Monday, September 2, 2013
World progress needs entrepreneurs, and
entrepreneurs need structure. Startup survival rates have decreased in the last
20 years according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, largely because of
over-scaling and overspending. It’s exciting to dive into your dreams with
passion and prowess, and it’s easy to overlook the importance of daily fluidity
in the process. Fran Lebowitz says to “think before you speak,” but “read
before you think,” and nothing could hold truer in the business world. Consider
the simple wisdom of the experts as you embark on your entrepreneurial dreams.
You don’t need a trust fund or an Einstein-ian IQ to poise your dreams for
success; you just need organized planning, practical knowledge and motivated
consistency.
Don’t be a
Comfort Martyr
Sometime since the
industrial revolution, Americans got the idea that there’s something noble
about back-breaking work. There’s nothing noble about intentionally pushing
your physical limits to the point of pain. Roughly $20 billion dollars is spent
each year on repetitive stress injuries that could have been prevented. Paul
Edwards, author of “Working
from Home” recommends that self-starters always make comfortable
surroundings a priority. Ergonomically correct positioning seems like a small
consideration, but the damage can be irreversible.
Make
Organization a Priority
The average executive spends
three whole hours a week looking for things: files, papers, staples, etc . . .
which adds up to almost 3.5 weeks a year. Petty organization may seem like a
waste of time in the wake of your “grand scheme,” but Edwards points out that
it’s one of the most valuable daily time-savers there is. Color coding,
alphabetizing, filing by date and printing labels meticulously can
theoretically save you enough time to take that dream trip to Bora Bora. No one
is above organization.
Minimize
Errands
Since 1982, the time the
average American spends waiting in traffic has doubled, and the trend doesn’t
seem to be going anywhere soon. In the digital age, there are very few
necessary errands left. Look into postage
machines for small businesses to save time and money, order food, and buy
office supplies in bulk at least six months out—this will free up your “errand
space” or pivotal networking opportunities or even a much needed nap.
Get To Know
Deductions
Tax law isn’t fun,
especially for someone who is focused on the big picture potential of their
dreams. It is, however, one of the most valuable sets of knowledge any
entrepreneur can acquire. A good accountant can guide you, but as an
entrepreneur, it’s your responsibility to save and organize all of your
documentation. Good record keeping is the key to maximum tax savings and
painless audits, points out Sam Fawaz, financial planner, to “Entrepreneur
Magazine.” He outlines the 15 major tax laws entrepreneurs should familiarize
themselves with here.
Don’t Blur Your
Ground Rules
Finally, the key to a
balanced, successful entrepreneurial life is abiding by your own rules. Richard
Rabinowitz is an entrepreneur that runs a multi-million dollar enterprise from
his home called “Digital Photo Academy.” He owes his ability to keep his
team—and dreams in line to keeping a strict schedule and never blurring certain
lines: work hours, clean up, even personal calls and family issues are handled
outside of work. This allows for maximum focus and organization. The details
may seem tedious, but learning them is instrumental in reaching your
big-picture dreams.
Most
of all…
Embrace the
Battle of Entrepreneurship
My
famous quote that came directly from my experiences unleashing the
“entrepreneur within” is this…. “half the battle of being an entrepreneur, is
loving the battle of being an entrepreneur.” No one said it was going to be
easy. No one told us that you will come out without scars. My words to you are
to embrace the journey. Here’s how I find comfort in a crazy busy
entrepreneur’s day:
1) Wake up with gratitude. Day in and day out.
2) Celebrate wins and learn
from your defeats.
3) Be thankful that you are
doing what you always dreamed of. Be an inspiration to others.
4) Be courageous in every
effort whether going to an event, trying something new, implementing a new
system, speaking to an audience; do it with courage and compassion.
5) Learn often. It’s so
important to be a lifelong learner as an entrepreneur. We do not know everything
going in, but we are destined to learn everything coming out.
6) Lead with the heart. When
you are a business owner you are destined to become a leader. Do it with
compassion, heart, empathy, truth and brilliance. Shine on!
7) Stay in your lane. Do not
try to do everything yourself, be you. Be more than you can be, but do not try
to be something you are not. Outsource/hire out the tasks that you do not like
to do, to remain happy.
8) Encourage others and embrace
help. People are there for you; they are all around. Embrace their help, their
encouragement, their advice and do the same for them.
It
is my hope that some of those nuggets of #entrepreneurInspiration will bless
you and your business or your ministry.
Now,
let’s go get ‘em!
Join
the TEW Movement at www.tewyou.com
~
JMH
