In my most recent columns we’ve covered issues about
improving your business and marketing, but today let’s start right at the
beginning.
You’re really getting tired of the 9 to 5 “rat race” and are thinking about chucking
it for your own business. All your
friends keep telling you that you could do for yourself just what you’re doing
now for your boss. Why shouldn’t you profit from your ideas instead of him?
You keep thinking about it because you know that you’ll never
be financially where you want to be with a weekly paycheck, but what business
would you start?
Before you pack in that weekly paycheck, this is the time to
evaluate yourself and your future and it takes some real, down to heart
honesty. You want to change your life
for the better, so let’s start.
Did you know that you have the potential to do and be
anything you want? People have different
perceptions of the ideal life, and it ranges from obtaining financial freedom
to as simple as owning a new pair of sneakers. Unfortunately, many fail to
reach their aspirations because they can’t get a solid, clear picture in their
mind of what they want.
Take the next few days and embark on a fact-finding journey
that will be a life-changing experience.
Get a pad and pencil and start with this first step:
STEP 1 - KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT – Be specific in your
passions, then focus all your efforts on that particular desire.
Those who always change their minds and those who give up
easily when the going gets tough will never get anywhere. If you’re a bit confused and aren’t sure what
you really want in life answer these questions:
- What makes your heart beat with excitement?
- What makes you happy?
- What are you constantly thinking of day and night?
- What do you want to do with the rest of your life?
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What are your obsessions?
- What things make you jump for joy?
Write down all your possible answers to the above
questions. Write down everything, no
matter how silly or unimportant it seems. Put all your desires on paper that
answers any of the above questions.
When that’s done, go back and circle five to seven items
that interest you the most. Then
evaluate and choose with your heart, not
your mind, the one and only thing worthy to spend all your time and resources
on and that brings out the best in you.
Now you may wind up with something like, “I want to play
quarterback for the RAMS.” If you’re
over 20 I’d say that isn’t too viable a choice, but you could do something
related to football or sports. How about
starting a sports publication? Or
perhaps a sporting goods retail business, sports memorabilia business, or even
a gym could be the answer. You can
always read books and surf the net to help you in your search.
The most important thing to remember, no matter how “pie in
the sky” it seems, is to USE YOUR HEART.
Others may disagree with you, but you should be firm with what you
really want. Others may offer comments
or advice, but the final decision is always yours to make. You should concentrate on what you want, not
what others want.
Remember you only get one shot at living your life. There are no replays and you don’t get to do
it over. You may not do it right, but at
least you’re doing it. Too many lives
have been lived in quiet desperation waiting until – until they had saved a
nest egg, until the children are out of school, until I retire, and they depart
this life before “until” ever arrives.
Don’t go to sleep tonight without making a decision on WHAT
YOU REALLY WANT IN LIFE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
Then spend a few days evaluating how to make it possible and
make a living at it. Begin living every
day as if it were the last day you had – never leaving anything to be done next
week, next month, or next year.
There will always be bills, things will always break down
eventually and need replacing, there may be storms and earthquakes and repairs
– but there will only be one life for you to live. It can’t be put on “hold”!
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