By Tammi Putnam 

In 2002 I started my own home business after my 20th year of teaching kids. When you move from employee to entrepreneur, there’s certain steps that lead you from point A to point B. I didn’t magically appear at point B, it was a step by step process. Yes, I’m successful with my home business because I understand the power of these Top 10 Keys To Success.

1. THE KNOWING

Knowing is everything. If you know that you’ll be successful, your success is assured given time, skills and persistence. but If you’re doubting if you’ll be successful, then the odds are against you. Knowing is the faith in the unseen. Seeing it first in your mind before it actually manifests physically. Knowing is an absolute certainty. You’re not wondering, wishing or thinking, you’ll be successful…you know it.

2. BE CONSISTENT

Where do most people fail? In being consistent. I know for me in the beginning this is where I was coming up short. Sometimes I give 100% and sometimes it would be 10%. With those numbers, my business was hot and cold. It wasn’t until I was consistently consistent each day that my business reflected it.

3. PERSISTENCE

I have persisted many times when I actually felt like crawling into bed and not getting up…but I kept going because I knew that every successful person faces adversity. If there were no problems, then everyone would be working from home creating large incomes. Of course, there’s been problems! Like the time I placed this large ad and put the wrong 800 number in the ad. Or the time I was talking to a prospect and couldn’t remember who I was talking to. Persistence is absolutely the key to success.

4. FOLLOW YOUR OWN HEART

With any business, there are always things to pull you off course and distract you. You’ve heard people say to “trust your gut,” or “follow your instincts.” I say follow your own heart. Here’s how I decide which way to go sometimes. I ask myself, “Is this moving toward my goal or away from my goal?” 

Fall in love with your business.  I love personal development. Since first reading Norman Vincent Peale’s “The Power of Positive Thinking” in 1984, I was hooked. So what would be a good business match for me? Personal development. Decide what it is for you. Do you like travel, cooking, financial or organic products? There’s a business for everyone out there. Follow your bliss! Find a business that you can be excited about…excited enough that sometimes you wake up at night thinking about the grand possibilities in your future.

5. ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Having an attitude of gratitude will transform how your life looks. Why is that? Because gratitude is a high vibrational energy that is attracting great things to you. Be grateful for all things in your life. Keep a gratitude journal of 5 things each day that you’re grateful for. When you see the world through appreciation, you’ll manifest people around you that are resonating at the same level.

6. BE OPEN TO NEW THINGS

How many times do we get set in our ways and don’t really want to learn new things or implement new ideas? Too often. Do you know that when I started my business in 2002 I had never sent an email? In fact, I didn’t even own a computer. Sounds funny to even say that now! Be open to ideas, people, and circumstances that are new to you.

7. CELEBRATE YOUR WINS

Celebrate even the smallest of wins. So often people look at what’s wrong or not working instead of what is working. Even when they accomplish a goal, they don’t even acknowledge achieving it, instead they’re already looking down the road for what’s next. Celebrate each step forward toward your goal. Even if it’s a check mark or a smiley face beside a daily goal. I love checking off my goals, I feel good when I do. So what do I do? I set all kinds of small goals for myself for the month so that each day or so, I’m checking off an accomplished goal.

8. UNDERSTAND THE LAW OF ATTRACTION

The Law of Attraction says that whatever you focus your energy and attention on, you will attract more of the same, whether it’s wanted or unwanted. Yes, we all have monkey chatter that goes on in our heads, a great question to refocus your energy is, “So, what do you want?” This question changes your vibrational energy from negative to positive. When you find yourself talking about lack of customers, poor sales, falling bank account or computer issues, remember to ask yourself what you do want. Talk about what you do want and your life transforms.

9. BE THE LEADER

People are eager for leaders that can show them the way. Not quite sure of your goal? How can you expect others to follow if you don’t know where you’re headed?  Get clear on where you’re going with your goals and others will follow you.

Not sure how to start with your leadership? Connect with other leaders that have gone before you. Find others that you can mastermind with. This is so powerful! Looking to be a better parent? Find other successful parents that you can mentor with monthly. Looking to start your own business? Find a successful entrepreneur that is in your niche. Actively look for groups that can assist you. There’s a multitude of groups online, just search them out.

10. SERVICE TO OTHERS

Being of service to others will always serve you. Call it “what comes around goes around,” people that have a servant’s heart will always attract great things because their intentions are pure.

Take a pay it forward mentality. This is key! Integrity is everything. Look for opportunities that you can assist others. Instead of paying others back for service or goods given to you, pay it forward to others. It’s a wonderful feeling to experience!

By Robert C. Notter

People often ask me what they can get out of their own way and grow their business. Honestly, if you want to know why your business is as it is, good and bad, you need to accept responsibility for the role you played in creating it. Perhaps the reason you don’t have as successful of a business as you’d like, is because deep down you don’t think it’s possible, or you don’t value your work as much as you should.

I know that we all have less than ideal days, from time to time. Often times people say “your challenges make you stronger.” And yes, I guess they ultimately do. That doesn’t make it any easier though, especially when you are in a financial crisis or struggling to find clients. What I do know, though, is that only you can decide what you do with your life and your business. I’d like to share some tips that can help.   I suggest you try this out, see what works for you, and at least take a first step. Your life is waiting.

Figure out how you keep yourself stuck - do you take action towards your goals, or do you sit around doing nothing? Do you call a friend for support, or just procrastinate? If the things you do are not bringing results, then do something different.

Be clear on your goals - what makes you happy; identify your goals and dreams. Spend some time and reflect on what will fulfill you, not just temporarily make you feel better. There is no glass ceiling, except the one you’ve imposed on yourself.

Focus on the positives - you get what you believe you deserve, and what you focus on is what you’ll experience.   If you are focusing on problems you tend to get more problems. Why not think about the solutions. If you focus on expanding your business, seeing yourself and others with more kindness and possibility, having gratitude, and changing your negative thinking, things will turn out much differently.

Accept where you are – you are where you are, and the only way to go is forward. If you don’t have enough clients, accept the fact that you’d like to find more business and then do something about it. Be real, don’t judge yourself, and make a plan for change.

Take action – work towards your goals every day.   If you really feel stuck, think about one thing you could do that may start the energy flowing again. Sometimes building a business may seem daunting, especially if you are only looking at the end result. So, take things one day at a time, and see each step forward as a move in the right direction.

Get support - having other people in your life with whom you share your concerns, whether friend, family, or business coach, will help you reach your goals more quickly.   A listening ear and an objective outlook can be priceless. You don’t have to do this alone.

By Robert C. Notter

Most of us spend a lot of time thinking about what we want to accomplish with our business. We imagine having many clients, and hope to achieve great success and financial freedom. The thing I often notice with clients, however, is how many people think about what they want, but never manifest their full vision. Nor do they create an action plan to make it happen. How can you expect to earn more money if you are just thinking about what you want and not taking the right steps to achieve your desired results?

Of course, you have to believe in yourself. So much of my coaching work is helping clients to own their worth and reduce the fears that get in their way. The other and equally important piece is to connect your higher vision with a practical action plan. Know what you want to accomplish and set the intention to do so. I plan for the future and create a success map each year. The following should support you to solidify your foundation and the steps you’ll need to do so.

Your Success Steps:

Know Why You Do Your Work: Are you still inspired by what you do? It’s important to continually focus on why you do your work – the work of helping people. Let this higher vision inspire you, even on dark winter days. Know that YOU make a difference.

Decide What You Want to Accomplish: Think about your goals, how many clients you’d like to have, how much money you want to make. Sit down, write out your goals for the next 12 months. Put the ideas on paper. When you get things out of your head, you become more focused.

Think Big: Don’t limit yourself. Be realistic, but dream big, go for your goals. I believe that you can accomplish anything if you truly believe it’s possible and set your mind to it. Stop playing small, you are not serving the world by doing do.

Match Your Marketing with Your Vision: What will it require to make your goals a reality; have you matched your goals with a tangible marketing plan and action steps? Develop a plan to consistently reach out and build relationships of trust. Work smarter, not harder.  And keep adapting your plan as you learn and grow.

Work with Clients You Love: When you work with people you enjoy, you will be more successful with those clients, and will have more energy to find even MORE ideal clients. Keep considering who is your ideal client, and think about how to attract people into your practice who energize and inspire you.

Get Support: Don’t over isolate yourself. You don’t have to do this alone. Other people are on your side, and want you to succeed. Be open and ask for help when you need it.

My Question to You: What is your next step? How will you put a plan together to manifest your vision, and translate that into more clients and a more fulfilling practice?  Focus on taking the first step now – one practical action that will start the Book More Clients energy flowing.  Take out your planner, set the time aside, and start accomplishing. Your business is worth it!