| What are the three keys to self improvement and | | | | But can a business plan really help motivate you? Of |
| motivation? | | | | course. Written goals will make you feel more |
| 1. INSPIRATION. | | | | professional and certainly more connected to your |
| Inspiration is critical to staying motivated and | | | | business. It will also free you from having to reinvent |
| improving oneself. If you are not interested in your | | | | your business goals every single day. |
| business, your motivation level will never be high and | | | | 3. NETWORKING. |
| you will not be able to sustain interest for very long. | | | | Another key factor in getting and staying motivated |
| Take an honest look at your inspiration level. Are you | | | | is networking with other small business owners. No |
| excited about going to work or is it an obligation? | | | | one person knows all the knowledge. |
| You would be surprised at the number of people | | | | However, when a number of people begin working |
| who choose a business that looks good on paper, | | | | together, the challenges will just be there waiting to |
| but in reality does not interest them in the least. | | | | be conquered. |
| These individuals will grow weary and uninterested | | | | In fact, the isolation of working alone is of one the |
| pretty quickly because they have no inspiration or | | | | most difficult parts of being an entrepreneur. You can |
| passion to sustain them during the difficult times they | | | | never be on your way to self improvement without |
| will encounter as a small business owner. | | | | the help of others. Mutual support is motivating. |
| If you do not like your work, then think how you | | | | Make it easier on yourself by connecting with others |
| can re-focus your small business to better match | | | | either in your community or online. Even when |
| your needs. Or consider making a change entirely. | | | | businesses are not related, you will often find |
| Without inspiration, there will not be motivated to | | | | common ground and ways to work together. |
| even try self improvement. | | | | Many successful entrepreneurs report that finding the |
| 2. SETTING GOALS. | | | | right networking group was a turning point in the |
| Short and long-term goal setting is vital for any | | | | growth of the business. Working together, a |
| business owner. If you do not set goals, you would | | | | networking group can help its members generate |
| have no definite purpose on which path of self | | | | more qualified sales leads and solve problems faster |
| improvement to take. | | | | and more efficiently. |
| How could you possibly be motivated if you were | | | | Sharing ideas, expertise and experience is also an |
| unsure about the direction of your company? | | | | invaluable aspect of motivation and self improvement. |
| Take the time to put your goals in writing. A business | | | | Your own personal team of business owners will help |
| plan may sound daunting, but it is really nothing more | | | | re-energize you when the burdens of running your |
| than goals, strategies, implementation and a budget. | | | | own business seem too much. |
| Write your own business plan and update it at least | | | | With your networking team to rely on, you can |
| annually. | | | | accomplish more in less time and probably have more |
| Include "mini-goals" that can be accomplished in a | | | | fun in the process. You will feel motivated to |
| matter of hours, days or weeks as well as the more | | | | accomplish self improvement when you know you |
| ambitious "grand-goals" that may take years to | | | | are not alone. |
| complete. Refer to this plan throughout the year. | | | | |