Business Mindset
The responses I get when I speak with clients and prospects for the first time is ‘I know I want to set up my own business but, I don’t know what business I should set up’ or ‘I am scared I might fail again because I tried before and I failed’. Others say ‘I just want temporary side business that will generate some extra income for my family while I still work’. These are valid fears but don’t dwell on them there is a way out.
When starting a business you need to have the right mind set. A mind set devoid of fear. A mind set that says ‘I can make it’. Having the right mind set can pull your business through the early stage when profits are not rolling in or when you get sacred that failure is looming at the next turn.
Before you start a business you have got to be clear about your desire to become an entrepreneur. Don’t go into business because you think it is the next best thing to do or because of the money you might get alone. Start you business based on the clarity that you have some thing of value in products or services that is in demand and people are willing to pay for it. In others words, be value conscious. Know your strength and weakness this will help you to know to some extent what type of business you can go into.
When starting a business, it is important to know that there are some strains at the early stages. Resolve to stand firm and hold on to your business. Remember to have a good system, good capital backing and a mentor/coach to help you through the early stage of your business and beyond. Keep tweaking your business model if you are not making money.
A business can be developed from our purpose and passion. It is my belief that, our life purpose is often times wrapped in our dreams. As you decide to make a move today towards starting a business remember that owning a successful business is possible with the right mind set.
To Your Success
Pamela
Tips to help Deal With Overwhelm in your Business
Being a Solopreneur can be both interesting and at the same time overwhelming. When you are a solopreneur you work alone with probably a remote support or non at the same time. If unchecked, overwhelm and loneliness tends to creep into your workspace. This totally throws one into some sort of dark side where you have various thoughts running through your mind and you see yourself questioning why you have decided to work as a solopreneur.
I can attest to this because I have been there. Recently, I became overwhelm with so much activities going on in my business and I just had to switch off. There was no one physically present to speak with. My first instinct was to shut down everything and spend some quality time with my family.
To avoid having to plunge into this type of situation, it is very important that you have the following in place.
1. Get a virtual assistant – Part of the overwhelm experienced by solopreneurs is as a result of having to assume all roles in your business even those activities that you don’t have expertise in carrying out.
Get a virtual assistant so you can stop struggling and focus on those activities that will help you grow your business.
2. Take a break – When you sense overwhelm lurking near by, just take a break from your business. This could be from few hours to some few days. However, don’t leave the business unattended for too long.
3. Have an accountability partner – Have someone you can talk to about your business goals and plans that will help keep you in check and accountable.
4. Network with other entrepreneurs – Attend events that your business will benefit from and meet with other business owners learning about new business trends in your industry.
5. Get yourself updated with events in your community – Take some few minutes daily and read the papers, listen to news broadcast. Don’t live an isolated life. No man is an island. Take short walks and meet with friends for lunch.
Enjoy your new lifestyle without experiencing any breakdown.
To your Success
Pamela
7 Signs That Says…. You Need a Soul Search
Most people don’t love their jobs as much as they used to or would
love to but, they love the pay check and the benefits that comes it. Most times people remain in jobs that have become boring, monotonous just so they can say they have a job. But deep inside of them they hate everything about it. Could this be you?
Feelings you shouldn’t ignore
1. Always dreaming of owning your own business.
2. You would rather spend more time with your family than with your colleagues.
3. You would rather be involved in doing those things that you are passionate about even if you will not be paid for it.
4. Constant feeling of emptiness on the inside.
Signs that says you want out of your Job
1. Lack of motivation or inspiration in the office
2. You wish everyday was a Friday.
3. You dread Sundays as it is the beginning of a new working week.
4. You are not sure if the job is worth it anymore.
5. You are always wondering if this was all there is to life
6. Wanting to do more meaningful work that will add value to you personally
7. Always feeling like something is missing in your life or that you are not living your full potential.
Before you take a final decision on whether you need a change of job or change in career to entrepreneurship, be sure to speak to a coach and spend some quality time doing a soul search. Better to be sure you are on the road to your desired destination than going in circles that leads to no where.
Don’t let life happen to you.
To your success
Pamela
Balancing Business and Family Time This Hoilday
It is holiday time again. This will be my first time as a mumpreneur
working from home with the kids on vacation. There is no summer school this holiday so we are all home together. To free up time for me to concentrate on my work I have devised some means
1. TV time – now don’t get me wrong. This is not all they will be doing. But the first few hours of the day is spent watching some kids program on Kidsco and Boomerang. While the kids are engaged I am able to concentrate and get some work done in between settling which ever dispute that might arise.
2. After lunch, it is time to do some class work. I got some lovely colouring and writing books at good rates. They are very eager to complete the actives. So the next hour is spent on book work.
3. The kids don’t sleep in the afternoon you can’t really blame them; it is not in their DNA. So it is TV time again or some other time we go visiting.
The whole situation is a win; win for all of us. I get to spend some quality time on the business and they get to watch their favourite TV programs and have quality family time together.
This is how I have planned my summer holiday it might become boring along the way I guess we just have to find a way out when we get there.
What about you how have you planned the holiday both for the business and for your family I would love to hear from you.
To Your Success
Pamela
Passion and Business
Passion according to Merriam–Webster.com dictionary is an ‘intense emotion, compelling action. It is deeply stirring or ungovernable’.
Passion is an unexplainable feeling that propels own to act with affection for something.
In recent times, it has become a norm to start a business based on those things you are passionate about. Some people have argued that passion based businesses are not 100% foolproof from failure infact, they might just be the first to fail. I quite agree with this.
I am a strong advocate of starting a business based on your passion provided; your idea (Passion) has been;
1. Tested for business viability – • Are there people that require your services or products?
• Is there a market for the idea enough to bring in profit?
• Who is your target market for the business?
• Your idea (passion) a product or service?
2. A good business Model – What services and products are you offering and how do you intend to package it to your customers/Clients.
3. Having a clear business structure: Make sure all documents are in place concerning your business. It is also very important that you get the proper advice on the right business structure you should have at the beginning of your business registration as your taxes are affected by the business structure you have.
In business when everything about running your business becomes difficult and there seems to be no headway, Passion is what motivates and energizes you to stay on track and succeed. Passion removes the word ‘Quit’ from your options. Passion reminds you of the reason why you are in business; which is the love of what value and benefit you bring to the lives of others. The money you get from your business is secondary as an entrepreneur that is passionate about her business.
In conclusion, starting a business based on your passion is not always foolproof that the business will instantly be profitable. The business needs to have a solid foundation just like any other business out there. The major difference between your business and others out there is that you have started your business based on your talent, purpose and passion.
If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you.
– T. Alan Armstrong
To Your Success
Developing a Business Mindset
Starting a business is much more than just having a business idea. Starting a business is the beginning of a new lifestyle. A lifestyle of multi tasking, where almost all decisions that affects the business depends on you. It could be overwhelming yet interesting.
To succeed in business you must have the mindset of a business person.
1. Change your mindset: What is your mindset concerning your business? You must remove whatever fears, self doubt and lack of self worth in your own skills, talent and abilities. Purge yourself of all fears and doubts and start your business on a clean slate.
2. Have clarity of your market: You have got to be clear on what your business is all about. What product / services are you offering and who you are offering it to? Who are your competition and how do you hope to serve your clients/customers?
3. Be Authentic: The most valuable gift you have to offer your client/customer is yourself through your services. Offer your highest service to your clients. Give your time, empathy and above all value. Let the client be the focus of your business.
To succeed in business you must do things differently. Add creativity to your business and above all be passionate about your business.
Nothing great in the world has been accomplish without passion – George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
To Your Success
What is your Business Message
A business is the provision of products and services. It could be physical/tangible product or services that cannot be seen but felt and appreciated.
A business is first an idea to the owner before it is materializes.
To have a clear message you must first of all have a clear vision of the business you want to offer. When your vision is clear, you share with deep understanding of your products and services.
Your business message is the medium, through which the benefits of your product or services can be communicated to prospects/client.
In other words without a clear message; you will not be able to;
1. To communicate effectively the benefits of the services that your business plans to offer your potential clients.
2. Without a clear message your business is not able to claim its share of the market. Prospects will only like to associate
with products and services that they understand its benefits and able to get value for their money.
3. To reach out to your clients in an authentic way.
To help more people and make more money, make sure your message is clear and understood by all. I have seen adverts where the business owner merges two different businesses as one. These businesses don’t even compliment each other.
The only way you can have a clear message is when you are absolutely sure of what your business is all about and what services you want to offer.
To further assist you in getting a clear message out for your business lets take the exercise below
1. What is your vision of success?
2. What is your business all about? (Give detailed information)
3. What do you hope to achieve with your business? (Be as detailed as possible)
4. Who do you want to serve joyfully in your business?
5. Does this business blend with your lifestyle?
6. How do you hope to communicate with your clients and customers?
A business plan is another way of getting a clear message of what your business is all about. Be it a detailed business plan or a one page plan. As you fill in the details you will be able to get a clear understanding of what your message is.
Let the message you send out concerning your business be a true representation of what your business stands for.
A lesson in Resilience – Business Skills 101
Apolo Anton Ohno an American skater had lost every hope of wining a medal during the final leg of the 1,500 meter men’s short – track speed skating at the winter Olympics February, 2010. Alas two skaters ahead of him went sliding into the padding. Ohno got his break and won his 6th Olympic medal; a silver medal. Just when all hope was lost he kept up with the competition. He did not slow down, he continued as if he was on track to receive a medal.
The way we show up in our business is very important. The business is set up and you are waiting for the clients / customers to come and guess what, they don’t seem to come. As an entrepreneur when it looks like all your marketing plans doesn’t seem to be translating to cash or when it seems as if the clients are just trickling in do you tend to want to give up? My suggestion to you at a time like this is to remind yourself of the reason / purpose you are in business.
How is your business going? Are you on target as per the business goals you have set for your business this year or have you returned to business as usual with no defined goals to achieve?
Your business might not be going as you have planned but I can assure you that if you keep at it with the big picture in mind – of where you want your business to be, your victory will come; new clients, contracts or what ever it is that you seek to achieve.
Get involved with other entrepreneurs and learn from each other.
Get a coach or a mentor and get the required boost that your business deserves.
Do not stop before the final whistle, the competition never does.
