Entrepreneurs such as independent web developers and bloggers tackle many problems. From profession-specific tasks like natural link building to generic tasks like maintaining good financial records, aspiring business owners have full plates. Here are eight beliefs that successful entrepreneurs share.
Cover of A Sense of Urgency
1. From urgency to calm in a snap
No matter the business, clients have emergencies. Whether real or imagined, their emergencies must be dealt with swiftly. This can put other projects on hold, so a sense of urgency is a must. Maintaining a sense of urgency keeps you ready for whatever may happen.
Anything can go wrong at any time. Switching from an urgent to a calm frame of mind plays an important role in how issues are handled. It is easy for even the most well-rounded personalities to let urgency become panic under certain conditions. When panic threatens to settle in, just calm yourself and handle business.
2. Goals are golden
Goals must be realistic in order for them to be met. Set reasonable short-term and long-term goals, and stick with them. In cases where a goal seems to become more improbable over time, review your strategy instead of giving up. Entrepreneurs never give up on their goals. More often than not the strategy is the problem, not the goal.
3. Obsessive about planning
Proper planning prevents poor performance. Plans have to be laid out for everything. A business plan is a fine example of how much planning it takes to stay successful.
Fine detail is part of the administrative and marketing sections of a business plan. The administration part elaborates on data such as intellectual property, place, legal structure, the accounting, insurance, staff, management, and security protocols. The marketing aspect of a business plan covers market analysis and strategy in great depth.
Business plans are reviewed every so often. Asking the right questions in these reviews reveals any weak points in areas like marketing, security, and overall strategy.
4. Fiscal frugality
Pristine financial records are a necessary part of any business. Track income and expenses with precision and keep good records. Make sure the business has enough cash to offer for emergencies because emergencies will occur.
Another reason to keep cash on hand is because of mistakes the IRS could make. Even if they overcharge your business an amount it clearly does not owe, have enough money to pay them while trying to resolve the issue. If you balance your books well in your personal life, that skill will prove invaluable for your business.
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5. Insurmountable challenge?
Where others see a challenge, entrepreneurs see an opportunity. Whatever the main goal, challenges along the way can either strengthen or debilitate you. Which effect you experience from a challenge is totally up to you.
Self confidence is key when facing trials that seem overwhelming. Pushing oneself in areas like sports, learning a new language, and even lengthening meditation sessions builds character. Find inspiration where you can.
6. Failure equals professional growth
Some of the most successful people in the world failed more than once before becoming a success story. Failure can teach more than success. When you fail, that is a chance to reevaluate your approach, attitude, and tactics. Thomas Edison failed hundreds of times before creating a working light bulb. His attitude was that he had not failed a single time, but rather proved that those hundreds of ways did not work.
7. Establishing rapport matters
As a lone professional, you will deal with every type of personality imaginable. Catering to a person’s character is a good skill to develop, and establishing rapport quickly is good for business. Get to know your clients as best you can.
8. Status isn’t everything
Achievement, not property, defines status in the realm of the entrepreneur. Define your status by how much good work you carry out. Are your clients satisfied with your efforts? Did you do more this week than last? Lifestyle, and thus status, is either enhanced or limited by work ethic.
Michael Tomlinson – Link Building
Michael Tomlinson is a professional writer and blogger, with a particular interest in online marketing. With a degree in Social Psychology, he has helped companies keep up their professional relationships with clients and business partners – ever since 2006.
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Filed under: Marketing | Tagged: Business, Business plan, Consulting, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Failure, Financial statement, Internal Revenue Service, Marketing plan, Small Business, Small Business Administration, Thomas Edison |
