Successful Entrepreneurship: 5 Secrets From Employee to Business Owner
Successful Entrepreneurship: 5 Secrets From Employee to Business Owner
There are 5 key secrets that have served as a guide for me in many entrepreneurial endeavors over the years. They are particularly important if you have decided to transition from a regular job and a paycheck to a business of your own. This requires a particular mindset and practice very different from going from job to job. Your clear intention, consistent attention, and integrity of actions will determine your outcome. If you have arrived at the conclusion that the freedom and responsibility of owning your own business is path you wish to take, then these keys may offer helpful guidance.
Mindset. This alone will determine your success or failure. It is said that your mindset is 95% of the game; more important than your marketing budget, business plan, or any other resource. It is your responsibility to manage it. Immerse yourself in an environment that empowers you, surround yourself with people who inspire you, and always seek to expand your horizons. This will keep your mindset at a level to succeed. Do this and your very energy will attract and draw to you the expertise, the clients, the relationships and the resources necessary to build your dream.
Intention. A clear vision of your intention is critical. What is the purpose behind your vision? And it’s not the money; it’s the choices and options it affords you. What are those for you? Be specific, and infuse your vision with the feelings of excitement. Make it tangible. It will manifest. This is also where your code of ethics comes into play. Your intention must be in harmony with your personal and professional standards, beliefs and integrity.
Consistency. I used to joke that I was consistently inconsistent until I realized that was the downfall of my unsuccessful entrepreneurial endeavors. Consistence, persistence, and regularity of your daily habits of success, is vital in realizing your goals. Whether they are exercise, meditation or prayer, eating well, task lists, marketing, client contact or study, do them without fail. “A schedule defends against chaos and whim,” Annie Dillard, Pulitzer Prize winner in non-fiction, 1975.
Focus. It is a universal law that what you focus on will grow. Keep your attention on your vision. Do NOT focus on what you lack, your struggles and what you fear. That is not to suggest you stuff your feelings. Fears and anxieties will come up and they are there to protect you from harm, or the other caveman who is about to steal the antelope you just speared. Acknowledge them for what they are and move on; dwelling on your fears will create harm. Continually return your attention to your endeavor and the joy and excitement it brings you.
Action. It is not enough to visualize, to meditate upon, or to ask for the realization of your dream. I don’t care what anyone says. Without action, nothing happens. It doesn’t have to be aggressive, hard-driving relentless action, but it does have to be clear, consistent, and in line with your code of ethics. Listen to your gut, your intuition, and don’t ignore synchronicities.
As Goethe said,”Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” This has always been an inspiration to me. He goes on to say that when you take bold action, help will appear from unexpected places. Look for it.
