1. Commitment to the journey - Here is what I believe
is the number one key to success for an entrepreneur. Are you
committed? What I am trying to say is that in all of my observations,
and from my own experience, I find that the journey is always the same.
It's a long road of self examination and improvement, skill examination
and education. It's making judgment calls about people, things and
situations. You continually correct the "course" until you are headed
in the right direction. To trust your gut, to keep the faith, to make
it through tough times, takes practice. The question is can you stick
it out? Do you quit because the money is low? Do you quit because you
can't find the right people? When do you say it's over?
2. How you treat people -- I believe in this. I don't
think you really have to right to abuse people. Some people think that
certain groups of people are okay to abuse. I am not speaking from a
standpoint of race here either. These people think that it's okay to
abuse "the help" i.e. countless waiters and waitresses, assistants,
maids, children. They also think it's okay to abuse what they deem "fat
people" or people they believe are "ugly". They believe it's okay to
treat "telemarketers" with disrespect when these are just people doing
a job (I'm not talking about rude or abusive telemarketers either!). I
believe that the golden rule is truth that still stands, because truth
will always stand.
3. Love and caring for yourself - Here is a simple
analogy. When you board a plane you are treated to a demonstration of
what to do in case the oxygen masks drop from above. The first
instruction is to put your mask on first. This is especially important
because if you don't take care of your need first, you will not be able
to help others and that includes your children, your spouse or anyone
else. How does this relate to business? Create the situation that best
helps you first. Put yourself in a position of power or at least close
to the ear of power. Do a great job, first for you. Excel for you. Then
assist others, speak up for others, do for others.
4. Education and constant re-education -- I am not
talking about college degrees here. Though they are a great start, you
must continue to educate yourself. Take part in seminars, read
everything, surf the net. Even when you think you've got it, press on.
5. Open mindedness to new technology--This relates to
number 8 but in a business capacity, it is even more important. A
pencil and paper may be your preferred method of working on finances,
but you had better know a few things about technology or you and your
pencil will be left behind. Sure you can hire others who know, but what
you don't know CAN hurt you. Read! You can learn so much about anything
by reading. And if you were tech savvy you would know the internet is
the greatest addition to the library in regard to learning about
everything!
6. Open mindedness to new ways of thinking. How many
times have we seen people, throughout history, hold on to what they
believe is the ONLY way to think, to find the world moving on without
them? It was generally thought the automobile would never catch on;
after all, weren't bicycles and trains more than enough? It doesn't
mean you have to change your way of thinking or embrace it, just
examine it, educate yourself about it and recognize that it may be here
to stay
7. Letting your gut-instincts keep you safe
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