 What is the most important thing for success?
A big bank account? Tons of capital? Genius level IQ? A Harvard MBA? Working 120 hours per week? None of these. The most important element for success is mindset. How you think and what you think about is critical for success. Do you spend your time allowing your mind to wander willy nilly? Are you preoccupied with daily minutiae? Spending time on Facebook, Twitter and browsing the internet procrastinating? Your mind is doing you a disservice. You must focus on the things that matter. Set goals and focus your mind entirely on obtaining those goals. If you focus on fluff or negativity all the time, you'll get back negativity and fluff. If you focus on success and positive outcomes, you will get success and positive outcomes in return.  I just returned from a trip to Chicago, my former home. I was back to attend the International Housewares Show and check out the most recent kitchen and housewares for my shop.
I've exhibited at a number of trade shows, including NYNOW and Atlanta International Gift and love the energy at a good show. Believe it or not, many booths are staffed by the founders/owners of the exhibiting company and there's a real excitement in being around people who love their business and want to show it off to the world. If you're feeling in a slump with your business, it's time to see who's in your hive. If you're not surrounding yourself with other dynamic, exciting entrepreneurs, you're doing yourself and your business a disservice. Surround yourself with people that are excited about what they do, take action and reach for the stars. It's easy to pick up on other people's energy and let it affect your own mood. You need to either choose not to let it affect you or surround yourself with those that will have a more positive effect. It's an easy way to get back on track to have an inspiring business.  If you own a business, you are probably familiar with the never-ending battle of self doubt. Sometimes it's a real struggle to stay positive and keep negativity at bay, particularly in the middle of winter.
One thing I've noticed about successful people is that they don't give in to those negative voices or the self doubt. They just keep plowing through, keep their goals in sight, and do what it takes. This may seem so basic, but more people fall victim to the self doubt and keep themselves and their business small than those that break free and become wildly successful. I have a very hard time staying positive toward the end of winter. I don't know what it is: the grey skies, lack of fresh air, whatever, I just long for spring and find myself feeling blue. When you own a business or two, or several, you can't really afford to be blue because you have to serve your clients, customers and keep your business going and stay passionate. I was doing some reading last night and came across a great quote that I think is helpful for anyone feeling a bit blue right now. "To be ambitious for wealth, and yet always expecting to be poor; to be always doubting your ability to get what you long for, is like trying to reach east by traveling west. There is no philosophy which will help man to succeed when he is always doubting his ability to do so, and thus attracting failure. No matter how hard you work for success if your thought is saturated with the fear of failure, it will kill your efforts, neutralize your endeavors and make success impossible." French psychoanalyst Charles Baudoin I think this is a great quote to keep self doubt at bay. If your mind is preoccupied with negativity and failure, that is the direction in which you will go. You can follow all kinds of programs or systems, but if you don't actually expect to succeed, you will not. Your mind should be filled with images of success, realization of goals and you will move in that direction. |
AuthorSarah E. Holmes is a Philadelphia business attorney and strategist that helps start ups and established businesses looking to expand, protect their assets and increase their profits in an approachable, down-to-earth way. When you're looking for a business lawyer in Philadelphia, the Main Line or New Jersey, we can help. Categories
All
Archives
May 2022
|