For some time, you have dreamed of opening your own business. You are tired of working for someone else and putting in long hours at a job you don’t really love. While you understand that launching a company will also take plenty of time and dedication, when you think about actually doing it, you feel both determined and excited.
Of course, in order to become a successful entrepreneur, you will need a number of skills and tools. With that in mind, check out the following ideas and words of advice:
Watch and Learn
If you are understandably nervous about starting your own company from scratch, you might want to start your journey to entrepreneurship with another company that will teach you many of the skills you need. For example, Amway gives people the opportunity to become independent business owners and essentially run their own company.
The company offers flexible hours and you can continue working for them while you are transitioning away from your previous job and getting your new business set up. Through Amway, you can proverbially get your feet wet in the world of entrepreneurship and sample a taste of what your future life will be like–with the major plus of having an established company behind you.
Self-discipline is Vital
Successful entrepreneurs have to be extremely self-disciplined. After all, when you are starting out, you will probably have a limited amount of financial resources, a brand new business to establish and a long list of company-related goals.
On those days when you are feeling frustrated and tired, you will have to buckle down and keep plugging along at your new company–not take the day off to go on a day trip or spend hours on social media. To work on this skill, list daily tangible goals and then challenge yourself to get them done within a certain number of hours. If you are easily distracted, set limits for your TV and computer time and don’t give in to that inner voice that says “you’ve been working hard for an hour–it’s okay to check out Facebook for a while.”
Embrace Risk Taking
While entrepreneurs often seem more comfortable with risk-taking than traditional 9 to 5 workers, it can be stressful to live this way. By opening your own company, you are inherently willing to live without the promise of a steady paycheck–at least until you get established–and make short-term sacrifices in order to meet your long-term business goals. If you are not a natural risk taker, recognize that most successful entrepreneurs take specific and calculated risks rather than make decisions for kicks.
If the idea of living without a regular paycheck makes you break out in a cold sweat, you might want to pick up a second job prior to launching your new company and stash away your earnings in a savings account to give you a financial cushion. Moonlighting to bring in more money will also give you some good practice at working long hours and having a strong work ethic–both things you will need to be a business owner.
Go For It
You have a great idea for a new business and the desire to work for yourself. Now it’s time to take the bull by the horns and get this dream going. By getting in solid practice time with an established company, working on being as self-disciplined as possible and understanding that risks are part of the entrepreneurial equation, you will soon be a successful and satisfied business owner.
Identity Magazine is all about guiding women to discover their powers of Self-Acceptance, Appreciation, and Personal Achievement. We ask that every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the current article they have written. In that way, and as a team, we hope to encourage and motivate each other, thus inspiring you to Get All A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? Additionally, what are you still working on accepting? Now, we’re not talking about resignation, rather stepping into, embraced, and owned.
I’ve accepted that for the foreseeable future, I will probably never have a home that will be featured in a Martha Stewart magazine–with kids, a hubby and 5 pets we have a lot of “stuff” in our home. I’m still working on accepting that my kids are getting older and some day they will move out….which means maybe I will get a shot at that Martha Stewart photo shoot one day!
2. What have you learned to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? On the other hand OR in contrast, are there elements of who you are that you’re still working on appreciating?
I have learned to appreciate that I’m a good friend to people and that I’m always there for them when I need them. I think I’m still working on appreciating how stepping on Legos at 2 a.m. in bare feet just means you have happy kids in the home who enjoy playing with their toys.
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? Tell us not only what makes YOU most proud but also share the goals and dreams that you still have.
My most rewarding achievement by far is being a mom. My two sons make me so proud and I love being with them. As for goals and dreams, I would love to rent an RV one day and drive around the country with my family.
4. Of course, we all have imperfections, or so we think. In truth, we are all perfectly imperfect. What are your not-so-perfect ways? Likewise, what imperfections and quirks create who you are–your Identity?
My main imperfection that comes to mind is that I’m not great at getting enough rest. I have one son who is an early bird and one who is a night owl and so to spend time with each of them I’m typically up early and up late.
5. “I Love My…” is an outlet for you to appreciate and express all the positive traits that make you…well…YOU! In fact, sharing what you love about yourself will make you smile, feel empowered, and uplift your spirit and soul. (We assure you!) Therefore, Identity challenges you to complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
A dear friend of mine once told me “You should never say anything about yourself that you wouldn’t say to a best friend or your mom.” I really took this to heart and strive to avoid all negative self-talk, even when said in jest. I love my positive self-talk!
