Volume I - Edition V
The Right Frame of Mind
As a home-based marketing consultant, I frequently get e-mail that reads
something on the order of:
"I really, really want to start my own business and maybe work at home…I don’t
have any start up cash and need funding...Network marketing, or selling are out
of the question, I’m just not a people person.
I’ve seen business that work on the Internet…but I have no computer skills and
think the learning curve will take to long...I urgently need to make more money
– can you help!"
Ouch…let’s take a good look at what this person message is really all about.
My first reaction is all the “don’t have”, “out of the question”, “have
no”...and the general overall tone of “Can’t Do” in this note.
If this person “urgently needs to make more money” and believes that business
ownership is the key, a new mindset is required. There really is no room for
negativity in business development.
If someone is determined to change their current situation they must have a very
positive can do attitude. Read success stories of individuals who have pulled
themselves out of poverty and impossible conditions to become highly successful.
I challenge you to find one person that did so with a negative frame of mind.
Before any change can take place they must believe that change is possible…and
that they can achieve the goals set before them.
The real alarm in this message is “the learning curve will take to long.” My
first reaction to this is yes it is—but the truth of the mater is how do you
know or are you just lazy.
Another characteristic this individual is demonstrates — one that may not so
obvious — is that of dependency. The very last phrase in the message states —
"can you help.”
The indication is, this individual thinks they are incapable of accomplishing
anything on their own. This might be exactly why they find themselves in an
“urgent need to make more money” to begin with.
When I was just starting out I would spend considerable time responding to these
types of requests. Rather than suggesting home business possibilities to them
based on their likes and dislikes, I would begin by recommending a reading list
on positive thinking and motivation. It would be pointless to send these
individuals off in any business direction, only to fail. They are simply not in
the right frame of mind. My responses are shorter—more direct now because time
is far more in demand.
Many people who exhibit these characteristics are often completely unaware of
the fact that their attitude is directly responsible for their inability to move
forward. When they are directed to resources that can help them to change their
thinking, these individuals often find the "missing link" that allows them to
finally break free of their negative thought patterns.
It is only then that they can, and often do, achieve things they never thought
possible!
This month's tip:
Geoffrey Colvin, senior editor-at-large- at Fortune Magazine suggests we create mental models of our business. Work on it. Make large mental models and watch your performance grow. Andy Grove of Intel could keep a model of a whole world-changing technology industry in his head and adapt as needed. Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft had the same knack: He could see a computer on every desk using his software. We do! But, Napoleon still leads the pack because he could not only hold all the elements of a large battle in his mind, he could also respond quickly when circumstances shifted.
Quote of the Month:
“The victory of success is half won when one gains the habit
of setting goals and achieving them. Even the most tedious chore
will become endurable as you parade through each day convinced
that every task, no matter how menial or boring, brings you
closer to fulfilling your dreams.”
Og Mandino,
Author of the book “The Greatest Salesman in the World.”