Sunday, May 29, 2011

Dare mighty things!

Teddy Roosevelt said:

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered with failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the grey twilight that knows no victory nor defeat."

We can sit back, watch the world go by, grow old and never take a chance in life. When all is said and done, we can look back and wonder if we did our best to make a mark in the world or did we do nothing other than just work and exist. When we die will we have our name erased without anyone knowing we were there?

There is nothing wrong with trying to make a difference. Even if we fail a few times, we have only failed if we quit. Wither it is raising a family or starting a business, we only fail if we do not try.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Little things are important

Before reading my comments on today’s blog, click on the video and watch it. Follow it’s instructions for it will teach you a valuable lesson. It only takes a minute.



Many times we cannot see the forest because of the trees. There are times when something is right in front of us but because we are asking the wrong question, looking for something which is not there or is there but we are blinded and we could miss out on something very important.

When deciding if our idea or concept can work, many times we can be blinded because of the excitement or blinded because of a preconceived notion. If we get too excited or we believe something which might be untrue, we might miss the gorilla in the room. One of the reasons it is so important to make a written business plan is to look at all the good and bad. Knowing where we are going, how to get there and not taking short cuts is important.

A friend of mine wanted to start a small business very bad. He had a good idea, but he did not follow the plan I had suggested for him. He jumped 4 steps ahead without taking the steps in between. He failed. If he would have done steps 2 and 3 he would probably have succeeded for he had a great idea.

Paying attention to detail, following our plan without skipping ahead, can be the difference between success and failure. Knowing if there is a gorilla in the room or if the color of the drapes is changing could be a game changer.

Friday, May 13, 2011

A Book and a Thought to change your Life!

There is nothing wrong with the direction you are going, if you like where you are headed.  One way or another you’re going to get somewhere.  For those with direction, goals and a purpose, have a better chance of ending at a place more desirable than those who don’t.  

There have been maybe five books I have read which have made a major impact on my life.  All have been self improvement type books with two of them being the most popular books in the World.  I won’t be talking about those today, but the one I am talking about can touch people spiritually, physically and financially.

In my opinion “debt” can destroy people, lives, marriages and many times can create unhappiness.  Sometimes some debt cannot be avoided, but getting out of debt as soon as possible, not using credit cards and paying cash for items is the smart move.

One of my top five books would be “Total Money Make Over” by Dave Ramsey.  This book can change your life if you read and then practice what is taught.  In my opinion, everyone should read this book before they get married.  It can save a lot of heartache that doesn’t need to be there.

What does this have to do with entrepreneurism?  Simply put, if you can’t afford it then you shouldn’t do it.  Starting a business should be done in baby steps and a person should NOT put all their eggs in one basket.  Walk before you run.  Start small and test the market before taking the big leap.  Prove the business can work before wasting your money.

Knowing where you want to go financially in your own home or in your own business is very important.  What are your goals?  How are you going to get there?  Know where you are headed, otherwise you might end up in a place you don’t want to be.

Monday, May 2, 2011

You can DO IT!

If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?"
--Hillel the Elder

Don’t wait for someone to show you how to make your first million for it will never happen, just go out and do it.  Who has the next great idea?  Why not you?  Don’t let someone tell you it can’t be done.  What do they know?  Most people who tell you it can’t be done, have never done it.  Those that say it can’t be done do not have the courage it takes to be an entrepreneur, inventor or business owner.

If you don’t have the courage to fail and get back up again, then you should stay in your little office and keep working for others your whole life.  There is nothing wrong with that, if that is what’s going to make you happy. 

If you only want to become wealthy for yourself, then “who are you?”  If you are willing to do it for others as much as for yourself, then you are headed in the right direction. 

 Boyd K. Packer once said, “Things that don’t change, remain the same.”

You and I can keep doing what we have been doing and we’ll continue being what we have been in the past.  If you or I want something different, we must choose a different path otherwise we stay the same.

As Hillel the Elder said, “And if not, when?”  

If you decide to change, do your homework, then do it NOW!  Don’t let negative people control your life.  You can do it!