As a result of being a home business owner for the last four years, I have noticed a consistent pattern of what makes or breaks an individual when they first start out .
It has nothing to do with their background, and everything to do with their vision for their future. So many people get caught up in the mechanics of starting a business that they very rarely take the time to learn what really will make them a successful entrepreneur. I have compiled a list of ten common denominators, which when followed correctly, will give anyone the best shot at owning a successful home business.
1) Take responsibility for your current situation. It is OK to be where you are right now in your life (good or not so good), but know that it had been your decisions that created it. Where you are right now is all part of the path to where you are going.
2) Once you take responsibility for where you are right now, you can start to take ownership of where you would like to go. This is the fun part. Allow yourself to dream without doubting what you dream is possible. The key to this exercise is to dream from your heart. What do you really want in your life? Not what you think others want for you. Write down all of your thoughts. Once you have an idea, know that what you want is possible. If you don't think it is, take a look around; are there other people who have what you would like? If the answer is yes, then it is definitely possible for you.
3) Everyday, several times a day, read the list of dreams you have composed. Start to ingrain the images, and more importantly, the emotions of how you will feel when you are living what you dreamed of in step two. Trust in your vision for yourself, don't think twice what others may say is not possible for you.
4) Step four is the turning point for you vision, it is where you start to take action. If you are a student of personal development, you have probably heard what I am about to tell you, but it is defiantly worth repeating. It is called the -BE-DO-HAVE- principal. Let's break this down. It states that you have to BE the person you vision to BE, then you must DO the things that person would do on a daily basis, and as a result you will HAVE the things that person has. I suggest you write -BE-DO-HAVE- in large letters and post it in a place where you will see it several time per day.
5) So far we have done a lot of thinking and dreaming. Now it is time to take action. We know that what you have done up to this point has not brought you the results you are looking for. Needless to say, that is why you want to have a successful home business. You are going to require a business vehicle to make your dreams a reality. You have two choices; A) Start a new business based on your own idea, or B) Become involved with a business system that is working for others. Unless you have a great idea and deep pockets, choice A can be very difficult. Choice B, on the other hand, can get you in business very quickly. The problem is what business system do you utilize? A McDonalds Franchise? A Subway Franchise? A online business? There really are thousands of possibilities. You need to find one and stick with it. The last five steps will help you decide which opportunity will be right for you.
6) Perhaps the most important step in finding a business system is partnering up with a mentor who is already making the business work and is willing to show you the ropes. You need someone you can call for assistance and support. Make sure that you connect well with this person.
7) Whatever business you choose, you will be marketing some type of product and/or service. Make absolute certain that you can feel good about what you are going to be selling. If you do not want to buy it yourself, chances are that no one will want to buy it from you.
8) Learn about the owner or owners of the company you are gong to be involved with. What is their track record? What have they accomplished in the past? Are they people with whom you want to associate with?
9) Make sure there is going to be continued training and support once you get started. This is huge. So many companies out there promise the world to get you through the door, but once inside, you are left to figure everything out on your own.
10) And finally, don't take forever to make up you mind on what business to start. Establish a certain time frame to do your research and due diligence on a handful of companies. Narrow your choices down to your best pick, and get started. Once started, don't give up. You probably will not have tremendous results your first month. Don't get discouraged. Give yourself at least one year to really make the business work for you. Be willing to have fun and learn the new skills you are going to require to become a successful home business owner. |
