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Let's face it - the hours needed to breathe life into a new on-line business are long, and profitability is never guaranteed. During the first few months, many people would find working a paper route more profitable than launching a new on-line business. The ability to stay motivated and believe in themselves is one of those intangibles that seem to be ingrained deep within the DNA of every successful businessperson. I have long been fascinated by the human psyche, and in particular, why some people are seemingly destined for success at a young age while others are bound to be living hand-to-mouth their entire lives? The answer is surprisingly simple - it's attitude. It was Napoleon Hill who made famous the idea that you could Think and Grow Rich. When you are working on your business in a positive and authentic way, that vibe comes through to your customers. For truly successful people, failure is simply not an option. They have a burning desire to prove something to themselves, the self confidence to believe in themselves and a stubbornness to never, ever quit. Having the ability to remain positive in the face of adversity is critical, or in the words of Napoleon Hill, Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure. All entrepreneurs will find themselves, at some point, questioning whether they want to continue with their business " whether their efforts are meaningful. Ultimately, those who choose to remain positive will be successful. This is not always easy, so here are 10 ways to find motivation when your enthusiasm begins to wane. This list starts with the easy suggestions and becomes progressively more difficult. Basic Strategies 1. Find small ways to give yourself regular positive reinforcement. For example, use your iPhone/Android/Blackberry ringtones to remind you of the things that 'put fire in your belly' - I have a different sound profiles set for each one of my email accounts - for email I receive from my blog, I hear the sound of a cash register. 2. Create a Vision Board - In the 2006 movie "The Secret", John Assaraf described how he used visualization techniques to help with his goal setting. Although I was skeptical, my wife gave this technique a try and six months later she completed her first half marathon. Creating a Vision Board is quite easy - make a collage of inspiring pictures, images and quotes that represent different aspects of your ultimate goal. Make sure that these images inspire you - for me, I have a picture of a Maui beachfront house and a porsche that I plan to buy once my online income blog takes off. Hang your Vision Board in a place that will frequently catch your eye during the course of your day. As I am frequently in front of my computer, my first vision board was a series of PowerPoint images that doubled as both the wallpaper and screensaver on my laptop. Keeping your goals "top of mind" helps you make small choices that will bring you closer to your ultimate goal. 3. Find quotes/movies/books that inspire you. Quotes have a way of cutting through the intellect and speaking straight to our soul. My favorite quote is, "Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary" from the 1989 movie "Dead Poets Society". 4. Develop your personal mantra - words have incredible power. Put together a short sentence short sentences of positive, primal affirming words that resonates with your entrepreneurial spirit. Mantras can be short (i.e."Lets do this") or wider reaching ("I only manifest the best in my life - prosperity comes naturally to me). Keep a copy of this phrase in your wallet or taped to your computer monitor. 5. Try meditation. Take 10 minutes out of your day and find a quiet place that has no distractions (no cell phone, email, twitter, etc). Sit still, close your eyes and focus only on breathing in and breathing out. If your mind wanders, consciously tell yourself to focus on your breath. In the beginning, 10 minutes feels like an eternity, but with practice you will improve. The mental clarity and ability to focus after meditating is fantastic. As well, taking a small mental break will provide you with a better ability to prioritize various tasks. 6. Reconnect with real humans - the only downside of working on-line is the isolation. You will feel better about yourself if you are able to get out of the house every so often. You will feel even better if you are able to help somebody else. 7. Do not over monitor your progress. If you are trying to lose weight, is weighing yourself several times a day helpful? Probably not. It is distracting, counter-productive, and has the potential to cause a sense of discouragement. For the online entrepreneur, frequent checking of their AdSense account or Affiliate Sale is just as counter-productive. Checking your stats daily is more beneficial than checking them hourly. Advanced Strategies 8. Develop a positive support network - this could take the form of a MasterMind Group, friends or family. It is important to surround yourself with people who believe in you and can celebrate all of your mini-successes. 9. Make sure your goals align with your 'true self'. Finding authenticity is easier said than done. Those who achieve high levels of success are totally comfortable in their own skin. Ensuring an alignment between your core values and your ultimate goal will give the best chance of fulfilling those goals. If your goals are at odds with your beliefs, doubts will continue to arise and undermine your planed success. 10. Maintain balance in your life. Starting a new business will consume all of your time and attention. Eventually, a business plan will emerge, and the initial burst of euphoric energy will subside. At this point, it is necessary to establish boundaries with the business, otherwise other parts of your life (family, friends, health) will start to slip away. Maintaining balance also gives you a chance to reflect on your goals - these will shift over time. Without this introspection, you may find yourself climbing the metaphorical ladder leaning against the wrong wall.
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