Can I Start An Online Business?
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In order for me to properly answer your question, you have to answer mine..
Do YOU believe you can start an online business?
Well, well, well... looks to me like you've just answered the very question you began reading this blog post for.
But wait!
Don't leave! ;-)
In order to start any type of business, you have to have the right mindset.
Many people want to experience having an online business and reap the rewards that come along with it but give up the moment they encounter their first speed bump.
Having the right mindset is an absolute must!
If you're easily disappointed, or you know that you're the type that gives up easily, then you should really change your mindset and strengthen your attitude before even thinking about starting an online business.
Here are 6 tips I believe will develop the mindset and attitude you need to build a successful online business:
Commitment
Having commitment towards achieving your goals is essential. It's easy to have this commitment when you start something new and exciting, but within the first few months (sometimes even weeks) it's also easy to loose that commitment.
When you encounter negativity along your journey towards starting an online business, affirm your commitment.
Affirm that commitment you made to yourself when you first starting thinking about opening an online business. That commitment of achieving your goals and whatever targets you set.
Baby steps is all you need to take, one achievement at a time build up towards bigger achievements in no time.
Remember that it's the small pieces of the puzzle that come together to make the puzzle complete. So, if you set a goal of making $300 in your first month but make $20 from one sale, acknowledge it. Don't let it cause frustration, 15 sales at $20 means you''' hit your $300 target.
Challenges Are Great, Accept it!
As the owner of an online business, whether your business succeeds or fails ultimately falls on you. You will encounter challenges and if you're starting this journey while still working in full time employment, that in and of itself will cause a challenge as well. But, please don't misunderstand me here, leaving your currently employment to focus on your online business, when you're starting out, is NOT a good idea.
Having an online business can be scary and somewhat intimidating at times. Encountering challenges is just a part of the game, but accepting and learning from them is a part of it too.
Not managing your time efficiently can easily become one of the biggest challenges to deal with. It's easy to sit in front of your computer for 8 hours and realize that you've done very little. Learn how to manage your time properly, to get the most out of it.
Take Control
As I mentioned before, your mindset is crucial if you want to survive as an online business owner. So keeping a positive mental attitude is super important.
Stay focused on the important stuff.
Set goals.
Set priorities.
Develop a strategic plan for dealing with potential problems. When those problems or challenges arise, feel confident in yourself. Take control and know that you have the ability to handle them appropriately.
What's the worst that can happen? Your online business fails?
"Failure" is NOT bad as long as you learn from it and move on. When you're starting out an an online business owner, as an entrepreneur of any kind, failure should never be an option. Focus on your achievements, on your successes, what worked, etc.
"I can" is just two tiny words but the most important words you should continuously repeat to yourself daily.
Don't Be Too Critical
You've made a mistake.
So what? We all do.
Criticizing yourself isn't going to change anything.
What criticizing yourself will do is: drain your energy and discourage you.
Learn from mistakes, and not only your own but learn from the mistakes of others as well. It's a lesson, take it as such and move on!
It's NOT Going to be Perfect
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT worry about getting everything right. Because guess what?
It will not happen, I don't like being the one to tell you this but you will not get everything right.
Again, learn, learn, and learn some more. Invest in yourself, take courses, online trainings, read books, continue investing in yourself - doing so also invests in your business simultaneously.
Ultimately, it's really your choice on whether you want to learn things the hard way by doing things and seeing what works and what doesn't. Or investing in yourself, listening or reading about what works, adapting it and making it work even better!
Work For Yourself, Not By Yourself
When you're starting an online business, you want to work for yourself, not by yourself. Don't think you're incompetent when you encounter something that you have no idea how to do.
Even the best, don't know how to do it all.
You may find that you need to create something such as an e-book but don't know how or don't have the time. Go to places such as Fiverr, and simply get someone else to do it for you. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Read about people who are successful in the online business world, they are a constant source of inspiration for us all - because they were once where you are, just starting out.