Have you been thinking for a very, long time that one day you will have your own business? You're tired of having to work the late shift, tired of working weekends, tired of working hard and still not being able to pay your bills. So you say to yourself, one day you will start your own business; so why haven't you?
Business ownership puts you in control of your own financial future. You set your own financial attainment goals; and you can reach as high as your expectations. Any successful business requires planning, development and timely execution. Many people are unaware of how to begin this task of a business start-up; and to some degree lack he motivation and tenacity it takes sometimes to maintain a successful business. But I imagine you are not one of those people!! Because you know you have the skills and the brains it takes to run a successful business. But something is holding you back; what is it?
There are many reasons why most people do not start their own businesses, but one in particular that stands out is FEAR: a contributing factor to start-up procrastination is FEAR!!!
Fear can cripple and kill your dreams. Too often people are afraid to step outside of their comfort zones because of this. Humans beings are always seeking to make themselves comfortable. We don't want to give up that pay check coming in every week, right? What if you involuntarily lose that job tomorrow, what will happen? Nothing right, you'll just go out and get another job as soon as you can, wouldn't you? Of-course you would. But what about that dream you had of opening your own spa, cleaning business,beauty shop, or maybe you can fix computers; or you like taking pictures; you can even turn a hobby into a lucrative small business by capitalizing on it and seizing the opportunity.
Albert Einstein once wrote that, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."
So what if you decided to use your next job as leverage; a stepping stone to get you started? Doing something differently takes dedication that will bring about change. Learning when to seize an opportunity is also key to your success. Some people have successfully started their own business when they were out of a job.
I'll tell you a short story about a friend of mine whom after fifteen years of driving an eighteen wheeler truck for multiple companies; but never before, felt it was possible for him to have his own business. Recently, he told me that after years of being sick and tired of doing the same thing over and over again, he finally decided to take the plunge of business ownership. A conversation that we had a few years ago had finally sunk in and made sense. What had changed for him? He admitted to me that he was AFRAID. He was not a risk taker; he likes to play it safe. Honestly, to be a good business owner you must use common sense or you can sink yourself before you begin to swim. However; in the world of business ownership, outside of proper planning; there is always that element of risk taking.
Fear of failure, is really the fear of succeeding. maybe you're afraid that if you really tried you might just succeed. Wouldn't it be great if that's happens? Well for my friend he decided to purchase his own eighteen wheeler truck to start making the kind of money he knows he is worth. Sometimes we have to realize that there is nothing to fear but fear itself. So how do we change that "fear factor" in our thinking? Here are some steps to take to help overcome your fear.
- Acknowledgement or being able to admit that you are afraid but willing; is the first step to stop procrastinating. (Tell yourself that you are not going to let fear cripple you).
- Do something different everyday that get's you closer to your goal.ex. (write a business plan, places like the public library or local unemployment office may have the software available, free of charge.)
- Start a what I'd like to call a paperclip business savings plan ( even if it means putting aside enough money to buy paper clips) this is a start in the right direction.
- Consider finding a mentor, someone who has a business and is willing to volunteered their time to help you succeed. Never try to do it on your own, you'll get burnt out. (Remember no one is an Island)
- Find a trustworthy business partner. Could be a family member, friend or co-worker.
- Ask friends and family to help support you financially, or a local investor who can help you with start-up cash. (Make sure you account for every dollar spent in case you have to pay it back.)
- To stay motivated you must maintain a positive attitude. (Your Attitude will Determine your Altitude)
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