Okay so I was not really attacked by falcons, but Thanksgiving evening after a full day I developed the stomach flu and it put me out of commission for 4 days and 2 more days to recover. I think I may have felt a little bit how the Owl swimming in Lake Michigan after he was attacked by two Falcons must have felt. But it reminded me how resilent solopreneurs must be, just like the Owl…Resilent and determined. Read the entire story. To survive as a successful solopreneurs takes the ability to go through things that resemble being beat up by two Falcons, and come out on the other side ready to fight again for what we really want. Never deterred!
Photo by Steve Spitzer
Are you ready for prosperity in 2015?
How to Start or Re-energize a Profitable Business
Making a decision to create a successful business is not something to take lightly. Your decision should not be spurred by idle curiosity or a passing interest. You must be committed to it. If you are simply interested, you will do what is easy; when you are fully committed, you will do whatever it takes. You absolutely must decide to create a successful business.
I believe your potential to achieve whatever you want is unlimited. You set goals with your conscious mind but you achieve them with your subconscious mind, that is, that part of yourself that exists below the surface of your waking life. (For more information about this invigorating concept, I highly recommend the timeless Napoleon Hill classic Think and Grow Rich.)
One of the biggest obstacles a solopreneur faces is whether she truly believes she can achieve her goals. In other words, if your belief (at the subconscious level) is not just as strong as your decision and passion, you will never reach your goals. Use tools such as affirmations, future letters, vision statements, and dream boards to send the right messages to your subconscious mind and begin to change your non-supporting habits.
The Law of Attraction illustrates how to plant your seeds and allow them to germinate. However, your work is not complete; you must then embrace the Law of Action. Sitting and waiting for your dreams to fall into your lap can result in a trip to the poor house. Using a gardening metaphor, once you plant the seeds, you then have to nurture the plants with water, sunlight, fertilizer, and regular weeding. It’s the same with your business. You must take action. It does not have to be perfect action; you will adjust as you get feedback. Just as plants will wither and die without the proper conditions, without action, you will not move forward.
Two Obstacles to Acknowledge and Act On
#1 Obstacle is not having a big enough WHY
You may be starting a new business for several reasons: financial reasons, for freedom, to be your own boss, to provide a service. Whatever, your reason you must be passionate about the business you are entering. That passion will help you to move forward when you run into challenges and think about giving up.
Without a big WHY it is difficult to continue to overcome those challenges, and don’t think you won’t have them; it is a part of business. So check your WHY and make certain it is strong enough to carry you through to success.
#2 Obstacle is the Fear of Selling
The second biggest obstacle I have seen put business owners out of business is the fear of selling. You started your business to provide and excellent service or product that you are excellent at providing. But don’t believe in the notion that “if you build it they will come”, it is not going to happen.
You are in business to make a profit and that is the bottom-line. This means that you must learn how to love sales and marketing or hire someone who can perform these tasks.
You can recognize that you are falling into the staying busy trap confusing effort with results if you are constantly doing activities that you enjoy but they are not necessarily bring in money.
You must believe that you are providing something of value and you must share it to help your potential customers/clients.
Become an excellent story teller around your service or product. Good stories engage your prospects and help turn them into buyers. I recommend an excellent book Integrity Selling by Ron Willingham. It can help you discover how to sell in a way that is safe for both you and your prospects.
The take away here is to make a decision to succeed, believe you can achieve success and take the right actions to turn your dreams into reality.