Overcoming Barriers To Home Business Success
When we decide to start a home business, most of us are eager to
get moving and achieve the success we know we're capable of.
Some of us go full steam ahead and immediately start seeing
results, while others seem to keep running into snags and
obstacles no matter how hard we try to get ahead. It's important
to consider that we may have subconscious issues that are
preventing us from moving forward and achieving the success we
desire.
If you've been struggling to make a success of your home
business and feel like you've got invisible walls holding you
back, ask yourself these five questions:
1) Are you afraid of success? Most of us THINK we want to be
successful, but deep down inside we fear it. Why would anyone
fear success? Because being "successful" often comes with a lot
of baggage. We aren't necessarily afraid of the success itself,
but what comes along with it. We might find ourselves in the
spotlight and have more attention and admiration thrown our way.
That sounds like a good thing, but it can be unnerving if we're
not prepared to deal with it. We might also find ourselves with
increased responsibility. Can we handle the pressure and do what
is required of us? Can we properly support a large team and
customer base? What if we don't have what it takes? As these
thoughts keep floating through our mind, self-doubt creeps in,
and we find ourselves shying away from the activities that could
bring the success we desire. The best remedy for these fearful
thoughts is to keep affirming your own ability to handle
whatever comes your way. Take some time to study the aspects of
business you fear, such as building long-term customer
relationships and leadership techniques. Knowledge is power, and
as you learn and grow, your confidence will also.
2) Are you afraid of rejection or ridicule? This is a big issue
for some of us. If we have a big enough fear of rejection, we
will avoid seeking new customers, clients and recruits. A
wonderful technique to overcome this fear is to practice
releasing your expectation of the outcome. When you approach a
potential customer or recruit, make it your mission to put the
information in front of them, and not get hung up on whether
they will buy or sign on. It can be helpful to set "action
goals" versus "results goals" also. For example, instead of
making it your goal to gain five new customers each week, make
it your goal to APPROACH twenty potential customers each week.
Don't worry about how many will join you, just focus on
perfecting your presentation and being helpful, professional and
available. If you have a good product and a positive attitude,
people will be attracted to you and want what you have to offer.
Your job is simply to make it available.
3) Do you have negative emotions about money? While we dream of
having a large, successful business that pays well, many of us
also have negative thoughts about people who have a lot of
money. We fear becoming one of "them" -- snobby, rude rich
people. We might also feel guilty about having a lot of money
when so many people in the world have nothing. If you have
negative issues attached to money, you will resist the
manifestation of it in your life. Your mind and heart will be at
war and not allow you to create the wealth you truly want and
deserve. The thing to understand about money is that it's simply
the physical representation of abundance in your life. Money
itself is not good or bad. It's what you do with the money that
gives it positive or negative connotations. Just because you
begin earning a lot of money doesn't mean you will turn into a
snob. You can choose your attitude and remain just as kind and
compassionate as you are today. And by having plenty of
financial resources at your disposal, think of all the people
you could help. Rather than feeling guilty about having a
comfortable life, you can reach out and share your wealth with
others.
4) Do you lack confidence? Lack of confidence in yourself, the
company you represent, or the products you are selling can hold
you back also. Confidence, like anything else, is a learned
skill that grows stronger with practice. If you are new to your
home business, you might shy away from approaching potential
customers and recruits because you aren't comfortable with the
procedures yet, or feel you don't know enough. You might be
afraid that people will ask a question you can't answer.
Remember the first few times you drove a car? You were nervous
and cautious, weren't you? Are you more confident driving now? I
bet you are, because you've done it thousands of times. You can
also become comfortable with the aspects of your home business
that frighten you, by simply practicing until you feel more
comfortable with them. Devote some time to memorizing your
prospecting script, the benefits of your products, and your
approach. Write it all down and read it aloud over and over
again until you've memorized it and feel more comfortable with
it. Your confidence and enthusiasm will then shine through and
attract success.
5) Are you afraid of failure? Some of us never even get started
because we're so afraid we might fail. We're afraid to even try
to make our dreams a reality. It seems safer to stay in our
unhappy circumstances, because even though we aren't satisfied,
at least they are familiar and comfortable. The unknown is
scary. But if we don't try, we'll miss out on the chance to make
our lives better. Progress and advancement in life is not gained
by sitting meekly on the sidelines; we need to actually get in
the game and start playing! The only true failures in life occur
when we give up or don't try at all.
No matter what fears hold you back, know that you have the power
to overcome them and achieve every success you desire. Simply
begin changing your negative thoughts to positive ones, and take
steps to make your dream a reality. When you come up against
something that frightens you or makes you uncomfortable, know
that you've just encountered an invisible barrier to your
success. You can choose to let it defeat you, or you can smash
it to bits by pushing right through it.