How to get your sales team fired up

If your company is lacking in sales you may be wondering how to get your sales team fired up. Your sales team is one of the biggest money makers for your company. If you have good sales for whatever product you are selling then you will have more money coming into your store. On the other hand if you have a lackluster sales team who don't connect with your customers or don't understand the product you may need to look at some options of How to get your sales team fired up.

Getting your sales team fired up can easily be done with some simple training. This training can be done on site making it easier for your sales team to attend. These seminars or training workshops are geared especially for your sales team. In these seminars or workshops your sales team will learn how to effectively answer questions so they are not guessing as to what the customers are asking for. Your sales team will learn how to better interact with existing customers to make sure all their needs are still being met. They will also learn how to up sell or use add-ons to generate more sales with existing customers or new customers. Your sales team will learn new and innovative ways to sell your existing products.

If your company is lacking in sales you may be wondering how to get your sales team fired up. Your sales team is one of the biggest money makers for your company. If you have good sales for whatever product you are selling then you will have more money coming into your store. On the other hand if you have a lackluster sales team who don't connect with your customers or don't understand the product you may need to look at some options of How to get your sales team fired up.

Getting your sales team fired up can easily be done with some simple training. This training can be done on site making it easier for your sales team to attend. These seminars or training workshops are geared especially for your sales team. In these seminars or workshops your sales team will learn how to effectively answer questions so they are not guessing as to what the customers are asking for. Your sales team will learn how to better interact with existing customers to make sure all their needs are still being met. They will also learn how to up sell or use add-ons to generate more sales with existing customers or new customers. Your sales team will learn new and innovative ways to sell your existing products.

Making Decisions about Raises

After you have hired a new employee, you are faced with the decision on setting the employee wage. Of course, this is never an easy choice to make on setting the employee wage and it is the same choice you toil with when you decide on raising employee wages. Making decisions on this requires time and evaluation. There are two basic approaches to giving raises:


• Give everyone the same percentage or dollar amount raise


•  Give employees different raises based on performance and equality between base raises.

One way to tell if you are paying your employees fair wages is to compare your companies' employee wage amount with your competitors. Do some research on what jobs are out there and what the starting salary is at for their jobs.

When starting the evaluation process, you primary concerns will probably be related to hoe much the employee wage is at now. You want to pay your employees enough to keep good ones, but at the same time you don't want to pay too much that your business's cash flow is jeopardized. When debating a few concerns, make sure to look at the overtime laws and minimum wage laws to be in compliance.

After you have hired a new employee, you are faced with the decision on setting the employee wage. Of course, this is never an easy choice to make on setting the employee wage and it is the same choice you toil with when you decide on raising employee wages. Making decisions on this requires time and evaluation. There are two basic approaches to giving raises:


• Give everyone the same percentage or dollar amount raise


•  Give employees different raises based on performance and equality between base raises.

One way to tell if you are paying your employees fair wages is to compare your companies' employee wage amount with your competitors. Do some research on what jobs are out there and what the starting salary is at for their jobs.

When starting the evaluation process, you primary concerns will probably be related to hoe much the employee wage is at now. You want to pay your employees enough to keep good ones, but at the same time you don't want to pay too much that your business's cash flow is jeopardized. When debating a few concerns, make sure to look at the overtime laws and minimum wage laws to be in compliance.

Motivating a sales force

Motivating a sales force can be a very difficult task for any manager. A manager's ability to motivate their sales staff is the key to bringing in profits and establishing a client base. The difficulty with motivating a staff is that each individual employee is different and is motivated by different factors. Here are a few tips for motivating a sales force.

Buy In

Salespeople must feel like an integral part of a company if they are going to be motivated to sell that company's products. Selling can be a very tedious and defeating job, and it is easy for employees to feel more used than helpful. Giving a salesperson as much information about company growth and product strength as possible will help them feel like they are helping the company to grow. This will create a buy in for employees and help them to become passionate about the products they are selling.

Motivating a sales force can be a very difficult task for any manager. A manager's ability to motivate their sales staff is the key to bringing in profits and establishing a client base. The difficulty with motivating a staff is that each individual employee is different and is motivated by different factors. Here are a few tips for motivating a sales force.

Buy In

Salespeople must feel like an integral part of a company if they are going to be motivated to sell that company's products. Selling can be a very tedious and defeating job, and it is easy for employees to feel more used than helpful. Giving a salesperson as much information about company growth and product strength as possible will help them feel like they are helping the company to grow. This will create a buy in for employees and help them to become passionate about the products they are selling.

Tips for introducing profit sharing as a reward

For some companies, particularly lucrative companies with stable profits, profit sharing is a great benefit to offer employees. If you have met with the executives of your company and you have decided that profit sharing is a good option for your company, the next thing to do is schedule at time to present profit sharing to the employees. Below are some tips for how you might go about introducing profit sharing.

Define profit sharing-there are misconceptions about profit sharing so you will need to carefully explain what profit sharing is. One of the most common misconceptions about profit sharing is that profit sharing and stock options are the same thing. Explain to your employee that profit sharing is a payment made every year (or every quarter-what ever works for your company) and that a proportion of the company's profits will be divided up among all employees. They should understand the difference between profit sharing and bonuses. For example, profit sharing is not based on merit. The only thing that you need to do to receive your share of the goods is maintain employment. When you make the presentation, give plenty of examples. Show what a million dollar year looks like, what percentage of that profit will be shared with employees and what each employee could expect to receive. Then do the same thing for a one hundred thousand dollar year.

For some companies, particularly lucrative companies with stable profits, profit sharing is a great benefit to offer employees. If you have met with the executives of your company and you have decided that profit sharing is a good option for your company, the next thing to do is schedule at time to present profit sharing to the employees. Below are some tips for how you might go about introducing profit sharing.

Define profit sharing-there are misconceptions about profit sharing so you will need to carefully explain what profit sharing is. One of the most common misconceptions about profit sharing is that profit sharing and stock options are the same thing. Explain to your employee that profit sharing is a payment made every year (or every quarter-what ever works for your company) and that a proportion of the company's profits will be divided up among all employees. They should understand the difference between profit sharing and bonuses. For example, profit sharing is not based on merit. The only thing that you need to do to receive your share of the goods is maintain employment. When you make the presentation, give plenty of examples. Show what a million dollar year looks like, what percentage of that profit will be shared with employees and what each employee could expect to receive. Then do the same thing for a one hundred thousand dollar year.

Tips for appropriately awarding achievements

There are so many different things that can help your employees feel more appreciated. One way that your employees can feel more appreciated is if they are awarded for their achievements. If you are looking for different ways to award your employee's achievements there are some things you will want to know. Here are some tips for appropriately awarding achievements.

The first tip for appropriately awarding achievements is to make sure that you recognize what your employees are doing. For example if your employees do a great job on a project make sure that you do something nice for them to let them know that their work is appreciated and that it was noticed. You can do this by getting a gift certificate to a restaurant that has enough money on it for two people. You can also give them a gift basket that has different goodies in it. Or something along these lines that will let your employees knows that you have recognized their achievements.

There are so many different things that can help your employees feel more appreciated. One way that your employees can feel more appreciated is if they are awarded for their achievements. If you are looking for different ways to award your employee's achievements there are some things you will want to know. Here are some tips for appropriately awarding achievements.

The first tip for appropriately awarding achievements is to make sure that you recognize what your employees are doing. For example if your employees do a great job on a project make sure that you do something nice for them to let them know that their work is appreciated and that it was noticed. You can do this by getting a gift certificate to a restaurant that has enough money on it for two people. You can also give them a gift basket that has different goodies in it. Or something along these lines that will let your employees knows that you have recognized their achievements.

Tips for building motivation

We could all use some tips on being better motivators. What does a motivator do, after all? A motivator helps to provide motives for a person to accomplish a difficult or unwelcome task. That's one simple definition, at least, and the one we'll use for this short article. So, let's look at it closer.

I'm nobody, personality-wise; how am I supposed to motivate someone to do something they don't want to do?

We could all use some tips on being better motivators. What does a motivator do, after all? A motivator helps to provide motives for a person to accomplish a difficult or unwelcome task. That's one simple definition, at least, and the one we'll use for this short article. So, let's look at it closer.

I'm nobody, personality-wise; how am I supposed to motivate someone to do something they don't want to do?

Tips for motivating your employees long term

A positive work environment can help to motivate employees. A work environment where office politics are practiced daily have a negative effect on employee's motivation along with office morale. If employees do not respect on another they are more likely to participate in spreading rumors and taking credit for other peoples work. But if you can create a positive atmosphere and encourage employees to be a team, employees will begin to act and work as a team and also strengthen employee relations.
Look for opportunities to encourage positive interactions among employees, such as celebrate birthdays and weddings as a group. Allowing fun situations to occur among employees will give them the chance to get know each other on a personal level. Humor can also help to create a more positive work environment. Seeing the lighter side of things and being able to laugh at yourself can ease some of the stresses.
Communicate openly with employees and encourage employees to openly communicate with each other. Provide opportunities for people to make decisions about their job and work environment. Allowing employees to express their opinions and ideas about workplace policies and procedures can motivate employees to be more positive. Expressing opinions and ideas lets the employee know he is a valued member of a team and even if his ideas are not used, he was given the opportunity to be heard.

A positive work environment can help to motivate employees. A work environment where office politics are practiced daily have a negative effect on employee's motivation along with office morale. If employees do not respect on another they are more likely to participate in spreading rumors and taking credit for other peoples work. But if you can create a positive atmosphere and encourage employees to be a team, employees will begin to act and work as a team and also strengthen employee relations.
Look for opportunities to encourage positive interactions among employees, such as celebrate birthdays and weddings as a group. Allowing fun situations to occur among employees will give them the chance to get know each other on a personal level. Humor can also help to create a more positive work environment. Seeing the lighter side of things and being able to laugh at yourself can ease some of the stresses.
Communicate openly with employees and encourage employees to openly communicate with each other. Provide opportunities for people to make decisions about their job and work environment. Allowing employees to express their opinions and ideas about workplace policies and procedures can motivate employees to be more positive. Expressing opinions and ideas lets the employee know he is a valued member of a team and even if his ideas are not used, he was given the opportunity to be heard.

Motivating your employees to think creatively

To motivate employees to think more creatively, you must first establish a positive work relationship. Having a positive work relationship will help to establish a positive work environment which will help promote creativity. There are six key factors to help build a positive work relationship.
1. Trust. When people are in trusting relationships they seek advice and input from one another. Also when people trust each other they openly discuss successes and failures and try to learn from them.

To motivate employees to think more creatively, you must first establish a positive work relationship. Having a positive work relationship will help to establish a positive work environment which will help promote creativity. There are six key factors to help build a positive work relationship.
1. Trust. When people are in trusting relationships they seek advice and input from one another. Also when people trust each other they openly discuss successes and failures and try to learn from them.

Converting to alternative fuels

Of course it sounds like a good idea to convert to alternative fuels. Alternative fuels are better for the environment, easier to access or create, and some fuels can pro-long the life of your automobiles. But there are often costs to be considered while making changes. Regardless of how good alternative fuels are, you need to know if converting your current fleet to alternative fuels is going to be worth the investment.

Converting to alternative fuels combines personal opinion, financial resources, and feasibility. There are advantages and disadvantages to the decision of converting to alternative fuels. These differences vary from business to business and person to person. As you try to make the most informed decision possible, consider the following examples of advantages and disadvantages to converting to alternative fuels:

Of course it sounds like a good idea to convert to alternative fuels. Alternative fuels are better for the environment, easier to access or create, and some fuels can pro-long the life of your automobiles. But there are often costs to be considered while making changes. Regardless of how good alternative fuels are, you need to know if converting your current fleet to alternative fuels is going to be worth the investment.

Converting to alternative fuels combines personal opinion, financial resources, and feasibility. There are advantages and disadvantages to the decision of converting to alternative fuels. These differences vary from business to business and person to person. As you try to make the most informed decision possible, consider the following examples of advantages and disadvantages to converting to alternative fuels:

2 way pagers - good for your business?

The topic of this article is whether or not two-way pagers are a good idea for your business. Now, when we are talking about two way pagers, we aren't talking about the pager that your first boss owned when you were sixteen and working at the mall. When you think about a pager, you are probably thinking about that small yet bulky black box that was hooked onto the belt buckle, that didn't do a whole lot except for beep and flash a phone number that you were supposed to call when someone wanted you, like your boss or your mother if you were out past your curfew.

The topic of this article is whether or not two-way pagers are a good idea for your business. Now, when we are talking about two way pagers, we aren't talking about the pager that your first boss owned when you were sixteen and working at the mall. When you think about a pager, you are probably thinking about that small yet bulky black box that was hooked onto the belt buckle, that didn't do a whole lot except for beep and flash a phone number that you were supposed to call when someone wanted you, like your boss or your mother if you were out past your curfew.

Should You Pay Stock Options?

It used to be that stock options were reserved only for executives or members of top management. However, more and more employers are opting to offer stock options to all employees as part of their compensation package. In fact, more than 10 million American workers receive stock options as part of their compensation or as bonuses.

What Are Stock Options?
Stock options give employees the right to buy a specific number of shares of their company's stock during a time and at a price that the employer specifies. The price the company sets on the stock, also referred to as the grant or strike price, is offered to employees at a discounted price. This price is most often the market price of the stock at the time the employee is given the stock options. After a certain amount of time, an employee can elect to cash in his stock options. The idea behind this is that the stock price will have gone up during that amount of time, so the employee will be able to sell them at a higher price, thus yielding a profit.

It used to be that stock options were reserved only for executives or members of top management. However, more and more employers are opting to offer stock options to all employees as part of their compensation package. In fact, more than 10 million American workers receive stock options as part of their compensation or as bonuses.

What Are Stock Options?
Stock options give employees the right to buy a specific number of shares of their company's stock during a time and at a price that the employer specifies. The price the company sets on the stock, also referred to as the grant or strike price, is offered to employees at a discounted price. This price is most often the market price of the stock at the time the employee is given the stock options. After a certain amount of time, an employee can elect to cash in his stock options. The idea behind this is that the stock price will have gone up during that amount of time, so the employee will be able to sell them at a higher price, thus yielding a profit.

Should You Pay Bonuses? How Much and to Whom?

An employee bonus can be a motivating factor for any employee and is an excellent way to boost performance, build loyalty in employees, and motivate employees to reach goals. However, if handed out incorrectly, a bonus can be ineffective in regards to motivation as well as a waste of money for employers.

When Should You Pay Bonuses?
Many people believe that in order for bonuses to be effective motivational tools, they should be given solely based on performance. An employee who, for example, knows that he will receive a 10% bonus at the end of the year if he reaches his sales quotas will be more likely to work harder and increase performance than an employee who is given a 10% Christmas bonus each year, regardless of performance. When a bonus is commonplace and not based on performance, it can become expected as a part of the salary instead of what it truly is - a reward for above-average work.

An employee bonus can be a motivating factor for any employee and is an excellent way to boost performance, build loyalty in employees, and motivate employees to reach goals. However, if handed out incorrectly, a bonus can be ineffective in regards to motivation as well as a waste of money for employers.

When Should You Pay Bonuses?
Many people believe that in order for bonuses to be effective motivational tools, they should be given solely based on performance. An employee who, for example, knows that he will receive a 10% bonus at the end of the year if he reaches his sales quotas will be more likely to work harder and increase performance than an employee who is given a 10% Christmas bonus each year, regardless of performance. When a bonus is commonplace and not based on performance, it can become expected as a part of the salary instead of what it truly is - a reward for above-average work.

What to look for when buying logo-embroidered shirts for your business

Whether we like it or not, we are strongly influenced by what we see. You would not look for a fancy French restaurant between a grungy tattoo parlor and a run-down bar. You would look next to an elegant hotel or quaint boutique. You would expect the restaurant to look sophisticated and inviting from the moment you saw it.

The same is true in business attire. You want your appearance to say something about your company-the kinds of things you stand for, as well as the kind of people you are. You want to look professional, trustworthy, and educated. But at the same time, you want to look approachable, friendly and relaxed.

Whether we like it or not, we are strongly influenced by what we see. You would not look for a fancy French restaurant between a grungy tattoo parlor and a run-down bar. You would look next to an elegant hotel or quaint boutique. You would expect the restaurant to look sophisticated and inviting from the moment you saw it.

The same is true in business attire. You want your appearance to say something about your company-the kinds of things you stand for, as well as the kind of people you are. You want to look professional, trustworthy, and educated. But at the same time, you want to look approachable, friendly and relaxed.

How To Choose The Best Holiday Gift Basket

Choosing a memorable gift is often a challenge. Here are some tips to help you select a gift basket that will cause the recipient to remember you positively for years!

If you're like most people, there's a gift basket or some corporate gift baskets on your shopping list this holiday season.

After carefully researching the gift basket industry, and talking to a number of suppliers within it, here are some insider tips we've discovered to help you choose a gift basket the recipient will appreciate and remember for years to come:

Choosing a memorable gift is often a challenge. Here are some tips to help you select a gift basket that will cause the recipient to remember you positively for years!

If you're like most people, there's a gift basket or some corporate gift baskets on your shopping list this holiday season.

After carefully researching the gift basket industry, and talking to a number of suppliers within it, here are some insider tips we've discovered to help you choose a gift basket the recipient will appreciate and remember for years to come:

The Secret Weapon For Gaining Wealth

Recently a friend of mine was talking about all the
opportunities that seem to come her way without her even
searching for them. For example, someone tells her about a
house she can buy as a rental property investment. Next
thing you know, someone else tells her about another one.
Then, she’s at a spa one day talking to the spa owner and
now she’s investing in owning a spa.

Recently a friend of mine was talking about all the
opportunities that seem to come her way without her even
searching for them. For example, someone tells her about a
house she can buy as a rental property investment. Next
thing you know, someone else tells her about another one.
Then, she’s at a spa one day talking to the spa owner and
now she’s investing in owning a spa.

Motivational Operations

There's an inexorable law operating in business. I call it the law of UP ·Unfulfilled Potential. One can see aspects of this law working in other areas:

For instance, in neurophysiology, humans are supposed to use only a fraction of our brains' capabilities; in technology, superconductivity is not yet widely available; and in medicine, the harnessing of the body's abilities to fight cancers is only just beginning to be understood and realized.

But the law of UP is particularly dominant in the business world ·and especially in operations. Operations is the blocking and tackling of any organization, the fundamentals that create the foundation for consistent success.

It's such an important function that in many companies the Chief Operating Officer is usually the next in line for the job of CEO. If a company is not doing operations well, all of its other functions are diminished.

Having consulted with operations leaders in a variety of top companies for two decades, I've seen that many are unfortunately strict adherents to the law of UP ·for one main reason: They've neglected an all-important results-driver, motivation.

There's an inexorable law operating in business. I call it the law of UP ·Unfulfilled Potential. One can see aspects of this law working in other areas:

For instance, in neurophysiology, humans are supposed to use only a fraction of our brains' capabilities; in technology, superconductivity is not yet widely available; and in medicine, the harnessing of the body's abilities to fight cancers is only just beginning to be understood and realized.

But the law of UP is particularly dominant in the business world ·and especially in operations. Operations is the blocking and tackling of any organization, the fundamentals that create the foundation for consistent success.

It's such an important function that in many companies the Chief Operating Officer is usually the next in line for the job of CEO. If a company is not doing operations well, all of its other functions are diminished.

Having consulted with operations leaders in a variety of top companies for two decades, I've seen that many are unfortunately strict adherents to the law of UP ·for one main reason: They've neglected an all-important results-driver, motivation.

Are Creative Stereotypes Holding You Back?

Here's a quick quiz:

1) When I see a sunrise, I'm moved to:
A. Compose a poem.
B. Try and capture the beauty with my paints and brush.
C. Stumble drunkenly into bed -- boy that party was a lot of fun.
D. Cover my face with my pillow and go back to sleep. Who in their right mind gets up early enough to look at sunrises?

2) At work, I'm the person my coworkers go to when they need someone to:
A. Think up a new theme for the office party (especially if they want it to be a bit wild and off the wall).
B. Get people excited for the party.
C. Organize the party.
D. Clean up after the party.

3) In school, I was considered one of the:
A. Brains.
B. Jocks.
C. Nerds.
D. Nothing. I was kicked out my sophomore year.

Now take this test again and write down what you think a creative person would choose as his or her answer.

Scoring: Well, there's no real scoring here. The point is to get you thinking about creativity and stereotypes.

In another creativity article I wrote, "Quiz: Are Your Creative?", I pointed out that the biggest difference between creative people and those who aren't is creative people believe they're creative and uncreative people believe they aren't.

Here's a quick quiz:

1) When I see a sunrise, I'm moved to:
A. Compose a poem.
B. Try and capture the beauty with my paints and brush.
C. Stumble drunkenly into bed -- boy that party was a lot of fun.
D. Cover my face with my pillow and go back to sleep. Who in their right mind gets up early enough to look at sunrises?

2) At work, I'm the person my coworkers go to when they need someone to:
A. Think up a new theme for the office party (especially if they want it to be a bit wild and off the wall).
B. Get people excited for the party.
C. Organize the party.
D. Clean up after the party.

3) In school, I was considered one of the:
A. Brains.
B. Jocks.
C. Nerds.
D. Nothing. I was kicked out my sophomore year.

Now take this test again and write down what you think a creative person would choose as his or her answer.

Scoring: Well, there's no real scoring here. The point is to get you thinking about creativity and stereotypes.

In another creativity article I wrote, "Quiz: Are Your Creative?", I pointed out that the biggest difference between creative people and those who aren't is creative people believe they're creative and uncreative people believe they aren't.

Personal Branding Secrets for Women Who Want the Corner Office

Most women think that if they work hard that they’ll be rewarded with the career of their dreams. Unfortunately that’s not the way it works in the real world called business. Women must learn how to effectively tell the world what they bring to the table in terms of strengths and expertise. They must also be able to explain how their strengths add value to the department and for the organization…and, FINALLY they must be able to express where they want to go within the organization and industry.

Little girls are often taught to be seen and not heard. To experience success, women must be able to find the right balance of confidence that allows them to communicate and market themselves successfully without feeling as though they just belittled the world! That means erasing those old tapes that keep you from embracing your responsibility for your success.

Women have to learn to be bold in the way that they communicate in the business world. There is nothing wrong with taking credit for results that happen under your leadership.

Here are five of the most powerful steps to help women develop and market their personal brand.

Most women think that if they work hard that they’ll be rewarded with the career of their dreams. Unfortunately that’s not the way it works in the real world called business. Women must learn how to effectively tell the world what they bring to the table in terms of strengths and expertise. They must also be able to explain how their strengths add value to the department and for the organization…and, FINALLY they must be able to express where they want to go within the organization and industry.

Little girls are often taught to be seen and not heard. To experience success, women must be able to find the right balance of confidence that allows them to communicate and market themselves successfully without feeling as though they just belittled the world! That means erasing those old tapes that keep you from embracing your responsibility for your success.

Women have to learn to be bold in the way that they communicate in the business world. There is nothing wrong with taking credit for results that happen under your leadership.

Here are five of the most powerful steps to help women develop and market their personal brand.

Thriving in 2005: Becoming a Phenomenal Women Leader on Her Way to the Top!

How many of you are tired of the traditional top down leadership style? Research says a lot of people are tired of the traditional leadership style. In fact, according to the Gallop organization, 80% of all employees wake up on Monday morning and don’t want to go to work. The primary reason for employees who don’t to be at work is what? You guessed it, the boss! With this kind of data who would disagree that this leadership model doesn’t work anymore? Make 2005 the year you become the best leader possible and get ready to experience phenomenal career success. How? Adopt a new leadership style.

After years of research and hundreds of interviews, I am convinced that this new model will blend the best of the male and female styles. I called this new leadership style, the hybrid leader. America’s future is contingent on the workforce getting this new leadership model right. America needs employees to be happy about going to work. Why? Happy employees are more productive, go figure. The research shows that 1 out 9 employees have thought about physically harming a fellow employee. When people are thinking about hurting each other they can’t be thinking about innovative ways to add value to the business. And if this information is not compelling enough think about one more data point: 1 out of 3 employees is depressed and they don’t even know it (Psychology Magazine).

How many of you are tired of the traditional top down leadership style? Research says a lot of people are tired of the traditional leadership style. In fact, according to the Gallop organization, 80% of all employees wake up on Monday morning and don’t want to go to work. The primary reason for employees who don’t to be at work is what? You guessed it, the boss! With this kind of data who would disagree that this leadership model doesn’t work anymore? Make 2005 the year you become the best leader possible and get ready to experience phenomenal career success. How? Adopt a new leadership style.

After years of research and hundreds of interviews, I am convinced that this new model will blend the best of the male and female styles. I called this new leadership style, the hybrid leader. America’s future is contingent on the workforce getting this new leadership model right. America needs employees to be happy about going to work. Why? Happy employees are more productive, go figure. The research shows that 1 out 9 employees have thought about physically harming a fellow employee. When people are thinking about hurting each other they can’t be thinking about innovative ways to add value to the business. And if this information is not compelling enough think about one more data point: 1 out of 3 employees is depressed and they don’t even know it (Psychology Magazine).

The ONE Thing YOU Should Focus On Right Now

Let me just start out by saying that I cant tell you what that "one thing" is. It is for you to choose, and for you to do.

There's a lot of talk out there among the 'experts' - about how to get rich, how to become successful, how to do this or how to do that. It's very easy to get distracted, and even easier to become overwhelmed. "Information Overload", they call it.

The truth is, there are A LOT of viable business ideas out there. There are MANY ways to become successful - or wealthy. There is TONS of potential in online marketing. And there's still PLENTY of room for you to step in and claim your fortune.

The question is: What are you going to do?

You could:

- write a book or an ebook
- promote affiliate programs via PPC
- sell products on eBay
- create & optimize content-rich sites in niche markets
- build an empire of mini-sites
- become a public speaker
- be a web designer, copywriter or VA

Let me just start out by saying that I cant tell you what that "one thing" is. It is for you to choose, and for you to do.

There's a lot of talk out there among the 'experts' - about how to get rich, how to become successful, how to do this or how to do that. It's very easy to get distracted, and even easier to become overwhelmed. "Information Overload", they call it.

The truth is, there are A LOT of viable business ideas out there. There are MANY ways to become successful - or wealthy. There is TONS of potential in online marketing. And there's still PLENTY of room for you to step in and claim your fortune.

The question is: What are you going to do?

You could:

- write a book or an ebook
- promote affiliate programs via PPC
- sell products on eBay
- create & optimize content-rich sites in niche markets
- build an empire of mini-sites
- become a public speaker
- be a web designer, copywriter or VA

3 Ways Journaling Can Boost Your Creativity and Your Business

I have a friend who has struggled with her creativity for a long time. She's extremely uncomfortable thinking of herself as "creative." We've been working together on it, and making progress. One of the tools that's really helped her has been journaling.

From Julia Cameron's The Artist Way to Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones to Linda Trichter Metcalf, Ph.D. and Tobin Simon, Ph.D.'s Writing the Mind Alive to numerous other publications, journaling has enjoyed a long history of creative-nurturing along with a host of other benefits.

For my purposes, I'm defining journaling as any sort of loose, longhand writing. Whatever thoughts come into your head you put them down on paper. There's no structure, no form, nor concern about spelling or grammar or even legibility.

Even if writing isn't your dream, incorporating a regular program of journaling into your life is a wonderful way to jump-start your creativity and cultivate a constant flow of new ideas. Here are three reasons why.

1. Helps you get rid of the junk in your head. We all have it. Junk thoughts. Everything from self-defeating comments ("Oh, I'll never be good at that." or "Who told you that you could be a writer?") to the "worry of the moment" to neurosis of every type to the ever-growing, constant to-do lists.

I have a friend who has struggled with her creativity for a long time. She's extremely uncomfortable thinking of herself as "creative." We've been working together on it, and making progress. One of the tools that's really helped her has been journaling.

From Julia Cameron's The Artist Way to Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones to Linda Trichter Metcalf, Ph.D. and Tobin Simon, Ph.D.'s Writing the Mind Alive to numerous other publications, journaling has enjoyed a long history of creative-nurturing along with a host of other benefits.

For my purposes, I'm defining journaling as any sort of loose, longhand writing. Whatever thoughts come into your head you put them down on paper. There's no structure, no form, nor concern about spelling or grammar or even legibility.

Even if writing isn't your dream, incorporating a regular program of journaling into your life is a wonderful way to jump-start your creativity and cultivate a constant flow of new ideas. Here are three reasons why.

1. Helps you get rid of the junk in your head. We all have it. Junk thoughts. Everything from self-defeating comments ("Oh, I'll never be good at that." or "Who told you that you could be a writer?") to the "worry of the moment" to neurosis of every type to the ever-growing, constant to-do lists.

Top Ten Ways to Develop New Success Habits

1. Make a clear, specific commitment to what you want. Put your commitment in writing and post it where you can see it often.

2. Determine what has to happen and what changes are required to get new results.

Consider the attitudinal and behavioral modifications you must make. Create a plan to follow through.

3. Decide what you are willing to do to make this happen. Be extremely honest with yourself. The degree of action you will take is directly related to how motivated and committed you are.

4. Understand your motivation. Write down compelling reasons to promote change.

Use the pleasure/pain principle. People only initiate change when two conditions are present. When we believe behavior modification will provide massive amounts of pleasure, we are motivated to go through the process. Conversely, we can become motivated by the thought of the destructive pain we will have if we don’t change our thoughts, actions or deeds.

5. Believe you can achieve your objective and get excited about taking action. You have to believe it to see it.

1. Make a clear, specific commitment to what you want. Put your commitment in writing and post it where you can see it often.

2. Determine what has to happen and what changes are required to get new results.

Consider the attitudinal and behavioral modifications you must make. Create a plan to follow through.

3. Decide what you are willing to do to make this happen. Be extremely honest with yourself. The degree of action you will take is directly related to how motivated and committed you are.

4. Understand your motivation. Write down compelling reasons to promote change.

Use the pleasure/pain principle. People only initiate change when two conditions are present. When we believe behavior modification will provide massive amounts of pleasure, we are motivated to go through the process. Conversely, we can become motivated by the thought of the destructive pain we will have if we don’t change our thoughts, actions or deeds.

5. Believe you can achieve your objective and get excited about taking action. You have to believe it to see it.

Fire Your Inner Brat!

Who runs your business -- you or your inner brat? Everyone has an inner brat. It's the part of us that's still a 2-year-old. It gets furious at the slightest inconvenience. It feels entitled to get what it wants when it wants, and it whines and complains when things don't go its way.

Chances are this describes at least one of your clients or employees. It's always easier to spot someone else's inner brat than your own. But take a moment now to reflect on yourself and answer the following questions:

* Do you frequently complain that something isn't fair?

* Do you frequently forget to follow through on things or return phone calls?

Who runs your business -- you or your inner brat? Everyone has an inner brat. It's the part of us that's still a 2-year-old. It gets furious at the slightest inconvenience. It feels entitled to get what it wants when it wants, and it whines and complains when things don't go its way.

Chances are this describes at least one of your clients or employees. It's always easier to spot someone else's inner brat than your own. But take a moment now to reflect on yourself and answer the following questions:

* Do you frequently complain that something isn't fair?

* Do you frequently forget to follow through on things or return phone calls?

8 Ways to Earn More Without Working Harder

Conventional wisdom has it that there are only three ways to grow your business: find new customers, increase the amount of each sale to existing customers or get customers to buy more frequently. But I've seen business owners go blank when presented with those three options. So here is a more useful list of ways to increase your total revenues without in most cases having to put in more hours at the office.

1. Charge by the project rather than by the hour. Hourly fees are a death trap for the experienced professional. You get penalized for being able to zoom right in to the nub of the problem and its solution. If you are good at what you do, instead provide customized quotes for each whole project. Most clients prefer this anyhow, so that they know in advance what they will owe you. The exception is when you can't nail down the scope of the project before getting started; in that case alone, revert to hourly fees.

2. Boost your exclusivity and perceived value. If you emphasize that you don't sell to just anyone who shows up at your door, but you have certain criteria for the clients you choose to serve, people become more eager to engage your services. Likewise, if you drive home the value that you provide with testimonials, case studies, client lists and specific results you have achieved in the past, you'll get a greater return from all the marketing you're already doing.

3. Create higher-end, higher-priced programs and options. A photographer friend of mine learned that people enjoy options to select from, and they most like to select the next-to-most-expensive option. So to increase her income from framed family portraits, she simply offered a larger and more expensive frame as the biggest option. Customers were then more likely to choose the second biggest, which cost more than the previous second biggest frame.

Conventional wisdom has it that there are only three ways to grow your business: find new customers, increase the amount of each sale to existing customers or get customers to buy more frequently. But I've seen business owners go blank when presented with those three options. So here is a more useful list of ways to increase your total revenues without in most cases having to put in more hours at the office.

1. Charge by the project rather than by the hour. Hourly fees are a death trap for the experienced professional. You get penalized for being able to zoom right in to the nub of the problem and its solution. If you are good at what you do, instead provide customized quotes for each whole project. Most clients prefer this anyhow, so that they know in advance what they will owe you. The exception is when you can't nail down the scope of the project before getting started; in that case alone, revert to hourly fees.

2. Boost your exclusivity and perceived value. If you emphasize that you don't sell to just anyone who shows up at your door, but you have certain criteria for the clients you choose to serve, people become more eager to engage your services. Likewise, if you drive home the value that you provide with testimonials, case studies, client lists and specific results you have achieved in the past, you'll get a greater return from all the marketing you're already doing.

3. Create higher-end, higher-priced programs and options. A photographer friend of mine learned that people enjoy options to select from, and they most like to select the next-to-most-expensive option. So to increase her income from framed family portraits, she simply offered a larger and more expensive frame as the biggest option. Customers were then more likely to choose the second biggest, which cost more than the previous second biggest frame.

If You Don't Measure It...It Won't Happen

January is over and many folks are finding that their goals, resolutions, and resolve that started in the New Year have melted with the snow. “I always begin the year with lots of ideas to improve my life at work and at home,” one retail executive laments, “But then I get busy with the day to day tasks and they seem to fall by the wayside.”

The problem may be measurement. If you don’t measure it…it won’t happen.

Too often, people set “trophy goals” for themselves, i.e.; increase sales 20%, streamline operations, lose ten pounds, or make more time for family. These trophy goals are great for visioning where you want to be in the future. But they are useless to actually achieve the goals.

For goals to be accomplished they have to be broken down into smaller increments that can be measured on a daily basis; they must be turned into “process goals.” Also referred to as “incremental goals,” they must be concrete, have a time frame, and be measurable to be successful.

Trophy goals can be converted to process goals by asking the question, “What do I need to do on a daily, weekly, monthly basis to make this happen?” Then make a list of the answers in the left column of a paper. Include as many ideas as possible so that if some of the steps are difficult or don’t work, you don’t get stuck. Then create check boxes or lines that you can mark on a daily basis to track your progress.

January is over and many folks are finding that their goals, resolutions, and resolve that started in the New Year have melted with the snow. “I always begin the year with lots of ideas to improve my life at work and at home,” one retail executive laments, “But then I get busy with the day to day tasks and they seem to fall by the wayside.”

The problem may be measurement. If you don’t measure it…it won’t happen.

Too often, people set “trophy goals” for themselves, i.e.; increase sales 20%, streamline operations, lose ten pounds, or make more time for family. These trophy goals are great for visioning where you want to be in the future. But they are useless to actually achieve the goals.

For goals to be accomplished they have to be broken down into smaller increments that can be measured on a daily basis; they must be turned into “process goals.” Also referred to as “incremental goals,” they must be concrete, have a time frame, and be measurable to be successful.

Trophy goals can be converted to process goals by asking the question, “What do I need to do on a daily, weekly, monthly basis to make this happen?” Then make a list of the answers in the left column of a paper. Include as many ideas as possible so that if some of the steps are difficult or don’t work, you don’t get stuck. Then create check boxes or lines that you can mark on a daily basis to track your progress.

5 Simple Strategies for Keeping Your Life Stuck

One of the most common statements I hear when I talk with potential clients is, "I feel stuck." People find themselves feeling stuck in different ways. They may be in a relationship that no longer is working, but they don't know how to leave. They may have a dream of starting their own business, but aren't exactly sure where to begin. Or they may just want to incorporate more fun in their lives, but aren't sure how to make that happen.

The feeling of being stuck is very familiar for most of us. Even though our lives seem to be in constant motion, very little of that motion actually moves us forward. We are similar to a log-jam in a river. The river is rushing all around us, but we aren't going anywhere. Why is it so easy for us to lose life's flow? What is it about the way we live our lives that leads us towards "stuck"?

There are probably many answers to these questions. In this article I will talk about 5 of the most common behaviors I see that hold us back from living the lives we really want to live.

Believing What You Think

The average mind has about 60,000 thoughts a day and most of us believe about 99% of what we think. Some of our thoughts are a product of how we were raised and the culture in which we live. Others are the product of our mind synthesizing our observations into our own brilliant deductions about the world. Our thoughts help us make sense of our world and our life so it is only logical that we hold our thoughts to be the truth.

One of the most common statements I hear when I talk with potential clients is, "I feel stuck." People find themselves feeling stuck in different ways. They may be in a relationship that no longer is working, but they don't know how to leave. They may have a dream of starting their own business, but aren't exactly sure where to begin. Or they may just want to incorporate more fun in their lives, but aren't sure how to make that happen.

The feeling of being stuck is very familiar for most of us. Even though our lives seem to be in constant motion, very little of that motion actually moves us forward. We are similar to a log-jam in a river. The river is rushing all around us, but we aren't going anywhere. Why is it so easy for us to lose life's flow? What is it about the way we live our lives that leads us towards "stuck"?

There are probably many answers to these questions. In this article I will talk about 5 of the most common behaviors I see that hold us back from living the lives we really want to live.

Believing What You Think

The average mind has about 60,000 thoughts a day and most of us believe about 99% of what we think. Some of our thoughts are a product of how we were raised and the culture in which we live. Others are the product of our mind synthesizing our observations into our own brilliant deductions about the world. Our thoughts help us make sense of our world and our life so it is only logical that we hold our thoughts to be the truth.

The Simple Steps to Reaching Your Goals

I'm sure this is not the first time you have heard about goal setting. The reason you keep hearing about it is because it really is important to your life.

A good definition of goals is that they are dreams with deadlines. Yes, you can make your dreams come true. How do you want your life to be 10 years from now? How about 5 years, next year, or even 6 months from now.

The only difference between setting goals for your business or career, and setting personal goals is the subject matter. With commitment and persistence, and setting goals, your life can be any way you want it.

When you actually sit down and start identifying goals, you will probably end up with a long list. Decide what is most important to you in your business and personal lives.

All goals do not have equal value. Some will be more meaningful to you. These are the goals to start on. Keep your list of the remaining goals to get back to later. Trying to do too much at the same time can be self-defeating.

Once you have selected the goals to start on, give each goal a deadline.

I'm sure this is not the first time you have heard about goal setting. The reason you keep hearing about it is because it really is important to your life.

A good definition of goals is that they are dreams with deadlines. Yes, you can make your dreams come true. How do you want your life to be 10 years from now? How about 5 years, next year, or even 6 months from now.

The only difference between setting goals for your business or career, and setting personal goals is the subject matter. With commitment and persistence, and setting goals, your life can be any way you want it.

When you actually sit down and start identifying goals, you will probably end up with a long list. Decide what is most important to you in your business and personal lives.

All goals do not have equal value. Some will be more meaningful to you. These are the goals to start on. Keep your list of the remaining goals to get back to later. Trying to do too much at the same time can be self-defeating.

Once you have selected the goals to start on, give each goal a deadline.

Goal Achievements for Busy People

Whizzzzzzz .. Ding .. Ding .. Flash .. Ding ……. Plop! Many of you mightn't recognise these sounds. But for me they are memories of long lost school holidays. Many hours (and dollars) were spent playing pinball machines or Space Invaders. I was no pinball wizard - but I learnt a life lesson or two as my pocket money disappeared.

You see, life is a bit like an arcade game. We start each game -as each year - with fresh enthusiasm. Then we quickly get caught in frantic efforts just to keep the ball in play - to keep our busy lives on track. Finally, no matter how good we are, our turn runs out and we are left to reflect on how much we've achieved before starting again.

As another year ends, some of you will feel you've achieved a high score, having reached most of the goals you set yourself this time last year. Others - perhaps most - will be frustrated that you couldn't get more done (as I was at the end of most of those games).

So what can pinball teach us?

For a start: it isn't all about rushing. I had some mates who were real arcade artists; they could make their 20 cents last for ages. While they always scored much more than me, they never seemed to work as hard as I did.

Similarly, I'm sure you know at least one of those people who seem to always to get an awful lot done, but never seem to be over-extended in the process.

Whizzzzzzz .. Ding .. Ding .. Flash .. Ding ……. Plop! Many of you mightn't recognise these sounds. But for me they are memories of long lost school holidays. Many hours (and dollars) were spent playing pinball machines or Space Invaders. I was no pinball wizard - but I learnt a life lesson or two as my pocket money disappeared.

You see, life is a bit like an arcade game. We start each game -as each year - with fresh enthusiasm. Then we quickly get caught in frantic efforts just to keep the ball in play - to keep our busy lives on track. Finally, no matter how good we are, our turn runs out and we are left to reflect on how much we've achieved before starting again.

As another year ends, some of you will feel you've achieved a high score, having reached most of the goals you set yourself this time last year. Others - perhaps most - will be frustrated that you couldn't get more done (as I was at the end of most of those games).

So what can pinball teach us?

For a start: it isn't all about rushing. I had some mates who were real arcade artists; they could make their 20 cents last for ages. While they always scored much more than me, they never seemed to work as hard as I did.

Similarly, I'm sure you know at least one of those people who seem to always to get an awful lot done, but never seem to be over-extended in the process.

The Comfort Zone

I have a friend named Gene, a serial entrepreneur who currently runs a software business. Like many people, last year was a tough one for his company. They survived largely by providing add-on services to existing customers - a decent response to difficult circumstances. They even grew revenues a bit. But here's something else that happened: They got comfortable. They decided they could exist on their base of customers, and then they "realized" there would be no new ones.

Is that bad? Isn't that just accepting reality as it is?

It might not be bad, except that Gene's people got used to the idea of "no new customers", and it stuck with them. They've continued to draw revenues from this satisfied base, but lead generation and prospecting has remained almost nil. They are now looking at an empty pipeline, and unless things change soon, I'd say the forecast for the future is not bright.

There is a state of mind I'd like to acquaint you with known as the comfort zone. Perhaps you are already familiar with this insidious disposition. Did I say insidious? How can comfort be insidious?

You know, don't you.

I have a friend named Gene, a serial entrepreneur who currently runs a software business. Like many people, last year was a tough one for his company. They survived largely by providing add-on services to existing customers - a decent response to difficult circumstances. They even grew revenues a bit. But here's something else that happened: They got comfortable. They decided they could exist on their base of customers, and then they "realized" there would be no new ones.

Is that bad? Isn't that just accepting reality as it is?

It might not be bad, except that Gene's people got used to the idea of "no new customers", and it stuck with them. They've continued to draw revenues from this satisfied base, but lead generation and prospecting has remained almost nil. They are now looking at an empty pipeline, and unless things change soon, I'd say the forecast for the future is not bright.

There is a state of mind I'd like to acquaint you with known as the comfort zone. Perhaps you are already familiar with this insidious disposition. Did I say insidious? How can comfort be insidious?

You know, don't you.

Creating Breakthroughs Now

As a business coach I have written a great deal about building a higher performance venture, creating breakthroughs, inventing the future, and generally moving faster than the speed of change -- or at the very least -- moving faster than your competitors.

The most important thing you can do now - right at this moment - is get moving on something that's going to make a big, a tremendous difference.

Reading this little bit of coaching and simply setting it down, even if you say to yourself "Wow! That sounds like it will work!" will, as you know already, accomplish nothing.

Pick a problem -- pick something you've been thinking about for a while -- and apply any and all ideas that you think fit that best.

Or pick any business coaching article at random and put it to work. You needn't start big (although that would be my personal preference) - start small if you like.

Choose an idea and bring it to your next management meeting. Have your team help you flesh it out and put it into action.

As a business coach I have written a great deal about building a higher performance venture, creating breakthroughs, inventing the future, and generally moving faster than the speed of change -- or at the very least -- moving faster than your competitors.

The most important thing you can do now - right at this moment - is get moving on something that's going to make a big, a tremendous difference.

Reading this little bit of coaching and simply setting it down, even if you say to yourself "Wow! That sounds like it will work!" will, as you know already, accomplish nothing.

Pick a problem -- pick something you've been thinking about for a while -- and apply any and all ideas that you think fit that best.

Or pick any business coaching article at random and put it to work. You needn't start big (although that would be my personal preference) - start small if you like.

Choose an idea and bring it to your next management meeting. Have your team help you flesh it out and put it into action.

Three Factors Of Leadership Motivation

Leaders do nothing more important than get results. But you can't get results by yourself. You need others to help you do it. And the best way to have other people get results is not by ordering them but motivating them. Yet many leaders fail to motivate people to achieve results because those leaders misconstrue the concept and applications of motivation.

To understand motivation and apply it daily, let's understand its three critical factors. Know these factors and put them into action to greatly enhance your abilities to lead for results.

1. MOTIVATION IS PHYSICAL ACTION. "Motivation" has common roots with "motor," "momentum," "motion," "mobile," etc. — all words that denote movement, physical action. An essential feature of motivation is physical action. Motivation isn't about what people think or feel but what they physically do. When motivating people to get results, challenge them to take those actions that will realize those results.

I counsel leaders who must motivate individuals and teams to get results not to deliver presentations but "leadership talks." Presentations communicate information.. But when you want to motivate people, you must do more than simply communicate information. You must have them believe in you and take action to follow you. A key outcome of every leadership talk must be physical action, physical action that leads to results.

Leaders do nothing more important than get results. But you can't get results by yourself. You need others to help you do it. And the best way to have other people get results is not by ordering them but motivating them. Yet many leaders fail to motivate people to achieve results because those leaders misconstrue the concept and applications of motivation.

To understand motivation and apply it daily, let's understand its three critical factors. Know these factors and put them into action to greatly enhance your abilities to lead for results.

1. MOTIVATION IS PHYSICAL ACTION. "Motivation" has common roots with "motor," "momentum," "motion," "mobile," etc. — all words that denote movement, physical action. An essential feature of motivation is physical action. Motivation isn't about what people think or feel but what they physically do. When motivating people to get results, challenge them to take those actions that will realize those results.

I counsel leaders who must motivate individuals and teams to get results not to deliver presentations but "leadership talks." Presentations communicate information.. But when you want to motivate people, you must do more than simply communicate information. You must have them believe in you and take action to follow you. A key outcome of every leadership talk must be physical action, physical action that leads to results.

7 Simple Tips For Boosting Self-Confidence

Want to feel more confident? Use these 7 tips each day and watch your confidence soar...

1 Spend Time Each Day With Confident People

Their energy and inner strength is so inspiring that you will find yourself feeling more empowered just by listening to them talk.

And you can get tips from them. All you need to do is ask! Even one good idea could point you in a whole new direction you would not have otherwise considered.

2 Find A Mentor

Nearly all successful people have a mentor. You too need someone who has already done what you are working to achieve who is willing to advise you.

This person will help you to succeed even more quickly than you can imagine. Remember, two minds are better than one.

Want to feel more confident? Use these 7 tips each day and watch your confidence soar...

1 Spend Time Each Day With Confident People

Their energy and inner strength is so inspiring that you will find yourself feeling more empowered just by listening to them talk.

And you can get tips from them. All you need to do is ask! Even one good idea could point you in a whole new direction you would not have otherwise considered.

2 Find A Mentor

Nearly all successful people have a mentor. You too need someone who has already done what you are working to achieve who is willing to advise you.

This person will help you to succeed even more quickly than you can imagine. Remember, two minds are better than one.

Failure is Not an Option

I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that online businesses -- just like brick and mortar businesses -- have a very high failure rate for startups. Ever wonder why that is? There are several business consultants, success gurus, and motivational experts who can tell you. The problem is: Most of us don’t listen.

How many times have we heard the "success secrets" of the multimillion-dollar pros? Countless times we have all been preached to about setting goals, having a defined plan, giving it all we’ve got, and aiming high. Yet still, take a look around. The statistics of small business failures have not changed. In the first five years of starting a new business, the odds say that you’ll fail.

Ready for the good news? There is one thing I can tell you -- from personal experience, and from the experience of well-known, successful online business owners that I know. More important than setting goals, more than following a plan, more than shooting for the moon, is your mindset. Ask people who have succeeded online how they did it, and they are sure to tell you that they had to. That’s right -- they HAD to. Why? Because failure is not an option.

I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that online businesses -- just like brick and mortar businesses -- have a very high failure rate for startups. Ever wonder why that is? There are several business consultants, success gurus, and motivational experts who can tell you. The problem is: Most of us don’t listen.

How many times have we heard the "success secrets" of the multimillion-dollar pros? Countless times we have all been preached to about setting goals, having a defined plan, giving it all we’ve got, and aiming high. Yet still, take a look around. The statistics of small business failures have not changed. In the first five years of starting a new business, the odds say that you’ll fail.

Ready for the good news? There is one thing I can tell you -- from personal experience, and from the experience of well-known, successful online business owners that I know. More important than setting goals, more than following a plan, more than shooting for the moon, is your mindset. Ask people who have succeeded online how they did it, and they are sure to tell you that they had to. That’s right -- they HAD to. Why? Because failure is not an option.

Failure is Not an Option

I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that online businesses -- just like brick and mortar businesses -- have a very high failure rate for startups. Ever wonder why that is? There are several business consultants, success gurus, and motivational experts who can tell you. The problem is: Most of us don’t listen.

How many times have we heard the "success secrets" of the multimillion-dollar pros? Countless times we have all been preached to about setting goals, having a defined plan, giving it all we’ve got, and aiming high. Yet still, take a look around. The statistics of small business failures have not changed. In the first five years of starting a new business, the odds say that you’ll fail.

Ready for the good news? There is one thing I can tell you -- from personal experience, and from the experience of well-known, successful online business owners that I know. More important than setting goals, more than following a plan, more than shooting for the moon, is your mindset. Ask people who have succeeded online how they did it, and they are sure to tell you that they had to. That’s right -- they HAD to. Why? Because failure is not an option.

When you set your sights on something as grand as starting your own business, you simply have to have the mindset that, regardless of what happens, you will not allow yourself to fail.

I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that online businesses -- just like brick and mortar businesses -- have a very high failure rate for startups. Ever wonder why that is? There are several business consultants, success gurus, and motivational experts who can tell you. The problem is: Most of us don’t listen.

How many times have we heard the "success secrets" of the multimillion-dollar pros? Countless times we have all been preached to about setting goals, having a defined plan, giving it all we’ve got, and aiming high. Yet still, take a look around. The statistics of small business failures have not changed. In the first five years of starting a new business, the odds say that you’ll fail.

Ready for the good news? There is one thing I can tell you -- from personal experience, and from the experience of well-known, successful online business owners that I know. More important than setting goals, more than following a plan, more than shooting for the moon, is your mindset. Ask people who have succeeded online how they did it, and they are sure to tell you that they had to. That’s right -- they HAD to. Why? Because failure is not an option.

When you set your sights on something as grand as starting your own business, you simply have to have the mindset that, regardless of what happens, you will not allow yourself to fail.