I'm unemployed...now what?

Many people believe that home-based businesses are beyond their reach and that the income they can make is either not enough for them to consider quitting their full-time jobs or that making a 5, 6 or 7-figure income is just too far fetched. However, studies have shown that in the wake of our economy, a large percentage of people have gone the route of home based businesses. Why? Unemployment runs out and bills need to be paid. Too much competition for the jobs that are available. Or simply, just a matter of being sick and tired of the corporate rat race. Whatever the reason, success with a home business is highly attainable as are the 5-6 and 7-figure incomes associated with them.

So where do you begin? Self examination is a great starting point. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you truly enjoy doing? Are you a great public speaker or do you prefer speaking to people in a more intimate setting? Are you good with computers or are you technologically challenged? Start with a list of things you’re good at and go from there.

What’s important to you? Being able to spend more time with your family? Pay off some debt, help a loved one? Determine your Why (and make sure it’s a strong one). A desire to be financially wealthy is a dream that most people have but surprisingly, it frequently fails as the #1 reason to motivate. Your reasons must have depth and meaning.

Next, talk to people who have attained success in their businesses. Pick a few brains! Ask questions and when you’ve gotten those answers, ask more questions. Conversely, research the competition. By familiarizing yourself with your competition, you can determine whether you can tweak your price points. If you don’t have the capability to do this, a killer marketing strategy is crucial to showing potential customers why they should purchase your products or service.

Promote your business every…single…day. Use various methods but you want and need to connect with people every day. Your success lies in the number of people that you put your business in front of. The more, the better.

With these tips in hand, achieving success in having a home based business is not as intimidating as it seems. Like anything else in life, knowledge accompanied with the drive to do something works hand in hand in achieving success.

Take Your Personal Growth Inventory

I recently attended a seminar where I learned in three days more information than I've learned in my entire career. It was enlightening and somewhat painful at the same time. It was like spending time with a really, really good therapist. The lesson that jumped out at me was the necessity to evaluate the ingrained or subconscious thinking that holds us back in life and business. The very interactive exercises are designed to get you thinking about the core values that either stagnate or propel you. If you're considering making some changes towards personal development, these tips can help you take those first steps. Evaluating your current position in life will make it significantly easier to make a clear path to your goals.

1. Write down your goals. When you write down what you plan to accomplish in your life, you can then take the necessary steps to achieve what you plan. Write down both personal and business or career related goals, then reflect on these goals weekly to see how your actions in the past week have brought your closer to your goals.

2. Visualization will help you stay focused on your goal. Whenever possible put a picture of what you want in an area that you will see every day. A picture of a flat stomach on the fridge will help steer you towards healthy food choices, while a picture of a vacation destination on your desk will help you save money.

3. Envision success. If you can see yourself succeeding within a reasonable range, you are more apt to succeed. If you can imagine yourself performing a task well, then imagine yourself celebrating your success, you will have less performance anxiety and it positive thinking will help you reach your goals.

4. If you want to be a better you, it is so important that you help others. Whether you do community service or simply help someone you see walking down the street, your good deeds will never go unnoticed to others or even to yourself. Helping others will really make you feel like a better you!

5. It is crucial that we recognize that it is not just a matter of being in the right place at the right time to realize success; it is being the right person, in the right place, at the right time.

6. Express your gratitude to the universe for every blessing that you receive, no matter how small. We receive 86,400 seconds in each day. If we spend just a few of those seconds saying "thank you", imagine the possibilities that will open up for you.

As you can see, personal development requires a customized approach. Your path to personal development will only succeed if you respect your own world view. By utilizing the above tips and staying true to your personal character, you can take the first steps to creating better habits and building a stronger you!