Economy or Confidence

Chaos reigns supreme in the American economy. Financial woes are shaking the foundation of the global economy as well. Global currency is about as stable as a kernel of corn in hot oil in a pop corn popper. Trying to anticipate and manage the fluctuations in the market right now is similar to asking fireflies to fly in formation. Impossible.

You are walking across a bed of cactus with your bare feet wondering if you will still have a job next week. What will you do if they give you the pink slip and escort you out of the building? Do you start looking for another job just in case? Do you buckle down and work even harder to prove you are worthy of keeping your job? Do you start your own part time business now, just in case?

Put your nerves in a straight jacket and take a deep breath.

Do you really enjoy your current job? What is it about the job that really inspires you? What would you change if you could? Seriously analyze the “yeah I really like this” and “yikes I would love to change that” parts of the job.

1. If the answer becomes crystal clear that there are far more elements that you would change than you like, it is decision time. How feasible is it to change some of the elements you do not like to become more enjoyable? In a perfect world with all options available to you, what would you really like to be doing?

2. If the answer is that you love your job, then the answer becomes very easy. Find ways to be more valuable to your company. Think innovatively and progressively. Increase your net worth to the company.

3. If the answer is “no, I’m only here for the paycheck” then it is time to explore other options. Do you like having a job?” Would you prefer to control your future and operate your own business? Do you have an entrepreneurial itch which has been begging to be scratched? Has that tiny red spot become a widespread patch of poison ivy which screams “get me out of this job and let me create my own enterprise?”

Once the decision has been firmly implanted in your soul to start your own business, what is stopping you? Oh you say, “The economy is really shaky right now. It’s a bad time to start a new business.” Horse feathers. 16 of the 30 companies in the Dow Jones average started in an economic downturn. Economy becomes an excuse not a reason.

Could the real reason be a lack of confidence? Your own personal butterflies are seriously out of formation. You are not certain if you will be able to succeed. Remember when you received your first bicycle? Were you afraid to ride without training wheels in case you fell over? Did it stop you? No. Well, if it did then maybe a business of your own may not be a good idea. You probably forced your hands and knees to stop shaking, gripped the handle bars with a death grip and took off down the hill. So what if you fell a few times in the process, you probably eventually mastered riding without hands. You did not let fear paralyze you.

What happened to that childish daring spirit? Millions of people successfully operate their own businesses. It becomes a matter of confidence and determination triumphing over childish fear.

A troubled economy frequently becomes an advantage because start up costs may be down. Help becomes more readily available because people are seeking part time or full time additional income. Some people simply have more available time to give you helpful hints during a down economy. You may even have more time now. You certainly have more motivation if you are concerned about losing a job. The sooner you get your own business on a solid financial footing, the less you have to be concerned about the loss of a job.
Buck up your courage and do what you have always wanted to do. If you have a dream to have your own business, how many more years do you want to slip by before you start taking charge of your future?

For specific tips and techniques on selecting the right business for you and assistance in putting them into a workable plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.

Life Off Track

What is most important to you right now? More money, more freedom, more security?

When your life jumps off track, how do you restore your sanity? Einstein describes insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Success in a Tough Economy depends on persistence and consistency more than any other time. Everyone can succeed in a flourishing economy. Only the determined and resilient survive in a tough economy.

Remember being a kid with your first kite? Your dad said, “I have something new and fun for you. It’s called a kite and it will fly.” You looked at it a bit skeptical. It was only paper and sticks. Your dad helped you put it together, attached the string and told you to run. You could not imagine that it would fly but you wanted to trust your dad. He told you, “run!” You ran and it dragged on the ground behind you. You were so discouraged but you really wanted to believe your dad. Your friends were laughing at you and your dad kept saying “run.” You ran as hard as you could and the kite came up 5 feet and then 10 feet and then bounced back on the ground. Your dad kept yelling “run, don’t stop or you’ll have to start all over.” You ran and it sent up a few feet and bounced back on the ground. Your friends are laughing so hard they are rolling on the ground. You want to believe but the kite is still bouncing on the ground every few feet. Your dad keeps yelling “run.” You keep running and finally it goes up 10 feet and then 15 feet. You’re getting tired so you slow down and the kite drops to the ground again. You start running again harder and the kite finally goes up 15 feet and then 20 feet then 50 feet and you let out more string and it goes up 100 feet. Finally it is up 200 feet and you stop running and let out the string. The kite keeps going up and you aren’t doing anything but letting out string. Your friends finally stop laughing. Your dad pats you on the shoulder as you pant to catch your breath. The kite is flying. Dad was right. Keep running!

In a tough economy, only the persistent who keep running will ever get the business off the ground. Once you create momentum, the kite really does fly.

Regardless of your political views, the American economy is a mess right now. How come we choose from 2 people for President and 50 for Miss America?

In this time of economic turbulence, many people are off track with their lives. How far off track depends on how quickly you recognize a problem exists and take appropriate action. How badly do you want not only to survive but to thrive?

1900-1922 A world shattered
1929-1937 Great depression
1937-1938 Recession
1973-1979 From crisis to crisis
2008-? Here we go again – down & down

But there’s hope

Look who started in a bad economy . . . 16 of 30 of the companies in the Dow Jones Industrial average started in a bad economy

1902 – 3M
1906 – Kellogg
1906 - Honeywell
1907 – Alcoa
1908 - General Motors
1916 - Boeing
1923 - Disney
1925 - Caterpillar
1929 - United Tech
1939 - Hewlett-Packard
1975 – Microsoft
1970’s – Apple Computer
1975 - Chili’s
1976 – Famous Amos Cookies (division of Kellogg)
1978 - Home Depot
1980 – Applebee
1983 - AT & T
1983 - SBC Communications

Napoleon Hill said, “Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to cut all sources of retreat. Only by doing so can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win, essential to success.”

Time has come to start running and launch your kite – your own business. Over 69 per cent of all new businesses will start this year as home based businesses. Microsoft started in a garage.

For specific information on your personal economic recovery plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com today.