By Debbie LaChusa
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More Details about small business marketing here.
Struggle is Optional.
Sounds great doesn't it? Who doesn't want to believe that?
Those who promote this mantra argue that we often make things harder for ourselves than they need to be.
They believe that we actually create our own struggle. And, that if we learn to just "allow" then success will flow naturally to us.
There are a lot of people selling the promise that success is easy ... just do these five things and you'll be on your way to easy street.
As a result, I'm starting to see many people really frustrated when it's not as easy as they've been sold. I've even faced this myself.
The bottom-line is, being successful takes work.
Yes, there are times when everything seems to magically come together. But very often that's because of the seeds you've planted previously.
I've seen evidence of this in my own life. Where the people and things I need seem to magically appear right when I need them most.
However, in my experience, there's another, contradictory motto, "Anything worth having is worth working for" that also comes into play quite often.
Creating your own successful business takes dedication, persistence and good old fashioned "stick-to-itiveness."
And anyone who tells you otherwise is, in my opinion, not being honest. Getting clients can be tough. Perfecting your marketing can be a challenge. Juggling all the jobs a solo- professional must juggle can be draining.
Oh sure, there are those who get lucky and just happen to have the right business idea at the right time, but most of us work hard at it for years.
Look at any successful entrepreneur and odds are they've had some failures along the way. The business they found big success in is more than likely NOT their first venture.
So while the idea of "Struggle is Optional" is nice, I'm not sure it's realistic. And I don't think that's a bad thing. Because every experience we have is a learning experience.
Things don't always go smoothly OR the way we want them to go. But very often, that's because there are lessons we need to learn. And, in the end it's these lessons that move us toward the success we're striving for.
So, if you are struggling right now in your business or with your marketing, know that this is normal AND that you are not alone.
And use the following 6 tips to help you get through it:
(1) Just keep moving forward, one step at a time, do the best you can with what you have and be kind to yourself.
(2) Recognize that success is a journey, not a destination. Look for things to be grateful for every single day. Don't give up on your dreams. And, know that you do have a gift to share with the world.
Get the support of other solo-professionals or business owners in the form of a master-mind, support group or networking group. Don't isolate yourself and try to go it alone. Very often, just realizing that we're not the only ones dealing with these issues can make us feel better.
(4) Relish the days where everything seems to flow effortlessly because you WILL have them ... just don't expect them every day.
(5) Remember that each step you take, even the challenging ones, is moving you one step closer to success.
(6) Stay on the path and trust that you will get there. It may take longer than you planned, in fact it probably will. But if you're diligent and keep working toward it, you will find success.
(C) Copyright 2006 Debbie LaChusa
Keywords: small business marketing
About the Author
Debbie LaChusa, San Diego, CA, USA
debbie@10stepmarketing.com
More Details about small business marketing here. Debbie LaChusa created The 10stepmarketing System to make marketing your own business as simple as answering 10 questions. Learn more about this unique, step-by-step system and get a free 10-week Marketing E-Course when you subscribe to the free, weekly 10stepmarketing Ezine at www.10stepmarketing.com |
