.
2. Create a Vision Board - I first heard about visualization from John Assaraf in the movie "The Secret" and was sceptical. The concept involves finding images that represent your dreams, goals and ambitions, then turning those images into a poster and keeping it somewhere where you will notice it several times each day. My wife tried it, and I noticed how it seemed to keep her on-track for a half marathon. I decided to give it a shot. My take on this was a little different - I put several PowerPoint slides together and saved them as images. These became my screen-saver and my computers wallpaper. I found the constant reminding was motivational, and eventually found that I was accomplishing each of the goals that I had initially set for myself. Check out the movie 'The Secret" if you need more help on visualization techniques.
3. Find quotes/movies/books that inspire you. Quotes have a way of cutting through the intellect and speaking straight to our soul. My favorite quote is, "Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary" from the 1989 movie "Dead Poets Society".
4. Adopt your own personal mantra. Words can be inspiring and hold incredible power, so choose your words carefully. Make sure that your personal mantra includes positive, affirming words that resonate with your ultimate goal. Some people prefer short, primal mantras ("Its go time!!!!") while others prefer more holistic statements ("I am powerful whole and complete within myself). Put this mantra in a place where you will see it throughout the day, like in your wallet or on your computer monitor.
5. Try meditation. Take 10 minutes out of your day and find a quiet place that has no distractions (no cell phone, email, twitter, etc). Sit still, close your eyes and focus only on breathing in and breathing out. If your mind wanders, consciously tell yourself to focus on your breath. In the beginning, 10 minutes feels like an eternity, but with practice you will improve. The mental clarity and ability to focus after meditating is fantastic. As well, taking a small mental break will provide you with a better ability to prioritize various tasks.
6. Go help somebody - online entrepreneurs can spend most of their time alone. Reconnecting with actual living human beings will lift your spirits, and helping somebody else will help you feel encouraged.
7. Don't check your AdSense account more often than you brush your teeth. This is really a weight-loss technique that I have adapted for this list. If you weigh yourself frequently when trying to lose weight, you will become unnecessarily discouraged every time the scale is not giving you positive reinforcement. Frequent checking of your AdSense account (or Chitika, or Kontera, or Amazon, or ... you get the idea) is both a waste of your time and provides you a small let-down if the balance has not moved. It is best to check the account no more than once a day.
Advanced Strategies
8. Cut the toxic people from your life and make sure the people you associate with are people who give you energy. There are two types of people in the world - those who pump you up and those who bring you down. Whether you recognize it or not, people tend to be a reflection of their peers. Make sure you associate with people who bring out the best in you.
9. Be authentic - this is easier said than done. Genuinely positive people are not conflicted with who they really are and whom they think others want them to be. Finding your own voice and making yourself vulnerable takes courage and is often-times a long, slow journey of self acceptance that can be easier for some than others.
10. Keep the balance in your life - if you let it, creating a business can consume all of your time and attention. Being all consumed in the initial stages is quite normal, but once your business plan is set, be sure to set boundaries. Otherwise, a pattern of workaholism will root to the detriment of things like family and exercise and will eventually lead to burn-out. Keeping balance also gives you a chance to reflect on your goals - it is normal for goals to shift over time. Without this introspection, you may find yourself climbing the metaphorical ladder leaning against the wrong wall.
About the Author:
Ryan's blog, How To Earn Money Online HQ, is dedicated to teaching online entrepreneurs the ethical strategies, techniques and online business ideas to generate a lifetime of passive income.
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