Article - Business Tips Part 2

31. Assessment
Review operating information monthly. Check out industry and pertinent economic indicators at least quarterly. Using that data, make adjustments to your strategy and plan. At least annually, perform a total review including your vision and mission. Summarize and document results, commenting on what worked and what didn't.

32. Fear.
Fear is one of the worst enemies of success. When fear wraps its tentacles around you and keeps you in bondage, you will never be able to reach for your dreams. We must confront our fears, see them for what they are, toss them to the side, and pursue our dreams with relentless passion. Conquering fear and stepping forward to reach new lands and new ideas is what makes success possible. What are you afraid of today? What fear must you conquer to be able to achieve your dream? When you realize what it is, take an action that is diametrically opposed to that which you fear. This will confront and conquer the fear by giving you the first step in the right direction.

33. Lethargy.
Quite frankly, what keeps most people from success is that they simply don't have the energy, or make the energy, to do what it takes to move to the next level. They get to a point that is comfortable and then they settle in for a nice, life-long nap! Don't get lethargic; get going! Force yourself to wake up from the slumber and move!

34. Lack of perseverance.
Oftentimes the race is lost because the race is not finished. Success is often just around the sharpest corner or the steepest hill. Persevere. Keep going. One more hill. One more corner! In real estate they say the three most important things are "location, location, location." In success the three most important things are "perseverance, perseverance, perseverance."

35. Pessimism.
The saying is that you can achieve what you believe. Ask
yourself what kinds of beliefs you hold. Are you an optimist or a pessimist? If you don't believe that you can achieve than you won't. Your pessimism will prove yourself right every time. You will find that you subconsciously undermine yourself. Develop your optimism. Look for ways to believe that you can achieve success.

36. Not taking responsibility.
I am the chaplain for the local police department. The other day I went with an officer as he took two prisoners to court. Time after time the prisoners made excuses as to why they hadn't yet done what the judge had ordered (she didn't buy it, by the way). After dropping the prisoners off, I said to the officer that unsuccessful people and prisoners have the same bad habit -- they won't accept responsibility for their lives. You are responsible. When you accept that, you are on the road to success.

37. Picking the wrong people to hang out with.
We can easily become products of our environment. This is why it is essential to hang around people who will spur you on not hold you back! What about the people you have surrounded yourself with? Are they quality people who will encourage you and strengthen you in your quest for success? If not, move on!

38. No vision. Those who succeed always see their success months and years before they live it. They have the ability to look ahead, see the future, imagine the good that can and will come from their lives, families and work. To not have vision is a tremendous roadblock. Sit down and work on seeing the future -- and make it good!
39. Understand that not all business is good business. There's a lot of business out there and a lot of wonderful people to do it with. Life is so much sweeter if you surround yourself with those wonderful, sincere, and pleasant people. Let somebody else do business with the jerks of this world.

40. Allow yourself permission to make mistakes. Don't beat yourself up every time you do. Instead realize that we learn from every mistake we make, and every obstacle in our paths serves to make us stronger and better at what we do.

41. Take a cue from Nike and "Just do it!" So many of us are set on getting ready, to get started, to begin, to prepare, to get organized, to think about, etc. that we miss the chances that are placed before us. If we wait for all the planets to be in complete alignment on a good hair day, we'll never get anything done. I certainly believe in preparation, but sooner or later we're all going to have to take the plunge and venture out into a world where things aren't perfect and aren't always safe. That world is where the opportunities lie.

42. Know who has your clients! I don't mean your competition, I mean people who cater to the same clientele you do. Those are the people you should be networking with -- not every Tom, Dick and Harry at a Chamber of Commerce mixer. Is your target market upper income baby boomers? If so, what are they spending their money on? In other words, whose services are they using and who has access to them? If high-end (and aging) boomers are your target market, for example, you might want to start forming strategic alliances with cosmetic surgeons, rheumatologists, cosmetic dentists, florists, divorce lawyers, therapists, stock brokers, golf pros, financial planners, massage therapists, wedding planners, etc. Building your business is so much easier when you know whose business you want and who else has got it.

43. Finally, if at first you don't succeed, never EVER think of yourself as a failure. Simply think of yourself as someone who just hasn't succeeded yet! With that attitude, you surely will.

44. Have powerful reasons. With a strong enough reason you can and will find the how and the wherewithal to achieve your reward. Reasons plus belief keep you motivated. When you're excited about your goal, it doesn't seem like work. If you're not excited, your efforts will require more discipline and energy. Make sure it's YOUR goal. Make sure it excites you. And then act enthusiastically.

45. Write your objectives down. This is a critical step. Don't think it, ink it. When you write your goals down, they appear not only on paper, but they become indelibly written upon your consciousness.

46. Visualize. "See" your objective already in existence. Nothing can withstand the power of a clear, multi-sensory vision of what you are intending. What does it look like? What will people be saying about it? How will you feel? The more detailed and "real" you can make your vision, the more powerful it will be. It will operate like a magnet and draw forth all kinds of things you never thought possible.

47. Affirm your success. Speak your goal into existence. An affirmation is a present-tense, positive statement of your intended outcome. I now have achieved ______________ (fill in the blank). The more sensory rich you can make your affirmations, the more effective they will be. All of these techniques help you to feel the presence of your objective and build belief.

48. Make a plan of action. To achieve and stay focused upon your objective, create an action plan. What are the steps you will take to get you from where you are to where you want to be? Your strategies will likely change as you go along, so set your goals in concrete and your plans in sand. Keep your eye on the goal, but remain flexible in your path to it.

49. Measure your progress. You can't change what you don't measure. Create mechanisms that will allow you to see your progress. Use charts. Log your actions. Use anything that will encourage you by allowing you to objectively track your progress. We all need feedback -- it's the breakfast of champions.

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