There are hundreds, if not thousands, definitions, and quotes that try to capture the essence of success, but rarely do they express such a simple truth like the one by Robert Collier, one of the most famous self-help authors, which says that “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Many people expect to hear that there’s some kind of secret recipe for being successful, but as you can see the key is in being persistent and paying attention even to those small seemingly ordinary things because they make all the difference.
Even the best-laid plans
The fact that plans might fall through shouldn’t be the reason why you don’t have any. As a matter of fact, coming up with not only just one but a couple of stellar plans is essential, but bear in mind that you’ll have to tweak and adjust them according to circumstances. Without a plan, you won’t be able to set your goals precisely and keep track of the major landmarks and metrics of the business process and progress. Sometimes you’ll have to change your plan several times before you find the best one. Just like Thomas A. Edison said “I have not failed. I just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
The other side of fear
We can learn a lot from successful people, and George Addair was most certainly one of them, so his main credo was “Everything you’ve always wanted is on the other side of fear.” It’s this hormonal reaction that prevents many people from changing their lives and start doing what they really want. True entrepreneurs aren’t afraid to jump into the white water of a competitive market and swim with sharks. In order to stand out and distinguish yourself from the others, you need to learn to control your fear and turn it into fuel that will motivate you to do your best and follow your gut.
Keep your friends close
Being surrounded by your family and true friends is very important, not only because you should have people who could support you and help you build your business, but also because you should share your happy moments and celebrate your success with them. The same goes for your employees and partners as they’re the ones that are equally responsible for your success, and that’s why you should make sure to show them your gratitude. Sometimes a nice thank you note or positive feedback is all it takes, but it would be a good idea to surprise them with unique eftpos gift cards Australia.
And your enemies closer
You can learn a lot from your competitors and that’s why you should keep an eye on them. This is crucial when it comes to pricing because you don’t want to overprice your products or lower your bar. Pricing is especially important for new companies and it can save you a lot of time as you’re trying to figure out a pricing structure. Social networks could be your gold mine of information about your competition, as their customers share their bad and good experiences so that you can feel their pulse and see what you should or shouldn’t do.
Never lose money
Here’s a great piece of advice from Warren Buffett, “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget rule No. 1.” Every businessperson should learn a couple of basic financial rules, as there’s no other way to keep your business afloat. In some cases, this doesn’t mean that you’re going to need a lot of money to start your business, but you’ll surely have to realize how to invest it and wisely use it for the further development. If your financial literacy leaves a lot to be desired, there’s a risk that your business decision-making process will be affected. Savvy and money wise entrepreneurs refuse to be caught in a vicious circle of credit cards, loans, and wasting their money on material things such as expensive cars, houses, or clothes. These aren’t the things that will help you make more money. Successful entrepreneurs understand that you need to build assets if you want to succeed, which means that you should make the money you earn work for you.
It’s clear that there’s no magic potion for success, but on the other hand, if you follow these simple, common-sense rules, you’ll be more likely to succeed.
Alex Williams
My name is Alex Williams. I am a journalism graduate and a rookie blogger trying to find my luck. Blogs are the perfect opportunity for presenting yourself to a wider audience, getting the chance to showcase my expertise and receiving recognition. I am a regular contributor at Bizzmark Blog.