8 Helpful Hints for the Start Up Entrepreneur

You have a great idea, but you also have a busy life with distractions at every turn. We, as Entrepreneurs, understand the undying desire to succeed and live the life we know we deserve. When you are an Entrepreneur, it is extremely important to stay focused and positive so that you accomplish what it is you set out to do. Often times we come up with a big idea, share with a potential partner, talk about it over cocktails and convince each other that you will be worth millions by next month – it’s so exciting at the time!

Then reality sets in and we figure out all too soon that 30 days later we still aren’t millionaires. In fact, more often then not we find ourselves living the roller coaster of an Entrepreneurial life before ever reaching that big success.

Here are 8 helpful hints:

1. Stay within your budget – One of the biggest reasons Entrepreneurs give up on their dreams is the lack of money. Running out of money to continue promoting your idea or product can be very stressful. When you finally take that leap of faith and go after your dreams, sit down and write a budget with the amount of money you have. Live within your means and cut out what is not necessary until you have the money to spend on wishful comforts.

2. Write down clearly defined goals and stay focused on those goals

a. Create an action plan that bites off one chunk at a time. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line – set your goals appropriately. There are not unrealistic goals, there are only unrealistic timeframes. For example, don’t say that you will hit the $1,000,000 by next week right from the onset of an idea. Start small and build to the $1,000,000. Make a goal of the $1,000,000 by next year and set smaller goals in between.

b. Stay focused on your goal. Don’t get side tracked by “get rich quick” scams. Stay to the straight line. See your target and don’t take your eyes off of it.

3. Do something every day to promote your idea/product – Every little thing counts. Build an “opt in” database, learn about search engine optimization. Build relationships and keep focused on how to get your idea in the hands of people who will talk about it.

4. Talk to other Entrepreneurs – Learn from other Entrepreneurs. Talk to others about how they did it. Model after successful Entrepreneurs. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel on what works and doesn’t work to promote your idea. Learn from the ‘greats’ that already figured it out.

5. Perseverance – Never give up! Continue to work at making your ideas happen. If you stumble across a few rocks in the road and fall down, get right back up and keep focused on the path to success. Remember, everything takes work. Prepare for the worst and expect the best and decide that you are a success.

6. Track your progress – Sometimes it is hard to see the progress when it is just a little bit at a time. Track the small successes and look back to see what you have accomplished. A little success every day creates the big success at the end of the tunnel.

7. Lean on family and friends – Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people that support you. Block out the negative “always has an opinion” know-it-alls. Remember, anyone can have an opinion, but few actually have the guts to go after their dreams.

8. Create the right mindset (the most important one of all!) – Write affirmations every day! The subconscious mind does not know the difference between reality and make believe. Whatever you conscious mind says over and over the subconscious will create its reality. If you are an Entrepreneur this is one of the most important exercises you can do. Write your affirmations in present tense. For example, ‘I am living my dreams. I attract abundance. I increase my income by xxxx per month’. If you do this one hint alone, sit back and watch how your life can change.

SOURCE: businesslightsideas