| It is very important before you go on your own to | | | | survive until you become successful? |
| weigh all the alternatives relating to starting a small | | | | If you enjoy what you are doing the money will |
| business. | | | | come automatically. |
| Having a detailed concrete plan before you start is an | | | | Money Most of the world's richest people are |
| absolute must. | | | | unhappy. Or think about the mega lottery winners |
| Here are some of the things the Concrete Plan | | | | who win 20 million dollars or more. They wind up |
| should consider: | | | | being hated by their families and friends and wind up |
| Why? Do you want to start a small business? | | | | always having to worry about their money. |
| There are only 2 reasons to want to start a | | | | You are going to be much happier doing something |
| business: the first one is because you have to, and | | | | you love. If you don't, you are going to regret it at |
| the second one because you'd love to. | | | | some point in your life. So you won't drive a Rolls but |
| Because you have to; again there are different | | | | a Volkswagen, but you'll be happy in the Volkswagen. |
| shades of "having to". | | | | Am I willing to make the sacrifice. There is always a |
| Maybe you got laid off or were downsized? | | | | price to pay for something you like. But be assured |
| Maybe you can't find a job in the town you live in; | | | | that what initially seems like a sacrifice will turn into a |
| how about moving to a place where there are jobs? | | | | life more wonderful than you can imagine. |
| Maybe you have physical disabilities; again, some | | | | My family If you are happy doing something you like, |
| businesses specialize in hiring people with physical | | | | you'll be in a lot better mood and your family as a |
| disabilities. | | | | result will like you better. If they like you better you'll |
| Maybe you are too old; in some places 50 is too old | | | | also feel better. So now we have a feel better loop |
| to get hired. | | | | reinforcing itself all the time. |
| But you can always get a job somewhere else as a | | | | What if things don't work out; then you try |
| security guard in the mall. | | | | something else. What if that does not work either? |
| Because you'd love to; for whatever reason. | | | | Then you try something else. What if... Etc. You are |
| Opportunities to start on your own are infinite only | | | | not going to run out of things to do. |
| limited by your imagination. | | | | Do I need additional skills; Probably. And getting these |
| You can start a physical business with real people, | | | | additional skills is lots of fun in itself. |
| inventories, skills, services, clients, receivables and | | | | With the Internet you can get an MBA in no time. |
| payables. | | | | Think about how much better you'll feel about |
| This physical business will succeed best if you do | | | | yourself when you realize you learned something |
| what you know or like best. | | | | useful.And you can do this time and time again in little |
| If you don't want a physical business make your | | | | steps. |
| money on the Internet. | | | | After the Concrete Plan: Set a definite starting date |
| With the 1 billion potential clients for your idea on the | | | | with goals and goalposts in the foreseeable future |
| Web eventually you'll find a way to make the idea | | | | and then diligently work towards these goalposts. |
| pay. | | | | You'll see that things get better with the reaching of |
| Knowing something or liking something is of course | | | | each goalpost. They reinforce each other. |
| not the same thing. | | | | Motivation Getting up in the morning will be hard |
| You may know accounting and may hate it. | | | | some days. Just put your hand on the floor to push |
| You may not know how to write a book but may | | | | yourself out of bed. Once you are actually working |
| love the idea. | | | | you'll find lots of enjoyable things during the day. |
| So you know you can make money as an | | | | Getting Discouraged everybody gets discouraged. |
| accountant but you don't know if you can make | | | | When this happens to you just say: "Everybody gets |
| money as a writer. | | | | discouraged" and understand it is part of the human |
| What should you do? | | | | condition. |
| It seems that you should try it as a writer. | | | | Go do something enjoyable, something that will cheer |
| What have you got to lose? | | | | you up. Then go back slowly to the activity that got |
| Yes, but you have no money, so how can you | | | | you discouraged. It will fix itself. |