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The 12 Steps (Advice) to Entrepreneurial Success: Introduction

By Dr Paul E Adams |

Introduction

"Success is a journey not a destination." - Ben Sweetland

The other day I received an e-mail from a reader thanking me for pointing out the mistakes to watch out for as we strive to establish a successful business, however he feels I have not offered enough positive guidelines to be successful. Rightfully so. A topic I have been wishing to write about for sometime. Thus, I will write about the ever-popular topic "how to be successful" which I will title the "12 Steps to Entrepreneurial Success." Read on to find out what the first six steps are.

Drawing from my personal experiences as an entrepreneur as well as my research having analyzed dozens of books, papers and reports on success –some worthwhile others destined to oblivion- I have discovered a common thread of some “pretty good advice” I think you will find helpful and rewarding.

To start with, many think success in life or business is luck – and it may be for some, but not for most. As you cannot control “lady luck,” I will offer you 12 suggested steps of action that are within your control. Most students of success believe “getting what you want out of life” is 90 per cent you and 10 per cent luck. Most feel successful living is a cultivated habit if you wish it to be. Failure and despondency are also learned patterns of behavior-and not enjoyable ones.

What is success? It is achieving what ever we wish to accomplish in life. It does not have to be money prestige or power- a successful life is building the kind of life you wish- “smelling the roses” and enjoying the many pleasures of daily living. Regardless of your circumstances, it is possible to be thankful for life itself. We can always strive to build a “better life” the only one saying no is ourselves. As we can employ our talents to reap benefits, we too often use the same talents to make ourselves miserable. A simple example of self-induced misery is envy-it stills the pleasures of who we are and what we have.

I believe we all can enjoy successful lives. But, why are some successful and others not? Yet, most want the trappings of success- the money, the luxury life style, the power and the recognition. For those that inherit position and money, the externals of success are present, but real success is not. Success in my opinion is accomplishment, whatever that accomplishment may be. Entrepreneurs who are enjoying the fruits of their efforts agree that success in business requires skill, resources, and positive behavior. Is success all hard work? No, many who work with great effort find success eluding them. Is it charm and personality? It may be for some, and it may be short lived.

Can everyone be successful? To some extent yes- as true success means a life bringing a sense of satisfaction and well being, Celebrity status or riches may be success or it may be luck not bestowed on all who strive for such.

Do you have to have special talent to be successful-it helps, but it is not a prerequisite. The prerequisite is you and your approach to life. Some psychologists say we have a choice to be happy or be miserable. I think there some truth to such claims; unfortunately, many do not realize the choice is available to us.

Read on for the first step, "The importance of learning to understand ourselves." Or, who we are and why we do what we do- because before we can understand the motives and behavior of others, and become that successful entrepreneur we wish to be, it is necessary to look at our inner self.



  Introduction
  Step 1. Understanding Yourself
  Step 2. Getting Things Done
  Step 3. Apply Yourself- Don't Be Lazy
  Step 4. The Importance of Getting Organized
  Step 5. Keep Your Emotions in Check
  Step 6. Learn to Say No
  Step 7. Practice the "Golden Rule" in all of Your Affairs.
  Step 8. Avoid the Perils of Expansion
  Step 9. If You Want Success Ask for it. And Keep Asking.
  Step 10. Manage Your Money- Your Most Important Asset.
  Step 11. Recognize The Risk
  Step 12. A Sure Way to Fail: Quit too Soon!
  The Twelve Affirmations to Success

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