The Tortoise and the Hare of Building your Business

Many successful people like to say that if your business isn’t making money then it’s a hobby. That is true…only if you are not working to make money with it.

Every business has a beginning. In the beginning…there is no money. Most of the time. Other times, there may be money but then there may be bankruptcy. Our current president Donald Trump and possibly one of our most referenced presidents Abraham Lincoln both have gone bankrupt. So have Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Milton Hershey, and Stan Lee to name a few.

I belong to the National Speaker’s Association. It is a great organization to help speakers with their speaking business. When I go to the monthly meetings we are constantly being told that you’re nothing unless you are making money. The speaking business, in addition to not being a traditional business, it is a relationship business more than a product business. Relationships take time to grow. A new speaker being told they are nothing unless they are making money, or that they need to change their topic because, “no one will pay for that.” demonstrates the exact opposite of the purpose of most speakers – motivation! Motivation to live a better life no matter what their topic. Most speakers speak to inspire. They speak to educate but they also speak to inspire.

So let me take this moment to say to all of you who are busting your ass on two or three jobs and still finding the time to create, write, sell, promote, and market your dream business. Not to mention, still take care of your life and your family………….
KEEP GOING!

I can’t stand platitudes and all the sayings people say to motivate. I’m going to tell it to you straight. Just keep going. Make a plan, work your plan. Your job is just corporate sponsorship until your dream is profitable. Here are five steps you can do right now that will help you keep going:

1. Hear your Truth about what you really have and what you really need to be successful. Is it money? Is it time? Is it help? Say it out loud. Own the truth about it and make a plan from that reality. It may hurt a little. It may make you sad and feel like giving up but don’t. Just give yourself a clear picture of what your actual reality is.

2. Print out a blank calendar for the next 12 months. Don’t wait until the beginning of the year, do it now or at least the beginning of the next month. Put action items in the calendar (calls, product development, ideas, everything). Plot it out as best as you can. If you can visualize it, it will be easier to start working toward it.

3. Slow movement is still movement. Even being still is fine. It’s falling backwards that you need to manage and that is still no reason to stop – just adjust. Take breaks. Don’t act like you have to do something every single day. You don’t. If you can…do. But if you need a break, take it. That’s the thing about dreams, they never go away. You can always go after them. You can always achieve them. They aren’t going anywhere – you just can’t quit.

4. Be consistent and ask for help when you need it from people you trust. Everyone can’t support you because they don’t get it or they can’t get it. It’s not their fault. Entrepreneurs are special people. Find people that think like you do. Not that agree with you but like minded entrepreneurs. They get it.

5. Don’t wallow in the defeats – be sad but don’t wallow. And celebrate your victories. Every new client, new product, a goal that was hit, a milestone you didn’t think you’d see. Celebrate YOU!

Here’s a bonus – pass it on. If someone comes to you for advise or help. Give it to them. There is plenty of abundance to go around. Cheer them on, give them resources, just let them know you understand. That will serve you too.

Remember – the hare was fast but the tortoise was slow, steady, and THE WINNER!

Go! Be! Do!