I read a wonderful piece today about
entrepreneurship that was posted by Sandy Blomstrom. I recommend that you read it here: http://www.ibosocial.com/sanblomstrom/pressrelease.aspx?prid=376834 Sandy’s post inspired me to write this press
release about entrepreneurs.
Without entrepreneurs, our
economy would suffer dramatically – as though is hasn’t been bad enough over
the past decade or so. There are entrepreneurs
like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Walt Disney and many lesser-known entrepreneurs,
have changed the world in ways no one could have ever imagined.
What does it take to become a SUCCESSFUL entrepreneurs? There is an ongoing debate as to whether entrepreneurs
are born or “made.” I will not get into
that discussion now however.
There are several things that I
believe are absolute requirements.
Preparation!
Before you dive into your new business, be prepared. Will you actually have the time and money
required to operate your business? Do
you have a business plan? Do not only
focus on your goals. Consider what could
go wrong as well. When a crisis arises,
you need to know how you will handle it.
Prevent Burnout. When
people first start out in a new business, they are usually really excited,
pumped up. However, if you push too hard
at the beginning, you will likely burnout.
Pace yourself. Do not allow your
emotions to control your actions. In
this way, when you do come across challenges, you will still have the energy to
deal with the situation.
Be ready for a roller coaster ride. Every entrepreneur has times
when they wonder whether their efforts are being wasted. Starting a new business is difficult, and you
will have both ups and downs. If you
need a brief break, take one, but never stop moving forward. Continue to work toward your goals.
If you don’t take care of YOU,
who will? When you’re wrapped up in the
excitement of your new business, it is easy to skip meals, not get enough sleep
or forget to stay hydrated. If you allow
your health to suffer, your business will too.
Don’t buy into the hype and believe your business will
begin growing right away. Too many
people exaggerate how quickly an entrepreneur can build their
business. No matter how long you think
it will take to reach your goals, it will take longer. I am not referring to weeks or months. To grow a successful business, it may well
take years.
Expect the unexpected. No
matter how prepared you believe you are unforeseen challenges will arise. Keep your eyes wide open so those encounters
don’t take you by surprise.
As for and accept help. We all want to be the champion entrepreneur,
but no one can do it entirely alone. If
you discover that you lack a particular skill to complete a task, ask someone
with that skill for help. Do not allow
yourself to believe you can do everything.
No one can.
When you are on a journey, stop to see the scenery. When you decide to become an entrepreneur,
you should immediately ask yourself why. What is your ultimate goal? In addition, set smaller goals along the way
to give you a sense of accomplishment when you achieve them. When you know your journey may take years, it
helps to stop and enjoy your smaller achievements along the way.
Be aware that you may need to
change directions along the way. If you love your products and
your business, you should be confident that you will do well. However, there is always more than one way to
perform an activity. If you find that
your marketing is not bringing the results you hoped for, find other ways to
market. Do not get stuck in a rut
believing you must carry on in the same direction if there are stop signs in
front of you
Anyone who is totally honest
with themselves knows that starting a business can be way beyond difficult –
and it is for most people. However, if
you love what you are doing and you are passionate about your product or
service, you likely will find it worth the effort. Entrepreneurship is NOT for everyone and no
one particular business opportunity is good for everyone. It's up to you to determine if the journey will
be worthwhile.
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