IS YOUR THINKING helping you achieve the success you desire as an Entrepreneur, or have you considered that your thoughts might be holding you back? It takes mental strength to achieve success in any aspect of life, and entrepreneurship is no different.How many times have you given up on something in life? It could be playing an instrument, learning to cook, sew or play golf. Reflect for a moment….have you had something in your life that you have given up on?

Giving up is not an option when things become challenging. Nothing great is ever achieved by those that give up. We can have conversations every single day with people that started a business, but gave up because _________________ (insert excuse). Most of the time, we hear things like:

– I didn’t have enough customers
– I couldn’t pay the bills
– I ran out of money
– I couldn’t get any further credit

And the list goes on. While these things may be true, they are NOT a reason to give up.

These are symptoms of things that you need to work on, and if you relate to any of these, you have to be mentally tough and find solutions. For example:

 – I don’t have enough customers – why don’t you have enough customers? What are you doing for marketing to get people interested in what you have to offer? Do you need to learn about marketing? Are you involved in social media? What do you need to learn to get the message out.

– I can’t pay the bills – This goes hand in hand with having enough customers….if you don’t have customers you can’t pay the bills. Stop blaming the lack of cash on your inability to build your business. The real reason you can’t pay the bills is you are not being creative to gain new customers. To gain customers it goes back to marketing.

– You are running out of money – Money doesn’t appear if you don’t have customers connecting with you. Again, what are you doing to get customers coming to you? Another reminder to work on your marketing.

– I can’t get any further credit – This could be very true. With social media, we have the opportunity to provide value and attract interested customers. Marketing isn’t about throwing thousands of dollars into google’s pocket. If you have a local business, have you made up flyers and delivered them? I just saw a man today delivering flyers for ashphault resurfacing. He also rang every doorbell to see if he could talk with people? Great initiative! How effective is this though when people are at work and not able to talk to him? He could gain a better result by changing the time of day he rings people’s doorbells. A simple adjustment that could make a big difference.

I can’t ____________ (insert excuse) is another popular excuse for people giving up. You might be correct in the moment, that you can’t do something….but you CAN learn. Let’s say your business is in accounting. Your strength might be the financial side, but you are not a people person. Maybe you are very shy and have trouble talking with people. Join a group to help you get over it…toastmasters, after 5 business groups, chamber of commerce, etc. Do a google search on effective communication. Find authors you can follow, subscribe to blogs and read articles on effective communication. LI is a wonderful platform to get involved in group discussions, which will allow you to practice with people in your field. You absolutely CAN learn to be a good communicator, or, ANYTHING you want to improve upon.

I don’t know how to ____________ (*insert excuse). This is something that holds people back from reaching their full human potential. I can’t even begin to count the times in my life I didn’t know how to do something. That doesn’t stop me from researching, asking questions and learning how to. Stop buying your own excuses, and take personal responsibility in your life to learn how to do the things that are holding you back. This will serve you in both your personal life and in your business life. It will also build your confidence and self esteem to tackle things you didn’t know how to do, and conquer them. It also opens up new doors for you.

It isn’t working. What isn’t working? Are you testing some new marketing and it isn’t working? Then change it up and test that, and keep doing it UNTIL! Until you figure out what DOES work! Those that give up because something isn’t working, or any of these excuses never live into their true potential. I remember recording a training session several years ago….it was a 1 hr training session and it took me 11 hrs and 3 attempts to get it right. It would have been easy to give up after the first attempt, and after the 2nd attempt I was so frustrated and didn’t know why it wasn’t recording. I took a deep breath, walked away from my office and had a nice dinner with my family. I did some research, asked some experts in that area some questions, and came back to my office DETERMINED to find the solution before the day ended. 3rd attempt worked! So many people miss out on the personal satisfaction one gains by giving up at the first or second challenge. I was determined to work at it UNTIL I figured it out. Because of that, today I have a regular weekly podcast. I would never have attempted that, if I hadn’t pushed through this prior challenge.

It’s hard. SO WHAT! So is working for an employer you hate, or at a job that doesn’t fulfill you. Stop expecting everything in life to be easy. Great achievements are made by those that are willing to do what others are not. It isn’t luck…it is a personal commitment to do what it takes for as long as it takes.

These type of mental barriers come from conditioned beliefs, fears, society, media, etc. Mental strength is something anyone can choose to learn and take control of. In my 30 years as an entrepreneur I have encountered all of these more than once, and many more. Looking back over a 30 year career as an entrepreneur, I wouldn’t change a thing….everything I have learned has made me a strong, independent , self reliant, determined, focused, confident individual. I take on everything in my life with this attitude and it has allowed me to achieve things I never dreamed possible.

We all have potential for a reason….it is our job to find the ways to live into it.

As published on:  http://bizcatalyst360.com/overcoming-mental-barriers-is-vital-as-an-entrepreneur/

IN BUSINESS AND IN LIFE, our minds can either work with us, to move forward, or, hold us back. Very often it is the small distinctions in thinking that allow us to remove stress, worry, anger, fears, limitations, conflicts, struggle, etc.

I live my life based on principles for success. Initially when I learned these principles, I was applying the knowledge to my life as an entrepreneur. Once I got the results in my business I quickly realized that these same principles would create success in my personal life as well….my relationships, health, everything got better as a result. When this happens, it isn’t difficult, or something you have “remember”…it becomes a natural way of thinking that changes everything in a positive direction.

This is so important as an entrepreneur. The most important thing for an entrepreneur to work on is their mindset. Entrepreneurs think very differently than employees do, and it is necessary for their long term success. This is what separates those that succeed as an entrepreneur, and those that give up on their dreams.

I learned a new principle recently, that has made a profound difference to me in all these aspects of my life and wanted to share it with you. Our minds are full of “information” we have picked up from various sources…education, family, friends, media, etc. We choose to buy into much of this information as the only answers, and our truth.

A simple principle I started applying was “don’t make it a thing”. When we make something a “thing” in our mind, our mind goes to work….worrying, stressing, struggling…we can feel ourselves getting angry, or fearful, or conflicts or struggle can arise. This becomes a self fulfilling result….the thought is planted…we worry, stress, etc., and the “thing” that started out as a thought has become a monster in our minds that consumes our thinking. The problem with this is when we are in this state of mind, we cannot see solutions or opportunities…we cannot create, or be happy. We get into conflicts and struggles and may find ourselves stressed out or angry and cannot put our finger on why. It becomes a like carrying a weight that messes with our minds.

It is much easier to take control of this than you may think, and this applies to your life as an entrepreneur, your relationships, your health….every part of your life.

Let’s explore a few examples we can all relate to:

Someone cuts you off in traffic
– Old response – Get angry, swear, etc….come into the work environment “anger” as you are starting the day….employees are afraid to approach you on things, and gradually become disengaged if you can’t keep your mindset in check.
– New response – Don’t make it a thing
I had this happen last week….the person was pulling out of a funeral home and didn’t see me…I said to myself “don’t make it a thing….they are probably grieving and not alert”…. This allowed me to feel more compassionate, I had no anger, and felt like I took personal responsibility for my driving, without blaming someone else.

Your partner does something to annoy you
– Old response – Start an argument…then every little thing they do going forward seems to come back to the initial “thing” you were annoyed about, it grow and festers….
– New response – Don’t make it a thing
Look at the person through different eyes. Is this small thing something you want to hold onto and let it affect your relationship? When you say to yourself “Don’t make it a thing”, it will pass right through your mind and you won’t even remember what you may have been angry about.

Someone makes an error in your workplace
– Old response – Discipline the employee…instead of them learning from the mistake, they are afraid to make any future mistakes, and will not take any risks or go outside of the perceived “norm”.
– New response – Don’t make it a thing
Instead of attacking the employee and making them wrong, Don’t make it a thing….find a way to use the error as a learning experience to raise the bar for that person. This is win/win…the employee will feel better, they will learn, and they will appreciate the way you handled it, which creates more engagement, and loyalty.

A friend does something to upset you
– Old response – You go over and over it in your mind….you find other past and future things to add to the story….several weeks or a month later, you are stressing out and have made a mountain out of this 1 small thing.
– New response – Don’t make it a thing
Instead of stressing out over a small thing that happened, don’t make it a thing….move on and focus on all the great things about your relationship. When you find things to be grateful for, you will notice there ARE more things to be grateful for!

A customer is upset about something in your business
– Old response – Be on the defensive
– New response – Don’t make it a thing
Instead of getting defensive, treat the client with respect and don’t make it a thing….ask yourself what is the best way to turn this client around and have them become a fan, instead of a critic. This helps them and you feel better, and you will feel empowered you handled it so well.


I challenge you to implement this simple phrase for the next week, in all aspects of your business and your life. Every single time something comes up that you feel stressed or angry about, step back and say to yourself “Don’t make it a thing”…move on and allow your mind to create and find opportunity. Let “it” go….give it ZERO energy! When you stop making “stories” out of facts and assumptions, you stop creating “things” in your mind. Operate your thinking on intention…only acting to CREATE, never to defend or attack. It is so freeing, and you will find your state of mind so much more happy and peaceful, while being able to tap into your creativity more.

When you start applying this principle to your life, you will very quickly start to see the shift and recognize how a simple shift in thinking can change everything in a positive direction…..you will realize you have choice and control you may not have realized you had. You will notice you are happier, calmer, less stressed, more in control and are able to tap into your creative mind and find opportunities where before you only found struggle and felt like you had no choice. All your relationships start getting better…because YOU are getting better. This simple change in thought process will change every aspect of your life and your business in a positive direction.


As posted on:  http://bizcatalyst360.com/creating-success-as-an-entrepreneur-requires-the-right-mindset/

A  BUSINESS PROPERTY in my community has been on the market since the mid-90s….over 20 years!!!!!

It was just sold by a local real estate agent, who says he’s been working on the property for the last eight years.

This was a highly priced property, which would be a nice commission for the agent. With dozens of agents in our small town, how many have “attempted” to sell it during the 20 plus years? How many gave up?

In all achievements in life, there are messages in what type of thinking doesn’t work, and what type of thinking does. This is the difference in those that have success as an entrepreneur and those that don’t. What messages of “giving up” and “success” can we learn from this example?

It’s too hard – Compared to what? Anything with a big payoff will have challenges. If everything was easy, everyone would create the success they want. Success goes to the person that is willing to do what it takes, for as long as it takes.

No one else has been able to do it. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done! Just because other’s give up, doesn’t mean with perseverence, hard work, and commitment that it can’t be achieved.

There is no market for it. If nothing else, the property has value. To believe there is no market for it, is another example of making excuses. This property was in a prime area of town, probably one of the best locations for any business to thrive. Success takes looking past the obvious, or what is current, and looking forward to what could be.

I’m going to focus on the easy sales. Sales reps that have the most success understand that although the easy sales are common, it is invigorating to do something others couldn’t. While many people in a sales role “compete”, when you are working on something so big that no one else is willing to commit to it, there is NO competition. You just have to keep your focus and vision, do the work, and eventually that pays off. Interestingly, this is when many will say “he’s so lucky”. In this real estate example, this rep was not lucky, he did the work and was willing to pay the price, and absolutely deserves the reward of reaching the goal.

If an entrepreneur is only willing to do what is easy in their work, they will get the same type of results as others. Only those that are willing to step past what is easy or “normal” and raise the bar in what they believe possible by thinking out of the box, and committing to do what it takes for as long as it takes achieve what other’s only dream of.

As published on:  http://bizcatalyst360.com/how-long-does-success-take/

ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS SOMETHING many wish for, but few actually take action on. Many wish throughout their entire lives they could become self employed, but there always seems to be an excuse that stops them. These excuses satisfy their desire to some extent, because it is a way out so they don’t have to push through the fear and limiting beliefs they may have. I have been an entrepreneur and trained entrepreneurs for almost 30 years, and the excuses I have heard are always basically the same thing.

• I don’t have the money
• I don’t have the time
• My kids are too young
• My kids need college money
• I don’t have experience
• I’m too old to change

These “excuses” will either stop one from moving forward, or, they will become the REASONS one actually takes the step into entrepreneurship.

Those that have the courage to step forward and become self employed, will have challenges to push through.

Being creative – There isn’t someone there to give you step by step instructions. Being self employed allows you to call the shots, but this includes finding solutions and doing what it takes. When challenges come up, it’s important to be creative and ask yourself better questions. Take on the belief there is ALWAYS a solution, and be wiling to think outside the box.

Lack of support – Lack of support comes in many forms. The key is to recognize a lack of support is simply another challenge successful entrepreneurs learn to deal with. This lack of support comes from different places….

1-Banks – Often a bank does not see the vision you have and therefore does not provide the financial support required. Is this going to stop you? Your desire has to be stronger than your challenge. Find a way where there doesn’t appear to be a way. Get creative. Sell something you own to raise the capital you require. If you really believe in your vision, you will also believe in your ability to replace whatever you are selling once you have created the success you envision. Think about this – if you don’t believe in yourself enough to find a way to raise the funds needed, why would a bank believe in you? Sell whatever you have that will give you the start you need. In some cases, by you taking this type of action, a lender will see your commitment, and that could make the difference in approving your financing.

2-Friends/Family/Co-Workers – Are you getting “well meaning” advice from friends, family, co-workers etc.? It is shocking how many times people are talked out of their dream by these “well meaning” people in their life. What they don’t think about is these people are not qualified to give you that advice. If they have never been an entrepreneur, and do not have a passion for what you want to do, do not expect them to understand or support you. You must follow your heart, and recognize that when a person decides to go a new way, such as starting their own business, you have to leave the “well meaning” advice of those you are close to behind, and ONLY take advice from those that have had the success you envision.

Something goes Wrong – In life and in business there will be times things go wrong. This also happens when you are an employee. Many have had the experience of having a car breakdown, and they either need to raise cash to fix it, or replace it. Often they don’t have that cash sitting around. Yet, a car is a means of getting to work for that paycheck, so even when people don’t have the money and this sort of thing happens, they manage to figure it out. When something goes wrong in business, it requires an even higher level of commitment to figuring it out. When I first started in business, I needed a phone system in my office, and a vehicle. Those were my most vital business tools at the time, and without it I couldn’t conduct business. I didn’t have the money. But my “why” was stronger than my circumstance so I found an office supply store that offered monthly pmt plans, and financed a vehicle. You can’t run a business without the right tools in place. The lack of available funds was not going to be my excuse, because my desire for the goals I had were stronger than the excuse.

You may be wondering what I mean by my “WHY”. Your WHY is the underlying reason you are determined to make your business work. For me, that was being home with our kids. I was not willing to put them in daycare, and miss out on watching them grow. I was not willing to just see them at bedtime and weekends. I was not willing to miss their school events or holidays with them. I wanted to work from home and be with our kids. That desire – my WHY – was so strong, NOTHING was going to stop me…. There were many a challenge throughout the years, but I was so committed to being there for our kids, that I became very solution oriented and always found a solution for any challenge that did arise.

Successful entrepreneurs have a positive, solution oriented, out of the box thinking, type of attitude. It isn’t rocket science….it is being more committed, more determined, more solution oriented than one may be as an employee. Those that are willing to put this level of unwavering commitment in, find the solutions they require, and if the solutions are not apparent, they are willing to figure it out and create the solutions. Make note, this doesn’t just apply to success as an entrepreneur…this applies to success in every aspect of life.

As published on:  http://bizcatalyst360.com/what-unspoken-challenges-do-new-entrepreneurs-face/