Oh My God - A Home Based Business - What Have I Done?

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe." Abraham Lincoln. What wise ol' Abe was saying is that you are the axe! You should spend at least twice as much time working on 'yourself' as you do on the project. But what do we do?

Sure, we grab the axe and start chopping. Lets go! Jump in there and run full speed... only to exhaust ourselves and quit short of successfully completing the project, reaping the rewards of our efforts, or making any money. I've been there, you have, too! We didn't know what we were doing before we started the job! How dumb did you feel when you realized all that effort you put in got you nowhere.

OK, you've checked out this new business venture. Asked all the right questions. Gotten the family and spouse on board. Talked to your friends and relatives. Checked with the gods at Google and maybe even talked to some real business professionals. You feel pretty comfortable about your decision... so you make your move! You plunk down your check; you have officially joined the 'home based business' industry.

Welcome Aboard! NOW WHAT?

ahead. The clock is ticking. You are now 60 days into your business venture. Are you going to be one of the 95% that fail within the first 90 days... or the 5% smiling all the way to the bank? We live in a very results oriented society. I want it Right Now! You look at yourself and your business and not only have you not leaped forward... you've actually spent more money than you've made! You must be a failure, Right? WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. You're fine. Don't listen, and don't fold up the tent! YOU'VE JUST BEGUN. How can you judge your business' performance by the current results... when RESULTS come last? Right?

You need to stay in the battle. Don't give up. BUT, you need to sharpen the axe. Yes, YOU! You need to retrain, redesign, retool, reeducate, redo...and any other 're' that you can think of... then...repeat! As Zig Zigler says,"you need a check up from the neck up." Put something positive your mind when you first awaken each morning. Your brain is in the Alpha mode...at its peak of the day! How about your 'self talk'? Negative thoughts don't reside in your subconscious without leaving a mess!

"What the Mind of man (woman) can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve." W. Clement Stone, master entrepreneur. Positive Thinking...always;start today. The single most important skill you can master to increase your chances of success and happiness is...Training Your Mind. Put in good stuff. Audio books on the drive to work, turn off the TV and read a self development book, turn off the radio, you can't fix the depression, hang with positive people, people that make more money than you do.

FACTOID: Your income will match that of the five closest people in your circle! (Ouch!)

Tips:

• Look at the 'balance' in your life and work; get serious about some goals in each of these areas to fix them. Small steps, OK?
• When it gets rough (and it will) remind yourself that "activity doesn't always mean productivity." Plan your work...and work your plan! FOCUS.
• Take some time for you and the family. A little "lap time" for everyone is a great way to recharge the batteries,(for everyone).
• Find a mentor. Listen

"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." Karen Kaiser Clark