Eddie Cantor once said, "It takes twenty years to become an overnight success". In the internet age, entrepreneurs can shorten this window considerably, however, the fact remains that long hours and significant effort are required prior to the launch of a new on-line business. During this pre-launch phase, ebbs and flows in energy levels will have an impact on our overall enthusiasm. One day, euphoria around breathing new life into what was once just a concept. The next day questioning whether the countless hours will ever result in eventual revenue. True entrepreneurs somehow find the self confidence and perseverance to forge ahead until their goals become reality.
Have you ever wondered what distinguishes the truly successful entrepreneurs from everybody else? Starting a business is difficult, yet Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson and others have achieved a level of success that is well beyond the wildest dreams of 99.9% of entrepreneurs. These men have several traits in common, perhaps the most significant of which is an unwavering believe in their ability to get the job done. Napoleon Hill interviewed the most successful business people of his day and concluded that the ultra successful had an ability to "Think and Grow Rich".
Having the ability to remain positive in the face of adversity is critical, or in the words of Napoleon Hill, Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure. All entrepreneurs will find themselves, at some point, questioning whether they want to continue with their business " whether their efforts are meaningful. Ultimately, those who choose to remain positive will be successful. This is not always easy, so here are 10 ways to find motivation when your enthusiasm begins to wane. This list starts with the easy suggestions and becomes progressively more difficult.
Basic Strategies
1. Find small ways to give yourself regular positive reinforcement. For example, use your iPhone/Android/Blackberry ringtones to remind you of the things that 'put fire in your belly' - I have a different sound profiles set for each one of my email accounts - for email I receive from my blog, I hear the sound of a cash register.
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. Find quotes/movies/books that inspire you. Quotes have a way of cutting through the intellect and speaking straight to our soul. My favorite quote is, "Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary" from the 1989 movie "Dead Poets Society".
4. Develop your personal mantra - words have incredible power. Put together a short sentence short sentences of positive, primal affirming words that resonates with your entrepreneurial spirit. Mantras can be short (i.e."Lets do this") or wider reaching ("I only manifest the best in my life - prosperity comes naturally to me). Keep a copy of this phrase in your wallet or taped to your computer monitor.
5. This won't work for everybody, but I have found meditation to be incredibly helpful. Sitting quietly for 10 minutes provides a clear perspective on things and allow you to distinguish between competing priorities. The goal of meditation is to stop thinking and just focus on breathing.
6. Reconnect with real humans - the only downside of working on-line is the isolation. You will feel better about yourself if you are able to get out of the house every so often. You will feel even better if you are able to help somebody else.
7. Frequent checking of your AdSense account or your Affiliate Sales stats is counter-productive. At best, you have made a sale and be motivated to continue. At worst, you just wasted your time and have felt discouraged with your lack of progress. If you allow this to happen several times a day, you become distracted from the serious tasks at hand. This is like dieters who weight themselves several times a day. It may be difficult, but try to limit yourself to checking your stats no more than once a day.
Advanced Strategies
8. Develop a positive support network - this could take the form of a MasterMind Group, friends or family. It is important to surround yourself with people who believe in you and can celebrate all of your mini-successes.
9. Ensure there is complete alignment between your core values and your business goals. If your goals are at odds with your 'true self', your subconscious will find ways to derail your success. Finding authenticity is easier said than done, but is a distinguishing character trait amongst highly successful individuals.
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.
Have you ever wondered what distinguishes the truly successful entrepreneurs from everybody else? Starting a business is difficult, yet Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson and others have achieved a level of success that is well beyond the wildest dreams of 99.9% of entrepreneurs. These men have several traits in common, perhaps the most significant of which is an unwavering believe in their ability to get the job done. Napoleon Hill interviewed the most successful business people of his day and concluded that the ultra successful had an ability to "Think and Grow Rich".
Having the ability to remain positive in the face of adversity is critical, or in the words of Napoleon Hill, Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure. All entrepreneurs will find themselves, at some point, questioning whether they want to continue with their business " whether their efforts are meaningful. Ultimately, those who choose to remain positive will be successful. This is not always easy, so here are 10 ways to find motivation when your enthusiasm begins to wane. This list starts with the easy suggestions and becomes progressively more difficult.
Basic Strategies
1. Find small ways to give yourself regular positive reinforcement. For example, use your iPhone/Android/Blackberry ringtones to remind you of the things that 'put fire in your belly' - I have a different sound profiles set for each one of my email accounts - for email I receive from my blog, I hear the sound of a cash register.
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. Find quotes/movies/books that inspire you. Quotes have a way of cutting through the intellect and speaking straight to our soul. My favorite quote is, "Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary" from the 1989 movie "Dead Poets Society".
4. Develop your personal mantra - words have incredible power. Put together a short sentence short sentences of positive, primal affirming words that resonates with your entrepreneurial spirit. Mantras can be short (i.e."Lets do this") or wider reaching ("I only manifest the best in my life - prosperity comes naturally to me). Keep a copy of this phrase in your wallet or taped to your computer monitor.
5. This won't work for everybody, but I have found meditation to be incredibly helpful. Sitting quietly for 10 minutes provides a clear perspective on things and allow you to distinguish between competing priorities. The goal of meditation is to stop thinking and just focus on breathing.
6. Reconnect with real humans - the only downside of working on-line is the isolation. You will feel better about yourself if you are able to get out of the house every so often. You will feel even better if you are able to help somebody else.
7. Frequent checking of your AdSense account or your Affiliate Sales stats is counter-productive. At best, you have made a sale and be motivated to continue. At worst, you just wasted your time and have felt discouraged with your lack of progress. If you allow this to happen several times a day, you become distracted from the serious tasks at hand. This is like dieters who weight themselves several times a day. It may be difficult, but try to limit yourself to checking your stats no more than once a day.
Advanced Strategies
8. Develop a positive support network - this could take the form of a MasterMind Group, friends or family. It is important to surround yourself with people who believe in you and can celebrate all of your mini-successes.
9. Ensure there is complete alignment between your core values and your business goals. If your goals are at odds with your 'true self', your subconscious will find ways to derail your success. Finding authenticity is easier said than done, but is a distinguishing character trait amongst highly successful individuals.
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 online business ideas to generate a lifetime of passive income.
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