Whether launching a 'traditional business' or an 'on-line business', the hours require to start a brand new business can be long, and the pay-off is uncertain. In the case of on-line entrepreneurs, profitability will only come after months of creating content and cultivating a loyal following. Perseverance and self confidence are personality traits common to all truly successful businesspeople.
How is it that some people seem to be destined for success from an early age, while others are not? The answer is easy - it has everything to do with maintaining a positive mental attitude. Napoleon Hill found his life's work in interview the most successful business people of his day so that he could educate future generations of the success habits of the ultra rich. His conclusion what that people who maintained a positive attitude could literally Think and Grow Rich. For those on the path to success (however defined), the concept of failure never crosses their mind. They have a fundamental need to prove something to themselves, and the self-confidence to believe themselves capable of handling any situation.
The mental side of running a business is, in my opinion, the most important determinant in whether your new company will succeed. At some point, every successful entrepreneur has had a moment of questioning whether their efforts are truly worth it. In the end, those who persevere are the ones who achieve the highest levels of success. Choosing to stay positive can be difficult, so here are 10 ways to find motivation when you feel yourself starting to lose enthusiasm. These are listed from easiest to hardest.
Basic Strategies
1. Find small ways to give yourself constant positive reinforcement. Configure your workspace with images that inspire, write your goals on your bathroom mirror, or set up your email ringtone with a sound that keeps you on track (I hear the sound of a cash register with each email I receive).
2. Create a Vision Board - In the 2006 movie "The Secret", John Assaraf described how he used visualization techniques to help with his goal setting. Although I was skeptical, my wife gave this technique a try and six months later she completed her first half marathon. Creating a Vision Board is quite easy - make a collage of inspiring pictures, images and quotes that represent different aspects of your ultimate goal. Make sure that these images inspire you - for me, I have a picture of a Maui beachfront house, a porsche and my family. Hang your Vision Board in a place that will frequently catch your eye during the course of your day. As I am frequently in front of my computer, my first vision board was a series of PowerPoint images that doubled as both the wallpaper and screensaver on my laptop. Keeping your goals "top of mind" helps you make small choices that will bring you closer to your ultimate goal.
3. Keep a list of the movies, books or quotes that provide you with inspiration. My all-time favorite quote is from the 1989 movie "Dead Poets Society": "They're not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones, just like you. Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they're destined for great things, just like many of you, their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because, you see gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen, you hear it? - - Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary. "
4. Adopt your own personal mantra. Words can be inspiring and hold incredible power, so choose your words carefully. Make sure that your personal mantra includes positive, affirming words that resonate with your ultimate goal. Some people prefer short, primal mantras ("Its go time!!!!") while others prefer more holistic statements ("I am powerful whole and complete within myself). Put this mantra in a place where you will see it throughout the day, like in your wallet or on your computer monitor.
5. This may not work for everybody, but I have found meditation to be a powerful tool that helps provide clarity and focus. Try to find 10 minutes where you can cut all distractions, sit quietly and focus on nothing but breathing. Initially this is difficult, but with practice, you will find you are able to take your focus off your thoughts and just sit quietly. Many people find they operate at a greater level of mental clarity after meditating.
6. Go help somebody - online entrepreneurs can spend most of their time alone. Reconnecting with actual living human beings will lift your spirits, and helping somebody else will help you feel encouraged.
7. Do not over monitor your progress. If you are trying to lose weight, is weighing yourself several times a day helpful? Probably not. It is distracting, counter-productive, and has the potential to cause a sense of discouragement. For the online entrepreneur, frequent checking of their AdSense account or Affiliate Sale is just as counter-productive. Checking your stats daily is more beneficial than checking them hourly.
Advanced Strategies
8. Surround yourself with inspiring, positive and motivational people. Cutting toxic relationships from your life is a necessary step as you move toward your eventual success. Whether you care to admit it or not, all people tend to be a reflection of their peers. Make sure you associate with people who bring out your best qualities.
9. Be authentic - this is easier said than done. Genuinely positive people are not conflicted with who they really are and whom they think others want them to be. Finding your own voice and making yourself vulnerable takes courage and is often-times a long, slow journey of self acceptance that can be easier for some than others.
10. Stay balanced - if you let it, starting a business can consume all of your free time and attention. In the beginning, this is a necessary burst of creative energy as your plans start to take shape. It is very easy to spend all your time thinking about the business to the detriment of things like exercise and family. Don't burn yourself out and make sure to take the time to reconnect with the things that matter in your life. Make sure you are using your down time to reflect on how you spending your time in relation to achieving your original goal. Also realise that goals may shift over time. Shifting priorities are okay - the last thing you want to realize after having climbed the ladder is that you had it leaning against the wrong wall building.
How is it that some people seem to be destined for success from an early age, while others are not? The answer is easy - it has everything to do with maintaining a positive mental attitude. Napoleon Hill found his life's work in interview the most successful business people of his day so that he could educate future generations of the success habits of the ultra rich. His conclusion what that people who maintained a positive attitude could literally Think and Grow Rich. For those on the path to success (however defined), the concept of failure never crosses their mind. They have a fundamental need to prove something to themselves, and the self-confidence to believe themselves capable of handling any situation.
The mental side of running a business is, in my opinion, the most important determinant in whether your new company will succeed. At some point, every successful entrepreneur has had a moment of questioning whether their efforts are truly worth it. In the end, those who persevere are the ones who achieve the highest levels of success. Choosing to stay positive can be difficult, so here are 10 ways to find motivation when you feel yourself starting to lose enthusiasm. These are listed from easiest to hardest.
Basic Strategies
1. Find small ways to give yourself constant positive reinforcement. Configure your workspace with images that inspire, write your goals on your bathroom mirror, or set up your email ringtone with a sound that keeps you on track (I hear the sound of a cash register with each email I receive).
2. Create a Vision Board - In the 2006 movie "The Secret", John Assaraf described how he used visualization techniques to help with his goal setting. Although I was skeptical, my wife gave this technique a try and six months later she completed her first half marathon. Creating a Vision Board is quite easy - make a collage of inspiring pictures, images and quotes that represent different aspects of your ultimate goal. Make sure that these images inspire you - for me, I have a picture of a Maui beachfront house, a porsche and my family. Hang your Vision Board in a place that will frequently catch your eye during the course of your day. As I am frequently in front of my computer, my first vision board was a series of PowerPoint images that doubled as both the wallpaper and screensaver on my laptop. Keeping your goals "top of mind" helps you make small choices that will bring you closer to your ultimate goal.
3. Keep a list of the movies, books or quotes that provide you with inspiration. My all-time favorite quote is from the 1989 movie "Dead Poets Society": "They're not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones, just like you. Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they're destined for great things, just like many of you, their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because, you see gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen, you hear it? - - Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary. "
4. Adopt your own personal mantra. Words can be inspiring and hold incredible power, so choose your words carefully. Make sure that your personal mantra includes positive, affirming words that resonate with your ultimate goal. Some people prefer short, primal mantras ("Its go time!!!!") while others prefer more holistic statements ("I am powerful whole and complete within myself). Put this mantra in a place where you will see it throughout the day, like in your wallet or on your computer monitor.
5. This may not work for everybody, but I have found meditation to be a powerful tool that helps provide clarity and focus. Try to find 10 minutes where you can cut all distractions, sit quietly and focus on nothing but breathing. Initially this is difficult, but with practice, you will find you are able to take your focus off your thoughts and just sit quietly. Many people find they operate at a greater level of mental clarity after meditating.
6. Go help somebody - online entrepreneurs can spend most of their time alone. Reconnecting with actual living human beings will lift your spirits, and helping somebody else will help you feel encouraged.
7. Do not over monitor your progress. If you are trying to lose weight, is weighing yourself several times a day helpful? Probably not. It is distracting, counter-productive, and has the potential to cause a sense of discouragement. For the online entrepreneur, frequent checking of their AdSense account or Affiliate Sale is just as counter-productive. Checking your stats daily is more beneficial than checking them hourly.
Advanced Strategies
8. Surround yourself with inspiring, positive and motivational people. Cutting toxic relationships from your life is a necessary step as you move toward your eventual success. Whether you care to admit it or not, all people tend to be a reflection of their peers. Make sure you associate with people who bring out your best qualities.
9. Be authentic - this is easier said than done. Genuinely positive people are not conflicted with who they really are and whom they think others want them to be. Finding your own voice and making yourself vulnerable takes courage and is often-times a long, slow journey of self acceptance that can be easier for some than others.
10. Stay balanced - if you let it, starting a business can consume all of your free time and attention. In the beginning, this is a necessary burst of creative energy as your plans start to take shape. It is very easy to spend all your time thinking about the business to the detriment of things like exercise and family. Don't burn yourself out and make sure to take the time to reconnect with the things that matter in your life. Make sure you are using your down time to reflect on how you spending your time in relation to achieving your original goal. Also realise that goals may shift over time. Shifting priorities are okay - the last thing you want to realize after having climbed the ladder is that you had it leaning against the wrong wall building.
About the Author:
Ryan's blog, How To Earn Money Online HQ, is dedicated to teaching online entrepreneurs the ethical strategies, techniques and internet business ideas to generate a lifetime of passive income.
No comments:
Post a Comment