|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I believe that as solo-entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives we all need a pat on the back. Give yourself commendation. Why? Because we have the courage to step outside of the corporate box and start our own businesses, be our own boss and take on the challenge and responsibilities required for this adventure. In order to even contemplate that step we must have had a vision, a dream and a passion to bring it to fruition. So commend yourself.
Now, we're in business. We've been working our little brains out. We are dedicated to making our dream come true. But some time has passed and we may have exhausted ourselves of ideas, that passion that once used to drive us is fading and our never ending "to do list" is overshadowing our dreams.
Do not be discouraged, we only need to refuel. Picture the never ending stair master at the gym. I know we all dread that machine, because it seems like you just keep climbing and there is no landing. But each step is a further progression. Each step brings us to a higher level. Perhaps by reading these strategies we can replenish our passion and reinvigorate our inner drive. So let's focus on a few ideas that I have found to be helpful.
1) Narrow Your Niche I know that as a woman, mother, wife, housekeeper, and a chef, solo-entrepreneur and so on, I tend to think that I can handle it all. Maybe not with grace, but I can accomplish a lot. I am a multi-tasker. We assume that if we can do so in our personal lives, the same should be true in our professional lives. No doubt, we can manage a lot. And as solo-entrepreneurs there are a lot of hats to wear. Business owners are in advertising, marketing, accounting, and so on. But when it comes to the services we offer we should consider "narrowing our niche".
We may be more proficient in a particular area of our practice. By honing in on our skills in that area, we are creating a competitive edge, an area of expertise. You can position yourself as a leader in your own industry. Opposed to fitting in with a thousand of professionals offering the same service, we are now exposed to clientele as specializing in a certain skill. We can also appeal more specifically to a "target market".
2) Partnerships and Alliances Wouldn't you agree that we all need support? We need confirmation that we are heading in the right direction, a resource for assistance, or an honest opinion when we need advice. That's why it is essential to group ourselves together with a variety of individuals who are enlisted within a similar profession. It also increases our professional appearance to clients when we can refer them to an associate of ours who specializes in a particular area of expertise. (Hence the importance of "narrowing your niche"). There are many associations and links available to aid us in our endeavors. So make the connections needed and integrate yourself with a partner or an alliance and unite together with a support system. (E.g. become more involved with the community at www.solo-e.com/community/ where you will connect with individuals who are coming together to help you present yourself with the resources you need).
3) Maintaining Passion The word passion is described as: "enthusiasm, excitement, desire for a particular activity, or devotion to a cause". How do we maintain that enthusiastic approach? Focus on your core message. This is the innermost substance of your business. Maybe our business is a consulting firm. Why not focus on and think about how you are empowering other others to accomplish all that is needed of them by assisting them with your services and/or your products.
Try focusing on the message that you are communicating to others and try to incorporate that in your everyday duties. For instance, the core message of my company is growth. Not only personal growth, but business growth and helping other businesses grow, expand, and develop. I try to allow clients to see the quality of my concern and I enjoy the opportunity I have to help them. When they become more productive and increase profits, I benefit too! My motto is "If you grow ? I grow!"
Another way to maintain your passion is to find similarities in your personal values and your business. All of us have a certain moral code. We all have things that are of particular importance to us and if we harmonize that connection between our work ethic and our personal ethics we will be passionate about what we do. Most of us appreciate sincerity from our family, friends and associates; by reflecting the same sincerity to others we are highlighting its importance to us. Having synchronization with our personal and business values will bring about passion, thus helping us to enjoy the entrepreneurial experience.
From my business to yours, I wish you much success and delight in your journey.
Copyright, 2004, Amy Ewart
____________________________________________
Amy Ewart, President of Secretarial Solutions and Team Member of Solo-E (http://www.Solo-E.com), operates as a virtual administrator from her home office in Brampton, Ontario. She grants her clients the time to increase their client base and revenue potential by handling their administrative tasks while they handle growth strategies and networking. Her clients are spread across Canada and the U.S. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing and playing with her kids. She feels abundantly blessed to love what she does and be available for her two children and husband. To gain more free time and increase your billable hours visit http://www.secretarialsolutions.ca today. ____________________________________________
*********** Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com ? Keeping Solo Entrepreneurs Juiced in Business and in Life. Our team of Solo Entrepreneurs are comprised of small business experts who support others in finding business success with the flexibility and freedom to have a life, too. Network with other freelancers, self-employed and Solo Entrepreneurs in our forums, enjoy our articles and newsletter, and find other online training opportunities. ***********
Can anyone be an artist? People admiring my work... Read More
Creativity is central to the management of our individual lives,... Read More
Do you ever encounter problems, challenges or obstacles in your... Read More
When you hear, "tell me a story," does your mind... Read More
As workplaces continue to rightsize and downsize, we all find... Read More
It seems like this week a ton of people have... Read More
When stressed or blocked it is wise to make a... Read More
In 1420, the dignitaries of Florence held a competition.They offered... Read More
1 - Take A Tour of the Great Outdoors Consider... Read More
95 percent of what we know about the brain, we... Read More
When solving problems after you have exhausted the normal means... Read More
I've got a confession to make... there are many ways... Read More
I believe that as solo-entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives we... Read More
Deadlines are something all of us face from time to... Read More
I have a friend who has struggled with her creativity... Read More
The ability to exercise your creativity is even more important... Read More
This quick course in creativity is designed to give you... Read More
Have you ever thought of this? When you were young... Read More
Time is the great equalizer. Everybody has the exact same... Read More
Do you consider yourself creative? How about super creative? Most... Read More
If your to-do list seems as long at the end... Read More
Spring is in full bloom, which means it's 'get back... Read More
Did you know that winning actually puts less wear and... Read More
When you think about the legacies Walt Disney left us,... Read More
Worried you may not be creative or you may not... Read More
Do you have a strategy that ensures your online business... Read More
Creativity is central to the management of our individual lives,... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
These days it's all about breaking things down into manageable... Read More
Imagine that a block of ice has been set on... Read More
Can you draw?Your answer to that question reveals a surprising... Read More
Time is the great equalizer. Everybody has the exact same... Read More
Here's a quick quiz:1) When I see a see a... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
The key to making time for art is the ability... Read More
Successful companies have innovation in their blood. The single most... Read More
Contrary to common perception, creativity can be made tangible, measurable... Read More
Bring to mind a time when you decided that you... Read More
Everyone's a poet.Of course, everyone's a critic, too! This means... Read More
The ability to exercise your creativity is even more important... Read More
In my life, sleep is the number one way that... Read More
Clutter is one of my favourite topics, and I've written... Read More
It was 8:00 PM and I'd hit a creative wall... Read More
All things begin in consciousness.Consciousness originates everything that is manifest.... Read More
While the inception of penicillin brought a bit of a... Read More
Would you like to enhance your creativity? Do you think... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
A legacy is more than a gift that lives on... Read More
1 - Take A Tour of the Great Outdoors Consider... Read More
What's the biggest problem with memory tricks? Remembering to use... Read More
Creativity Creativity |