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Thwart: to frustrate, foil, block, stop, or to obstruct, hinder or hamper.

Many of us are quitting before we've actually had the chance to put our business plans into motion. We often find that we're coming up with these great ideas and plans, but when the ball is ready to roll, we end it there. The reality is, plain and simply, we aren't ready to run a business. We like playing around with the idea of being in business for ourselves; who wouldn't? It's very empowering, enlightening and uplifting.

But then the realness of running a business comes into full view. You wake up and realize that, wow this really is hard work and the romantic idea of being an entrepreneur fades. You now understand that being in business for yourself is a huge challenge. It takes bravery, dedication and commitment on a daily basis. If you don't work, and decide to play for the day, you'll know it because your accounts will register a big fat zero at the end of the day. Quite frankly, if you don't work, you don't eat.

So like many dreamers you stuff the greatest business idea of the millennium into a file folder and bury it. You bury it way deep down inside your drawer where you'll hopefully forget all about it, and so it collects dust. But here's a revelation. How about just tossing the concept out for good, sending it to "good-idea-heaven?"?

You hold on to this folder with the remarkable idea because depositing it into the trash disrespects the dignity of it somehow. You know that it doesn't belong in there, yet you're not ready to let go of it completely. Now we're getting somewhere aren't we?

You were really hoping that oneday you'd actually be fully prepared to be your own boss, running that wonderful enterprise you dreamed up.

Do you think that it might be time to do some personal housekeeping in preparation for when someday finally arrives?

In the meantime, here are a few things for you to reflect upon:

(1) What do you really want to see happen?

No, this isn't a rhetorical question. It's one that you must answer. Finding out what you really want, knowing your vision for your personal future and your life is key. This is the starting point because it has a whole lot to do with the type of business you'll operate and how you'll do it.

What would be the one thing that would prevent you from being successful with your business idea?

Many of us know the answer to this question, but this tends to be a bit vague. For example, you may already understand that you do not manage your personal finances very well, but that's much too general. You'll need to do some in-depth exploring to find out what's specifically in your way. Knowing this, you'll be able to set a plan in motion that will help you fix the problem--before you begin your business.

(3) Understand that you must have a desire to fill a need.

That's what being in business is all about: filling the needs/demands of society. You find a whole and fill it. If you find a service or product that can be improved upon, you do just that--improve it. If you have no desire to do this, trust that being an entrepreneur is not for you. It is impossible to be successful in business if you don't have a desire to fill the needs and demands of the people. This means listening to what they say, or paying attention to what they want versus what they don't. It's not about you; it's always about them.


Copyright (c) 2008 Aunice Reed