Have you ever felt the entrepreneurial bug bite and thought about being a “business of one” so you can sell what you create—books, paintings, ceramics, graphic design, web design, sculptures, dolls, toys, costumes, cakes, jewelry, gift cards, photographs, workshops or training—to name but a few possibilities? There are big opportunities for people who decide to take the leap. In 2014 there were 28 million small businesses in the United States. Fifty-two percent of those businesses were home-based.
The U.S. government definition for a small business is:
- Organized for profit
- Operating in the U.S., or making a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through taxes and the sale of products
- Independently owned and operated
- Not dominant in its field on a national scale
To flourish as a “business of one” requires the same mindset as that of someone who wants to operate a successful franchise, a coffee shop, or any other endeavor. How you perceive your self and your life will define your success.
Think About It
Step 1: Visualize your business. What can you confidently accomplish as a business of one? Have a focus. All entrepreneurs need to stand out in the crowd.
Step 2: Keep a positive attitude. Understand that not every idea is a good idea. Expect to win some and lose some, learn from failures and then move on to the next thing you need to do. Hundreds of decisions will need to be made every day and the choices that are made will determine what is accomplished and experienced. The key to success is to avoid negative thinking. It follows that to avoid negative thoughts, you need to make sure you’re asking the right questions.
Here are some tips from the book The Entrepreneur in You by author A.A. Edmond Jr. for people who want to be, or who have already claimed the role:
- Always plan your options. It’s more empowering to have options than it is to have obligations
- Develop a daily routine and stick to it
- Replenish your energy by taking a walk, a nap, or just resting for 15 minutes
An “A” Power Play
Meditate (everyday in the morning if possible) for as little as 15 minutes. Sit in a chair or on a pillow on the floor, but be comfortable. Set a timer. Listen to something that will distract you from thinking—a ticking clock or a fan work great! Sometimes, when that isn’t enough and my mind wants to chase after thoughts, I start counting down from 17 to 0. I continue this until the thoughts subside, which usually takes only a short time. Why 17? Because that’s how long it takes for one thought to lead to another thought. Make this part of your daily routine and just keep doing it. You’ll notice, after while, that you’re getting “good, useful thoughts” that will help you reach your goals.
Step 3: Pace yourself. Don’t worry about procrastination. We tend to criticize ourselves and feel negative emotions when procrastinating, and then we try to drive ourselves toward the finish line. That’s actually counterproductive. What procrastination tells us is that we’re not yet ready to do something.
An “A” Power Play
Be ready to be ready. If you don’t have the things or information around you that you need to do something, you don’t have the momentum to easily follow through and the whole effort will be fraught with problems. You’re own thoughts will pile up as additional resistance. Instead of pushing, just state or write down your goal and then stop worrying. Let your mind relax. Go to a movie. Take a walk. Meditate. Meditation helps to calm the mind so you can get ready to be ready. It’s important to stay away from negative thinking. PAY ATTENTION to what you receive via ideas, observations, overheard conversations. FOLLOW UP on any thoughts that cause a good-feeling emotion, because those good feelings will guide you to the things you need in order to do what you want to do. Be a lifelong learner and constantly seek to sharpen your skills. Be ready to be ready.
Once you have your vision defined, your goals are set, and you feel ready to be ready, you will feel confident about taking the next steps.
