In this post, I want to cover a topic that is not often discussed, but that I feel is often a root cause for new business failures. The topic is success and how others will react to successful people.

It is human nature that we gravitate towards those who are successful. Success indeed breeds success. So whether you are a new business owner or have been in business for a while you should exemplify yourself as being successful. Your mindset should be that of one who is successful. You need to think of yourself as successful, dress, and present yourself to others as being successful. I’m not talking about being arrogant or boastful, those traits will be viewed with a negative response from others.

The first step to success is having the mindset that you are successful. Think positive, and have a vision of where you want to be in a month, year, and five years from now. Then write down goals as a reminder to keep you on a path to success. Success starts today, this very minute and you have to start taking action now. It’s alright to dream big but be realistic. Taking one step at a time and moving forward is more effective for keeping you on your path than running after unrealistic goals.

Always be positive about your business and your business goals. Things aren’t always going to smell like roses and quite frankly we learn more from failure than we do from success. When failures do arise, immediately turn to why they happened and how you can prevent that action from occurring again. Remind yourself that you are successful and will overcome these and all setbacks.

Even when things aren’t going as planned, when someone asks, “How’s business?” Tell them business is good. You will not be lying because you are planning on making your business better. Whatever you do, don’t tell them your troubles and how bad you perceive things to be. First off, they don’t care. Secondly, they are probably happy that you have more troubles than they do. But most importantly, if they are a client or potential client they are not going to want to do business with you. The fact is, people, want to do business with those they view as successful.

A big part of being successful is surrounding yourself with people and influences to keep you in a positive mindset. I highly recommend reading a few books, I’ll add a list of those I recommend at the end of this post. Find a mentor, join groups of like-minded people, and attend seminars on achieving success. It’s also important to remove those negative influences and people who want to bring you down. You become the people and influences you surround yourself with so don’t be afraid to do some house cleaning.

Something I learned from my first mentor and I feel is the most important aspect of a business. Your business is a direct reflection of YOU! You deserve all the credit for having a successful business. However, there is no one to blame but yourself when your business is in shambles and not doing well. It is your responsibility to take the appropriate action to see that your business is a success.

Recommend reading list… They are not affiliate links, I just include them for your convenience.

• How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
• The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
• As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
• See You At The Top by Zig Ziglar
• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
• Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson

I hope that this article will be of help to you.

Photographically yours,
Larry