Women In Business
Do you have
what it takes to be your own boss?
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In working with people over the years, we have identified a number of
traits that indicate if a person is likely to become successful in their
own business. The more "Yes" answers you have to the questions below,
the more likely you have what it takes to run your own business. Each of
the 18 questions is followed by a statement of why that particular trait
is important.
1. Are you a self-starter? Successful business owners are always making
things happen. They don't wait around for the phone to ring or to be
told what to do next.
2. Do you get along with different kinds of people? Every business, even
small ones, require contact with a variety of people: customers,
suppliers, bankers, printers.
3. Do you have a positive outlook? Optimism and a sense of humor are
critical factors for success. You have to be able to view setbacks and
small failures as stepping stones to your eventual success.
4. Are you able to make decisions? It has been said that indecision is
the greatest thief of opportunity. Procrastination is the main obstacle
to good decision making. In a successful business, important decisions
are made on a daily basis, not put off. 80% of decisions should be made
right away.
5. Are you able to accept responsibility? If you typically blame others,
the company, the government, or your spouse for what goes wrong, you are
probably a poor candidate for running your own business. Successful
business owners accept responsibility for results even if those results
are not favorable.
6. Do you enjoy competition? You don't have to be cut-throat but you
must enjoy the thrill of competition. You must have a strong desire to
compete, even against your own accomplishments of yesterday.
7. Do you have will-power and self-discipline? Self-discipline is the
one key characteristic that makes all these others work. Without it you
will not succeed.
8. Do you plan ahead? Every successful businessperson develops a long
time perspective. Going into business with a detailed plan increases
dramatically the likelihood of business success. If you are already a
goal setter, you are more likely to succeed on your own.
9. Can you take advice from others? Being in your own business does not
mean you have all the answers. Being open to the wisdom and experience
of others is the hallmark of a leader. People who are willing to listen,
spend more time doing what works the first time, rather than having to
experience every mistake.
10. Are you adaptable to changing conditions? Change is constant in
today's marketplace. Experts estimate that 80% of all products and
services we are using today will be obsolete in 5 years. In every change
there are the seeds of opportunity, thus successful people view change
as an opportunity, not as a threat.
11. Can you stick with it? Most new ventures do not take off as quickly
as we would like them to. Are you prepared to make at least a one year
commitment to this business no matter how bleak it may look at times?
Will you continue even if your friends tell you to throw in the towel?
12. Do you have a high level of confidence and belief in what you are
doing? This is no time for doubt or second thoughts. You must absolutely
believe in what you are doing. If you don't have total belief, you will
not be able to sell the idea, product or service to investors or
customers. Don't deceive yourself into thinking that you can do well
something you don't really believe in.
13. Do you enjoy what you are going to do? Don't ever think you can be
successful doing something just for the money rewards. Ultimately, you
must get a sense of meaning and satisfaction from what you are doing. So
only consider those ideas about which you are totally passionate.
14. Can you sell yourself and your ideas? Many people fail with a great
product or service because no one is out selling. Nobody will beat a
path to your door even if you do have a better mousetrap. Those days are
gone. You will need to sell constantly.
15. Are you prepared to work long hours? Few businesses are immediately
successful. Most require months or years of long hours to get them
going. It's like getting a plane off the ground. A great deal of energy
is required at first; once you are in the air, it takes less energy to
keep moving. Businesses are very much the same.
16. Do you have the physical and emotional energy to run a business?
Operating your own business can be more draining than working for
someone else because now you have to make all the decisions, and
probably do all the work initially.
17. Do you have the support of your family and/or spouse? Without
support at home, your chances of success are dramatically reduced. Doubt
and misgivings can too easily creep in. The less support you have, the
more you will feel yourself being pushed back to being a traditional
"employee."
18. Are you willing to risk your money in this venture? If you are not,
you probably question your confidence in the venture and your commitment
to it. No bank or outside lender will be willing to take risk that you
are not willing to back with everything you have.
More and more Americans are looking for greater control of their
destinies and for the time freedom that having your own business allows.
One key to success is to make sure you match your personal skills with
the proper business choice. Your work must integrate your skills, your
personality tendencies, and your interests. That may seem simple and
obvious but it is amazing how often those simple principles are
violated. The more you know and understand about yourself and match that
up with your business direction, the more you exponentially increase
your chances for success.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dan Miller specializes in creative thinking for
personal and business development, helping individuals redirect careers,
evaluate new income sources and achieve balanced living. Dan's
principles have been clarified in his new book, 48 Days to the Work You
Love, as well as in his popular workbook and audio sets.
