Some of the things that I have discovered about entrepreneurs is that they have the following traits:-

• they are operating new business ventures
• take responsibility for the risks that they take
• have deep belief in the product or service
• have a burning desire to succeed
• are prepared to work hard and do whatever it takes
• are optimistic
• hold a realistic view
• show leadership, especially during adversity.

Entrepreneurs can see a great reward, they set their sights in it and will take great risks in order to achieve the reward. Incidentally, entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes, ages, nationalities and both genders.  Oh, and while no one said so, I just bet that entrepreneurs associate with other entrepreneurs and successful people.  And I also just bet that they seek out optimistic and positive people to be around.  There is no doubt that the people that you associate with can either help or hinder your progress.

For example, if you are associating with people who are not entrepreneurs but who work long hours for little reward, then chances are that is what you will do. On the other hand, if you associate with millionaires then you will know what it is that they do to earn money and achieve success.  Now I hear the arguments that success is not always about money and that is true, however money gives you a degree of freedom to achieve other things in life and often that is what people are looking for.  The freedom to make their own decisions and do their own thing when they want to.

In the words of Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop and entrepreneur, “success to me is not about money or status or fame, its about finding a livelihood that brings me joy and self-sufficiency and a sense of contributing to the world”. I’ll let the entrepreneur have the last word.

The world of an entrepreneur is an exciting one with new possibilities on the table every day. While this is not the world for everyone, currently more and more people are moving towards their own business as a life of employment becomes less attractive and high paying jobs harder to find.  People are investigating, via the Internet, the endless stream of business opportunities that are presented.  So how do you decide to become an entrepreneur and what does it take to succeed.

For many people, redundancy has made the decision for them and set them on the path to be an entrepreneur.  For others, life in a job has long held little charm and they simply come to the “fork in the road” and are not prepared to work like that forever.  Some people have a burning desire to earn a lot more than paid employment will ever allow and still others are drawn to the pure pleasure of being their own boss!

So if you are thinking of becoming an entrepreneur think about the following:-

• Can you set your mind to something and see it through?
• Are you prepared to do the hard yards that the first few years might take?
• What will you do if you have a setback – do you have perseverance?
• Can you work alone and remain motivated?
• Can you focus on solutions and not the problem?
• Do you take control of your own destiny and all of the responsibility that goes with that?

If you answer yes to those questions then you might just be an entrepreneur and the person who I am looking for.  Contact me.

The domino effect is now in action with the NSW Government making a decision to stop buying bottled water. What is the next effect?

Someone must have set this ball rolling, maybe after a discussion with like minded people, the thought energy started to flow and more like minded people became involved. This action serves as a timely reminder that anyone can start a great idea, especially if there is a bit of public outrage around at the time.  Hopefully more and more people will see this as an opportunity and do what they can to support this action and also to see that one person or one community can make a difference.  Fantastic leadership that the townsfolk of Bundanoon are showing and their decision has hit the networks all over the world.

” The Emotional Bank Account is a metaphor for the amount of trust in a relationship.  Like a financial bank account, it’s something we make deposits into and withdrawals from.  Actions such as seeking first to understand, being kind, making and keeping promises, and being loyal to the absent increase the balance of trust.  Being unkind, breaking promises, and gossiping about someone who is absent decrease or even bankrupt the trust in a relationship.”

So, what kind of leader are you and what is your Emotional Bank balance? Since relationships are everything, it is well worth asking yourself this question on a regular basis and taking corrective action early to protect trust and achieve success.

“We who lived in the concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread.  They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken away from a man but the one thing;  the last of his freedoms – to choose one’s own attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” (Chicken Soup For The Soul, Jack Canfield and MV Hansen, Health Communications Inc.)

Marvellous inspiration and it definitely rekindled my spirit.

I came away with many new and remembered strategies. And one, now firmly imprinted on my mind again, is to surround yourself with people who are successful.  Successful in the ways that you want to attract success into your life.  So if you want to be a millionaire, it will help if you mix with millionaires.  If you want to be in a certain position, mix with people who are already there.  if you want to be happily positive and optimistic, mix with happily positive, optimistic people.  This is not rocket science but sometimes I need reminders.

Even more valuable is the notion of mixing it upwards.  That is, if you already enjoy success and you want to attract even more success into your life, mix with people who are even more successful.  It gives you an idea of what it takes to gain that level of success and also keeps you in a place where you have to reach higher for your goals.  In general terms, associate with people who have achieved and you too can achieve.  It just rubs off.  Well good luck with that, I am off to attract success into my life, do my homework and have lunch with a millionaire!

Now I ask you – how divine is that? I now have the freedom and flexibility to work as I see best as well doing something that I really love.  All of the best literature suggests that the greatest happiness will come from doing what you love and loving what you do.  In his book, The Money or Your Life, John Clark writes that if you unleash your talents in an area to which you feel called, then you will experience fulfillment and bliss.  This new home based business in personal development, upon which I have embarked offers all of that and also adds a level of meaning to my life that comes from the daily opportunity to assist others to meet their highest potential.

The decision to take this risk in a small business at this allegedly precarious economic time, did not come easily to me as I imagine it does not come easily to anyone. However, I did my research.  Personal Development products are part of a 16 to 19 billion dollar worldwide industry and more people than ever before seek extra cash in their quest for financial freedom and improved family lifestyles.  People are looking to get from life what they really desire and they expect to find innovative ways to do that.  An online home business offers limitless opportunities.

And the good news is that anyone can do it.  Anyone that is who is prepared to step up to leadership, has energy and enthusiasm, is willing to do the work required and can think outside the square, see the big picture and find the courage to have a go.  They are all a bit Australian really, those qualities.  As I embark upon my new adventure in life I feel very Australian, very excited and filled with joy.  That is why a home based business in personal development is for me.   While I might not require quite so much courage as Jessica Watson, who plans to sail around the world, it took courage for me to find this path; my bliss, my fulfillment and the path to a rich and rewarding life.