Dictionary.com’s definition of ‘entrepreneur’ reads “a person who organizes and manages any business, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.”
When starting your own business, whether it’s a traditional storefront, franchise, or home-based network marketing opportunity, risk is always involved. There is no certainty of what the future holds. That is why it is called “risk” and not “guarantee”.
Entering the world of free enterprise can be as scary as it is exciting. With any risk, there is a certain element of fear that comes into play. Even the most savvy business people question what the future holds and wonder if they should listen to people who tell them they are crazy and making a big mistake.
But always remember this: those who speak negatively about their companies are not putting money in their bank account. If they throw negativity at you, it is better not to pay attention to them.
The key to opening the door to success is to adopt and adhere to the five components of a successful entrepreneur.
1) Develop the right mindset –It all starts here. Henry Ford once said: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” As an entrepreneur, your mindset will determine where you are going and how you get there. To stay on track, it is imperative that you block outside forces trying to pour cold water into your endeavors. The sooner you establish a goal-oriented, results-driven mindset that blocks negativity and allows you to learn from every scenario you encounter, the sooner you will see the best results from your company.
2) Define your goals and mission –Going into business on your own without a clear mission and goals to accomplish is as foolish as taking a trip across the country without a map or GPS. With no goals to work towards, you will get lost … and you may never find your way back. You have to have a reason why you are trying. There has to be something at the end that rewards your work.
And it doesn’t always have to be money. It could be the ability to fire your boss, travel, play golf, spend more time with your kids, whatever prompts you. As long as you believe in your goals and mission firmly enough, nothing will stand in your way to help you achieve them.
3) Apply drive, passion and work ethic –Nothing in life is easy, and anyone who has told you that there is a quick and easy route to success is drunk on their own help. It takes blood, sweat, tears, passion, and commitment to be successful, as well as a work ethic to keep you motivated through your toughest times. You cannot expect the world to fall to its knees in front of you simply because you started a business. You have to make it happen with your own effort.
4) Implement a proven marketing system to carry out your mission and achieve your goals.Without a system to market your products and opportunities, you will not make sales and you will be dead in the water. You have to find a way to make sure that what you are promoting reaches the right people. This starts with educating yourself on how to do it, which inevitably requires a trip outside of your comfort zone.
Remember, Michael Jordan didn’t pick up a basketball for the first time and became the greatest player of all time. He had to work, learn and dedicate himself to learning how to achieve great things. Successful entrepreneurs face these same obstacles. But as any successful person will tell you, the learning experience is what makes it fun!
5) Take action and stop at ANY to achieve maximum success –Everything you learn and absorb is worth NOTHING if you don’t take action and do what it takes to be successful. Many people salute the banner of “being overwhelmed by overwhelm” or “paralysis by analysis” and never achieve what they set out to do in the first place because they get locked into an unnecessary need for perfection.
Without a doubt, you will face obstacles and make mistakes. But learning from your mistakes will lead you to overcome obstacles, which will inevitably lead you to the level of success you want.
The world of free enterprise is full of success and failure stories. And the success stories were born out of dedication, sacrifice, and commitment. Those who failed either gave up before they could learn what it took to succeed or were in search of the next big “get rich quick” scheme. They wanted the “magic” solution to all their aches and pains without putting in the effort required for true business success.
The truth is, there is no magic involved in the success stories you hear. The successful entrepreneurs you hear about beat the odds by dedicating themselves to their own business development. This development then bled into their business and instead of waiting for success to fall into their lap, they went out and earned it themselves!
