Success stems not from what you do, but from how you think

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by Eve Haslam
on Thursday, April 28, 2011

As a jazz vocalist, I have to know the entire architecture of the song: where to breath, where to emphasize, where to pull back, where to build and where to release. For me to deliver the message at my best ability, my skills have to see me through with the end in mind. I not only have to care about how I sound but also understand the function of what's physically at work. I'm vocalizing during the inhale and exhale. My rib cage is freely able to move. My abdominal muscles have to be alert and connected. My core in activation. Meanwhile, the sounds and interpretations come simultaneously from my skill set and imagination - so in essence, I'm letting go while staying in control, all for the making of the perfect storm within me. It's between songs that I have to stay fit.

As it is with your business. It's the systems - the order of things - which need continuous tending to with the end in mind. Even if this is simply a reminder of what you already know, pause and realize that what it is that sets you apart is filling a void and the job you have now is the most important job you'll ever do because you're developing the DNA of your enterprise.

The heart of your difference will lie at the heart of your practice. Whatever stage you're in, from the whim to the launch to the advancement, "developing and honing" is the most important component of your journey. And whether you have a team in place or you're a solopreneur, it rests on you to know how to build your dream. You are accountable. You are the culture. You are the creator. You know your consumer better than anyone. You are the project manager, the visionary, the expert and the student all at once - your business is your signature. I recommend you seek council as if your life depends on it. Investors, loans and the shoestring budget. It's a classic symptom, feeling desperate for more funding to help your business. If you only had the money, you could invest in the location, in the equipment, in the expert help, and so on and so on. This obsession eventually replaces discernment. I cannot tell you how common it is for business owners to jump on the first offer that comes along - innocently led by their needy emotion, with a sole interest of what's best for the business - only to fall prey to a bad decision. Remember, a smart man learns from his mistakes, but a wise man learns from the mistakes of others.

As a progressive business coach, an expert in development, and as a coach who's being coached by the best coach in the business - I'm here to tell you that money isn't everything. You have to include deliberate, smart development. This requires getting and staying fit for your venture, because again - it's between the songs that I have to stay fit.

Along with funding, whether you receive it or provide it, the following are a few REQUIREMENTS for sustaining your launch Two Year-One Year-90 days-Weekly:
Goal setting, forecasting, planning and executing will become you're only way of life now. Routinely!
Track, measure and revise:
Monitoring and reviewing the results of your plan(s) is critical to making adjustments. This should be a scheduled process that occurs through regular effective meetings.
Delegation:
Plan your work then work your plan. Even if you're a business of one, manage yourself and assign specific tasks with a planned schedule. If you do have a team then it's all the more critical to communicate objectives and accountabilities.
Operating financials and cash plan:
Don't worry about getting it right at the outset, just get it! Have a clear sense of what your expenses are and how much you'll need to achieve your breakeven point. Knowing how much cash to expect each week or each month is part of the function of your forecast.
Marketing and forecast (strategic attraction):
Establish how many customers/clients/patients you need to attract and how much income they'll generate.

All through history and especially today during an exploding age of entrepreneurship, many have started their own businesses successfully by "bootstrapping" the startup. With a collective wealth of experience and expertise, you would do well to tap into this wealth from the gate. Gather data and do the RESEARCH!! Align locally with your business community. Interview other business owners. Barter temporarily. Converse with the trail blazers. Build momentum through buzz. Read everything about it!!! Hire a savvy business coach. Educate yourself and consider every viable option before you take the plunge. You stand to come out debt-free with no investors to answer to and no legal strings

Learn more, listen to a penetrating message about being in business, and contact Eve!

http://www.givingvoicenetwork.com/home.cfm

Sample Eve's jazz!

http://www.evehaslam.com/fr_home.cfm

Eve Haslam, Business Coach

828-707-0564