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10 Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs

Written by: Diana Gelow

Article Overview: I was raised in a family of entrepreneurs. My father, my brothers and sister, grandparents, uncles, and cousins are all self-employed. So, why did it take me so long to join the ranks of this profession that I grew up in?

10 Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs

I was raised in a family of entrepreneurs. My father, my brothers and sister, grandparents, uncles, and cousins are all self-employed. So, why did it take me so long to join the ranks of this profession that I grew up in? Well, for years I was paid generously by other successful entrepreneurs to work for them. My ability to develop and create lots of money and opportunities for my employers and their companies made them very happy and they in turn kept me happy. However, my true dream to chart my own future by owning my own coaching business became a reality this summer. Now, I work with multiple entrepreneurs as their own personal business coach. I help them realize the business and life of their dreams. Over the years I have been blessed to have worked with and beside many successful entrepreneurs. I noticed that many of these successful entrepreneurs shared many of the same characteristics. The following is my list of the top 10 secrets of successful entrepreneurs. 1. Think success. Many years ago in college one of my favorite professors recommended the book, Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I have read this book many times over the years and have recommended it to many friends and associates. Although the book was written over 60 years ago the principles are timeless. The focus is on the power of the mind and how you can have what you want if you can simply envision it. To attain the kind of success that you want, you need to dream big and have a clear vision. For me, my vision is that I see myself as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey show. What is your vision? When I begin working with my clients the very first task we work on is their vision for their business and their life. This is the driving force that keeps my clients on track and focused on the big dream. 2. Be Passionate with what you do. Mark Twain says, "success is when your vocation becomes a vacation." I love that saying and have repeated it to myself throughout my life. Success comes easily when you do what you love.
You started your business to change the way things are and to live life to its fullest. As a coach I am always holding my clients vision of their dreams and business goals so we stay on track and focused on what they really want. 3. Focus on your Strength. My father’s cousin, Bob, is self-made millionaire and I asked him many years ago the secret to his success. He said, "I surround myself around people that are smarter than I am." Now, Bob is obviously a very smart man but his point was well taken. Identify your strengths and focus your energy there, and seek help in the areas you are weak. 4. Failure is not an option. You need to fully believe in your goals, and that you can do it. Successful entrepreneurs are those that analyze and minimize risk in the pursuit of profit. The successful entrepreneur weighs the risk but also has the faith and belief to follow their intuition. No successful entrepreneurs I know starts off by giving up. Failure is not an option. 5. Plan, Plan Plan. For me, if it is not written down it is not real. The successful entrepreneurs I know always have a plan. It is a living, breathing document that is always updated, changed and modified as the business grows. You need to have concrete stretch goals that will provide the stepping-stones towards your ultimate vision. When working with my clients the first step after we have defined their vision is we put together a simple, consistent, action plan that we track on a weekly basis. Your ability to set goals and make plans for your accomplishments is the key to your success! Over the years I have been blessed to have worked with and beside many successful entrepreneurs. I noticed that many of these successful entrepreneurs shared many of the same characteristics. 6. Work Hard...but Smart! Ask any successful businessperson and they will tell you immediately that they had to work more than 60 hours per week at the start of their businesses. Working smart requires that you have a vision, clear goals, and believe in what you are doing. Working hard and giving up your weekends and free time can be hard if you are not clear on your purpose. If you believe in what you are doing and have passion, working hard will actually be easy because you will love what you are doing. "The only place where success comes before work is a dictionary." 7. ALWAYS Look for Ways to Network. It is critical to form alliances with people who can help you, and whom you can help in return. To succeed in business, you need to possess good networking skills and always be alert to opportunities to expand your contacts.
8. Have Faith. No one said the road to success is easy. You will have setbacks, disappointments and may even fail. Your courage to persist and bounce back after temporary disappointment will assure your success. Your persistence is the measure of the belief in yourself...if you have faith, nothing can stop you. 9. Being Curious George. Your willingness to learn is important to your success. You must be willing to ask questions, remain curious, interested and OPEN to new knowledge. This place of "being" curious becomes even more crucial given the rapid changes in technology and ways of doing business. 10. Stick to it. Thomas Huxley once said, "Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you like it or not." Self-discipline is the key to success. Not everything you do is going to be what you enjoy but if you stay focused on your vision and goals it will be easier. This is one of the many reasons that people hire coaches. Going the extra mile and self discipline can be difficult and having a coach to champion and keep you on track has proven results...even Barry Bonds has a batting coach.

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