Wednesday, April 30, 2008

How to Gain Business Success

Times are difficult. Gasoline prices are up. Food and grain prices are up. Your ire is up and your business… down. It is so easy for the individual and the entrepreneur to decidedly give up. There are times when you feel all obstacles are in your path and the least resistance is stopping. It is understandable, yet an easy escape. There is too much recent talk of recession proofing the business and conducting business in tough times. These are simply titles and excuses for items that are required to operate a successful business.

A functional business is similar to a garden. The foundation for any garden is proper fertilization techniques that help nurture the soil and maintain its balance with its vegetation. Yet plantings will not grow without strong roots and soil. Similar to soil the best nurturing for your business is constant sales and customer care. The more sales and the higher the customer acquisition the easier to pay for people, property, equipment etc.

Other factors that assist in root development and nourishment for your soul and destiny relate to your attitude. Your holistic approach to your business is soil upon which your business grows. Similar to fertilizer your daily dosage must include the following:

Desire. For business to flourish you must abundantly desire success. Recall why you founded your business and what you hope to achieve. Your passion for assisting others is the fuel that bounds you from failure to fortune, fertilize your soul by returning to your desire so that you revitilize your soul. Another nutrient is repeating your mission statement and visualizing the success you desire to achieve.

Believe. There is no better nourishment then your faith. Faith is a component of both passion and love. Faith is your ability to disavow the norms and continue. Good roots fight inclement weather so must you! Thomas Edison did not believe he failed he had faith to succeed. If Henry Ford, and Andrew Carnegie did not have faith our American business system would not be the supreme power it is. And if Abraham Lincoln did not have faith, African Americans would not be free and his name would not be associated with America’s greatest president. In fact, faith was so imperative for Lincoln because his successes did not arrive until after his 40th birthday. Your faith gets you through intense storms but you must see the sunshine well before others.

Achieve. The only manner for success is continuance. My mentor states do not seek perfection seek success. I wholeheartedly agree. There is no perfection. We all face daily obstacles. We are constantly challenged by the errors of our ways, yet the only way to achieve is to continue moving. Refrain from excuses and continue to achieve no matter what the conditions.

Nurture. Gardens require daily maintenance; food, water and vitamins. You too must invest in nutrition. Success is achieved through education. Learn from your mistakes. Failure is the best educational tool we recognize. Many do not believe failure is a nutrient, yet it is the best nutrient. Think like Edison and use your failures as a road map towards new attempts. Education is the one item that no business professional ever retorts. Education is the greatest fuel for business success. Use previous experiences as a nutrient for new ideas and new possible beginnings.

Succeed. I recall a young man that had limited athletic ability. He was reared in a dysfunctional home and loathed by family and friends. After much discovery he found an outlet in track and field. After years of searching he found a tool that displaced the discontent in his life. With much practice he got better and began to appreciate the sport. His success brought about future success. He visualized future success. Within months he became the captain of his team and a four-time school record holder. He also enrolled and graduated from a prominent university. You too can achieve success. You have to breathe it, become it and yearn for it. Success does not come easy. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King jr. stated, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” Take the ladder of success one step at a time by seeing each step, living each step and appreciating each step.

Prosper. Admittedly, each day represents a new challenge and yet new opportunities. However, when your garden begins to show new growth, you stop in admiration. Take the time to reap what you sow. Learn to stop and smell the flowers and appreciate your success. Your ability to stop and reward yourself is prosperity. Yet also understand that prosperity is not only about money, it is your balance of both your personal and professional life.

Our worlds like gardens require constant attention. There is a need to eliminate weeds that shadow the beautiful flowers. Our gardens require comfort during inclement weather. And there is a need for daily nourishment to obtain strong roots for growth. The best gardens are attended. However, the most abundant gardens obtain daily nutrition, bountiful sunshine and love. Give foundation to your garden and watch your business become fruitful!

Blessings.


© Drew Stevens PhD 2008. All rights reserved.


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Thursday, October 4, 2007

Thank you Eureka Chamber


For my friends and colleagues at the Eureka Chamber of Commerce thank you for the opportunity to present to your group. As promised, here is a quick summary of my presentation to your group. Please use the techniques to gain productivity in Q4 2007!

In recent meetings with clients and some of my mentees I am hearing of economic fears. Many tell me that money is not being spent like it once was. Not true, just as much money can be made you just need to find it.

Here are some thoughts to assist you as you seek advice and solace for getting productive in the fourth quarter.

1. Stop manifesting in self-doubt. We tend to wallow too much in despair. Rather than commiserate about a lost sale or lack thereof, read business journals and research trends in your industry.

2. Stop looking for the perfect time to call, the perfect advertisement and the perfect client. Work on success. As Daniel Amen says in his 18/40/60 rule, at 18 we are seeking to impress everyone, at 40 would could care less about anyone and by 60 we recognize that no one cares anyway.

3. Action. Create it. Hold yourself accountable, no one makes the phone ring but you.

4. Risk. Ironically, 63% of us go at least 10 mph or more over the speed limit. We drive 70 mph on a dark and slick road. 81% drink at a social gathering and drive home. 94% will pay our mortgage and insurance late. These are all risk. But we do not spend money on ads, or make cold calls, why we fear risk.

We choose not to take risk because we believe we are not ready. Fact, you will never be ready! Risk is about confidence, risk is about passion, risk is about self worth. If you are confident, you will take the risk. If you are passionate, you will take the risk and if you have self worth, you will take the risk.

5. Holy Trinity of Business Success.

A. Passion comes from the Greek word entheos which means to be filled with God. When you are filled in spirit you are instantly filled with energy and inspiration. Find something you are passionate about and you will make money at it.

B. Confidence is the attitude of 80-year-old women that attends college to get her bachelor’s degree or a Thomas Edison that shuns failure.

Success is easy if you know where to look. You do not have to point true north or west, simply at yourself. Success begins with you. As Loa Tzu once stated the journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step. You must make a move. Live each day in acquisition, live each day in passion, live each day knowing that your success lies within you not in others.


Addtional Success Tips

1. Keep raising the bar
Look for new and innovative ways to achieve results

2. Results are about choices you make
You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.

3. Winning is about hits not home runs
Each day, each goal, each success is movement toward your dream.

4. Be a student of the game.
Learn what you did right and keep on doing it.

Order my latest book on selling. A special discount will be offered only to chamber menbers. Save now. Mention Eureka when ordering I will save you money! Order today at

http://www.gettingtothefinishline.com/products.asp

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