Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Self Fish

When I ask people why they enjoy fishing, they tell me about how they enjoy being out there on the water and just getting away.  But the thing they enjoy most is catching the game!!  The challenge of getting a bite on their line and the battle of bringing the fish in.  The fisherman walks away with a Victory and Dinner.  With that being said, why don’t we “Self Fish”?  Why not throw out a line and see what’s in us.  See what we like and don’t like about ourselves.  We may find a new hobby or create new goals.  Self Fishing will allow you to walk away with Victory and a meal (wisdom).  Self Fishing will break down the boundaries of why you make certain decisions.  In my last book Single Again, I made a comment about single people not wanting to be alone.  And I will restate it here, why would anyone else want to spend time with you if you don’t want to spend time with YOU? 

I know you are saying this Self Fishing thing sounds good, but how do you start?  I am glad you asked!!  First, get a sheet of paper and fold it in half the long way. Open the paper and on the top left-hand side, write the word “Enjoy”.  On the top right-hand side, write the word “Goals”.  Under the Enjoy side, write down the things you enjoy.  For me it would be writing, vacations, good food….and so on.  Write at least 10 things.  Then on the Goals side, write down goals you have.  It could be paying off credit cards, getting a college degree, paying off a car, buying a house, publishing a book or whatever your goals may be.  CONGRATULATIONS, you are Self Fishing!!  To go ever further, what you enjoy and your goals should relate.  Think about it!!  If you enjoy writing, then publishing a book could be a goal.  If you enjoy having no bills, paying off your car or credit card should be a goal.  They relate!!  You have just started the process of setting goals.  I am not trying to teach a class but you are learning more than just about you.  You are learning the process of getting where you want to go.  You don’t have to stop there!!  You can choose subjects such as Jobs, Businesses or Books and have an Enjoy and Goals column.  If you do some Self Fishing every few weeks, you will learn about you and what you can accomplish.  It’s OK to Self Fish!! 

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Think Small

I know what I am about to say may contradict what you have heard about starting a business, but it will help some of you in the long run.  Many people say Think Big when it comes to starting a business.  I agree with that concept a little.  Yes you should Think Big, but Think Small when it comes to application.  Don’t forget about the Think Big vision, but progress to it.  This gives you something to aim for.  Be mindful of your resources when it comes to application.  You don’t want to take out a $20,000 loan for your first business and then get in the business and realize you don’t like what you are doing.  And to make matters worse, the business is not making a profit.  Some say that all depends on planning, and I agree planning is important but it’s not everything.  There are plenty of people that have written excellent business plans yet the business didn’t do well. 

My view is Think Small when it comes to application. Think of ways to reduce the cost of starting the business.  Try to use the money you have available.  If that is not enough, get loans from friends and family, but be sure you are putting in your money first (hopefully most of it).  Why would anyone want to invest in your business if you aren’t even investing in it?  If you want to start a clothing store, why not sell your clothes to friends, at shows and conventions as a vendor first.  See how your product sells.  See what sells the best before you take out a loan to get a storefront and pack on overhead to your business.  See if you can stay afloat without the overhead of a lease first.  Yes, Think Small!!  This way, if you don’t like the business or there are changes you need to make (usually there are), there will be little loss.  Some professionals would call this a calculated risk.  I call this a Smart risk.  Please understand that no business will survive without some type of risk.  Why not minimize the risk?  That way if you lose, you lose small and gain wisdom.  But if you win, you win in profit and gain wisdom to go even further.  In all businesses, you will have to grow as you go.  I say “Grow through it.”  Just like college teaches you, so does experience.  Experience 101!!  So Think Big, but apply Small then graduate to the “Think Big” vision.