Do you know where your energy comes from?

No, not the gas or electricity, but the personal energy and enthusiasm you need to work long and hard at building your business.

Let's face it, no matter how much you love what you do, running and growing a small business is a lot of hard and sometimes frustrating work.

Actually, that is the key; loving what you do.

It's normal and natural. People often must force themselves to do what has to be done.

But it's also very normal to want to do things you enjoy even when we are tired or distracted.

Just ask any parent who has tried to get a child to do their chores how this works. Isn't it amazing how energetic that same child suddenly becomes when some pleasant activity beckons?

So, if you find yourself dreading your work, getting tired just thinking about your work, or finding other ways to avoid your work, you're probably not doing what you love.

As strange as it may sound - working your business should be fun!

Do what you love and love what you do. Your business will thank you.

Until next time,
Vanessa

Can Passion Lead To Prosperity?

We all know that to succeed in business we must either be or have a good salesperson on our team. But have you ever thought about what makes someone really good at selling a particular product or service?

If you think an effective seller is friendly, attractive and has thorough knowledge of the product, you're right.

But none of these are the biggest success factor.

It takes a sincere belief in what you're selling. It requires loving your product and your customers. It takes passion.

Last month's question was: Are you passionate about the vision you have developed for your business and it's future?

Passion is defined as an intense driving emotion; enthusiasm, devotion, and a strong liking or desire.

You started your business for a purpose and with a vision of what you want it to become. Do you still hold the same vision as you had when you started? How committed are you to your purpose?

Passion for your purpose will not only provide energy and enthusiasm for your sales efforts; it can also help keep you focused on your goals and provide the drive to continue when you run into the unavoidable setbacks that occur in every business.

If you don't have it, if you can't feel the intense need to find a way to let everybody know what you've got, then you might be in the wrong business. I'm not talking about being too shy to talk to folks you don't know. If that's the case you'll find someone to help get the word out while you practice and learn how to get over your bashfulness.

But when you do have that unshakeable belief in your business vision and in your product or service, you will also have what you need to get you through the canceled orders, supply delays, low cash flow months, and any other challenges that come along.

When there's passion behind your business, you will know it and your customers will notice. And they will respond.

This column focuses on easily confused words and common language mistakes.

Affect is an action to influence or produce a result.
Effect is the result or outcome of an action.

The passionate speech was meant to affect our emotions.
We don't know what effect the debate will have.

Advise means to give information or advice; to counsel or to warn.
Advice is the information, notice or recommendation that is given.

A good writer can advise you about correct grammar and spelling.
You should get an accountant's advice before preparing your taxes.

Your turn readers. What word foul-up drives you to distraction?

Think It Over
This month's question: Do you think integrity is an old fashioned or obsolete concept in the business world? How do you demonstrate your ethical standards? Next time we'll discuss how you can put this information to use.