1. Get passionate
If you can’t get passionate about what you’re doing then do something else instead. Without passion you’ll lack the motivation and energy to drive your business forwards.
With passion you can achieve almost anything.
2. Write down your goals
Set some goals.
Write then down.
Read them every morning.
Research shows that having written goals can make you over 30x more likely to succeed. It helps you to focus on the tasks that will help you to achieve your goals.
3. Challenge your limiting beliefs
Never simply accept that “it can’t be done” or “that’s not possible”. Ask yourself “why not?” – and keep on asking it until you’re completely convinced with your answer.
4. Don’t burn bridges
You never know when you might need to use them again. So end all relationships and arrangements on a positive note – not a sour one.
5. Be persistent
Research suggests that, in a sales context, 73% of business buyers say “No” at least five times to any sales person before eventually saying “Yes” and that persistence can improve your results by a staggering 3109%.
Be patient and persistent and make sure your systems support this approach.
6. Learn from others
Step back from the operational issues to watch, listen to and learn from your customers, competitors and employees – and then use your findings to start thinking strategically.
7. Innovate
Constantly search for ways to make your business better and different from its rivals. Standing still isn’t an option in our fast-moving world because businesses that don’t innovate generally stagnant and then fail. Regularly ask yourself the following questions:
- Can we improve what we’re already doing?
- Can we apply what we already do to a different context?
- Can we create a completely new product/service/solution?
8. Systematise
Don’t fall into the trap of forever re-inventing the wheel or making yourself too integral. Successful businesses rely on systems rather than just people.
A systemised business means having step-by-step process for how everything in the business should work. This helps to improve consistency, satisfaction, profits and increases the value of the business.
9. Turn ideas into action
A great idea is worthless unless you take action. Without action there can be no success. So our advice is simple…. go and do something and do it now!
10. Enjoy it!
After all, if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, how can it be called success?
“Starting a Business is a Huge Amount of Hard Work.
You Had Better Enjoy It”
Richard Branson
Richard Branson spent the better part of the last few decades telling people how he became successful. And there’s clearly a constant in his thoughts and teachings:
Running a business isn’t easy. So what’s the point in doing something you don’t enjoy?