5iveTips To SucceedingIn Your Own Business

Starting or revitalizing a small business can becomplicated. Here are 5 tips to help simplifythat process.

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Are you stone-cold terrified of launching your ownventure or reviving a current business? Following yourdream is like jumping off a cliff. You can either stand atthe edge paralyzed or you can jump. But no one wouldever recommend you jump without being sufficientlysatisfied that you are prepared to land.

First, you have to learn to stop being your own worstenemy. Getting over the fear of failure and combatingself-doubt can be the biggest impediment to realizingyour dream. But how?

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Manage YourHeadtrash

You need a plan to manage your fear and self-doubt (a.k.a. “headtrash” )

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riseup.consulting

You need a plan to manage your fear and self-doubt (a.k.a. headtrash, i.e., I do not have the money, I do not have the time, no one will buy my product or service, etc.) so you can focus on your concept. One good tip is to write down all of the reasons why you think you cannot do what you want on the left side. Then go through each item and write down what you will do to change that response on the right side. If you do not have a solution, then commit to reaching out to a bank of problem solvers and trusted advisors the next time the headtrash comes back. Do the exercise over and over again until you streamline the process of overcoming your fears, and refining your resources, so you can focus on your business.

Headtrash is normal and it is okay to doubt yourself. It is not okay to let that prevent you from reaching your goals.

Get a Coach. And SomeCheerleaders.You cannot do this alone and you cannot do this without a support network that you have to build for yourself by building your team.

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You will also need a lot of support. More than you can imagine. You cannot do this alone and you cannotdo this without a support network that you have to build for yourself by building your team.

Become your own coach. Not surprisingly, there will be people who will not support you. This may verywell be your own family, friends, or colleagues. People fear change. So start to surround yourself with like-minded people and start talking about your concept. In addition to traditional business networking events,you can also join multitudes of organizations, volunteer, take classes, and attend seminars to makeconnections. There are thousands of ways to build your team.

Bench the naysayers. Constructive criticism should always be welcome. But when you are faced withconstant negativity, you have to be able to let that go. I am not advocating for divorce or anything drastic. Just put the negative people in a figurative box. Know that they will not support you and surround yourselfwith those who do.

Get a good referee. You need solid outside objective help. You can pay someone to be your businesscoach, or you can enlist someone to be your accountability partner. But get someone. There are plenty ofpeople and organizations who offer mentorship. All you have to do is ask the right people the rightquestions.

Build your team. Determine your weaknesses and partner with those who can fill that void. Some of usare creative but cannot balance a checkbook. Own it. Find someone else who can and outsource thatfunction. Or, if they are really good, make sure they are your first partner or hire.

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Where do IStart?

If you’ve ever been to a large mall or amusement park and unless you’ve been there before, you head straight to a kiosk and look for the red arrow that signifies “YOU ARE HERE”.

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riseup.consulting

When you go to a new place, like a large mall or amusement park, you head straight to the directory and look for the red arrow that signifies “YOU ARE HERE.” Why? Because without that single piece of information you will wander around hoping to find what you are looking for. Will you eventually find what you need? Yes. But at what cost? Try this in business and the only people who will enjoy it are your competitors.

Make a list of the challenges you are facing, starting with the three major problems you need solved at the top. If it is something you can resolve yourself, commit to getting it off your list. If it is something you do not know how to solve, get help. There are millions of resources on every topic imaginable, which can be overwhelming. What if you had one place to obtain all of the information to guide you and answer your questions on any topic from financing to marketing to IT solutions to social media management and more?

Invest in You

What if you could eliminate this issue via resources you never thought possible?

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The top of the list of the reasons why you cannot take the leap may be financially based (I cannot afford it, I do not have the resources, I will go bankrupt, my kids have to go to college, I need to retire). What if you could eliminate this issue via resources you never thought possible? Would you take the leap?

In today’s global economy, there are scores of alternative financing options to obtaining a traditional bank loan for your business. We live in a world with SBA loans, angel investors, crowdfunding, business and local incentives, and little-known private and government business loan programs particularly for women and multiculturally owned businesses. What if you could go to one place to get all of that information? You can and you should

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Invest in Your Idea

So how do you spread your message, vision and passion?

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riseup.consulting

You have heard the saying: “Money cannot buy happiness.” Money cannot buy self-confidenceeither. It is not a commodity but something that you need to develop within yourself, your team,sphere, friends, family and anyone else who has an opinion. So how do you spread yourmessage, vision and passion and get the buy-in?

Your marketing plan is your vision, your story, and your strongest asset. Remember all of thenaysayers? This is your chance to get a moment to sell your idea. What good is it to set up awebsite and a Twitter account if you do not know how to use these tools?

A specifically-tailored marketing plan is the key to your future. Your business may or may notneed to be on social media all day. It may need internal marketing, a blast of external marketing,or just some local handshaking. Someone well-versed in all marketing projects, big and small,solves this problem. Technology changes in a heartbeat and those who are on the forefront ofthose changes can make your business SHINE!

Marketing

Now what?

About the Author - Alex Ruby

So you are at the point where you want to address your headtrash, dismiss thenegative influences, draft your team, and move forward. Now what?

You only have two choices: Stay putor…RiSE UP! !

Alex Ruby is a former corporate trial attorney turned real estate professional whohas always had a passion for helping people realize their potential. RiseUpConsulting is an exclusive boutique consulting firm firmly focused on reinventing,renewing, refining and revitalizing your vision.