I’ve been an NLP trainer since 2000 and started my own business, The Change Corporation, in 2005.
I’m going to share with you my top tips for staying positive when starting a business – I call them the Six Principles of Success.
Principle 1 - Get clear on your goal
First of all you need to be clear on what it is you want to achieve, SMART principles apply here. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timed. Stretch yourself but not to the extent that you are setting yourself up to fail.
Principle 2 - Know why it is a must for you
What are your reasons for wanting to set up your business? When you think about them do they light you up and give you a reason to get up in the mornings?
If you have an absolute passion for what you want to do it won’t feel like work, that alone will help to keep you positive and determined
If you have an absolute passion for what you want to do it won’t feel like work, that alone will help to keep you positive and determined.
Principle 3 - Take massive action
Are you prepared to do whatever it takes to make your business a success, including things you do not want to do? You are starting a journey that will take all of your energy and creativity and learning capacity.
Yet, if you’re prepared to do whatever it takes you will get there in the end. Don’t blame others when things don’t go to plan, take responsibility and learn from every experience.
Principle 4 - Know what you're getting
Have a feedback loop for everything - you need this to find out what is working and what isn’t. It’s great when you find out what is working well and, also when you find out what isn’t as you can resolve this. Ask for feedback from your customers and suppliers and act on it.
Principle 5 - Be prepared to change your approach
There is a saying ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.’ You must be prepared to be flexible and move into the unknown.
When you discover that something isn’t working do something different. I once asked my business mentor how long I should continue to strive for success in my business, He said to continue until I got there - and that has been very sound advice.
Principle 6 - Find someone to model
It’s unlikely that you are the first person to have ever set up the business that you want to launch. Go and find someone who is already successful - I mean your competitors!
In NLP we estimate that modeling reduces the learning process by 50%. You also know that you are not wasting any of your time and can keep focused on what is really important - making your business a success!
