Rules you should follow to become a successful entrepreneur

There is lot of sacrifice to be done if you want to be a successful entrepreneur.  You also have to dream big and have a clear vision. An entrepreneur will have to visualize success and feel it. . You should actively visualize success in your mind that you can almost feel it, touch it or it is within your reach. Play this image back at every opportunity. How will your life change? What will your business look like if you achieved the big milestone?

Probably all these you know. Here come the flip side, you will also have to maintain some rules to become success. May be it sounds a little difficult, it may not that difficult if you practice it earnestly.

First of all it your  attitude; successful entrepreneurs possess an attitude of openness and faith that you can have what you want if you can simply envision it as the first step on the path of action to acquiring it. Self-help gurus have taught us the power of visualization. If you want to be a successful writer, envision yourself signing books for a throng of people who have lined up to have your autograph. A personal development coach shared me her secret to help her continuously visualize her goals for the moment: when climbing stairs, recite your goal with every step you take. So if you want more money, say “I will have money” in every step of the stairs. This technique will reinforce your goal and keep it fresh in your consciousness.

You should never consider the possibility of failure.  You need to completely believe in yourself. Think that what you are doing will chip in to the betterment of your environment and your personal self. Self belief is quite a wonderful thing it can make you unbelievable things. You should have a strong faith in your idea, your potential and yourself. You must believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have the ability to recognize and fulfil them. The more you can develop faith in your ability to achieve your goals, the more rapidly you can attain it. However, your self-belief should be balanced with calculated risks that you need to take to achieve greater rewards. Remember no pains no gains.
Be passionate in everything you do. You need to develop or uncover an intense, personal passion to change the way things are and to live life to the fullest. Success comes easily if you love what you do. The most successful people will not be able to differentiate between their job and their hobby because both are essentially the same.  Entrepreneurs who succeed do not mind the fact that they are putting in 15 or 18 hours a day to their business because they absolutely love what they do. Success in business is all about patience and hard work, which can only be attained if you are passionate and crazy with your tasks and activities. The philosophy behind this simple, you will be able to bring the best when you absolutely

You have inherent strengths; you will have to focus on it. Everything cannot be done by everybody that is what makes us all unique.  To be successful, you need to identify your strengths and concentrate on it. You will become more successful if you are able to lead your efforts to areas that you do best. In business you know you have good marketing instincts, then exploit this strength and make full use of it. Seek help or support in areas that you may be poor at, such as accounting or bookkeeping. To transform your weakness to strength, consider taking hands-on learning or formal training.

An entrepreneur is always open for new learning.  You need not be highly educated to be an entrepreneur. In fact, there are a lot of entrepreneurs who did not even finish secondary education. Studies show that most self-made millionaires have average intelligence. Nonetheless, these people reached their full potentials achieved their financial and personal goals in business because they are willing to learn. To succeed, you must be willing to ask questions, remain curious, interested and open to new knowledge. This willingness to learn becomes more crucial given the rapid changes in technologies and ways of doing business.

You should have a meticulous plan. To achieve your vision, you need to have tangible goals that will   stepping-stone towards your ultimate vision. Write down your goals. You need to plan each day in such a way that your every action contributes to the attainment of your vision.  Intense goal orientation is the characteristic of every successful entrepreneur. They have a vision, and they know how to get there. Your ability to set goals and make plans for your accomplishment is the skill required to succeed.

The road to success is not easy you must persevere and have faith. In spite of your good intentions and hard work, sometimes you will fail. Some successful entrepreneurs suffered setbacks and resounding defeats, even bankruptcy, yet managed to quickly stand up to make it big in their fields. Your courage to persist in the face of adversity and ability to bounce back after a temporary disappointment will assure your success. You must learn to pick yourself up and start all over again. Your persistence is the measure of the belief in yourself. Remember, if you persevere, nothing can stop you.
Successful entrepreneurs are good networkers. You will have be in touch with a lot of people in Businesses always need assistance, more so small businesses. Maybe the lady you met in a trade association meeting can help you secure funding, or the gentleman at a conference can provide you with management advice. It is important to form alliances with people who can help you, and whom you can help in return. To succeed in business, you need to possess good networking skills and always be alert to opportunities to expand your contacts.

Successful entrepreneur’s works very hard. Brian Tracy puts it out this way, “You work eight hours per day for survival; everything over eight hours per day is for success.”  Ask any successful businessperson and they will tell you immediately that they had to work more than 60 hours per week at the start of their businesses. You should be prepared to bid good bye to your little pleasures to concentrate more on your work. You will have to live your business.
Self discipline is ultimate key to success. Thomas Huxley once said, “Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you like it or not.” Self-discipline is the key to success. The strength of will to force yourself to pay the price of success – doing what others don’t like to do, going the extra mile, fighting and winning the lonely battle with yourself.

Dr. Thomas Nechupadom heads Metanoeo,  a total transformation/ grooming company that has been the by word for grooming and dressing, personality enhancement and Social/Corporate Etiquette for many pageants including Ms.South India and Mannapuram Ms. Queen of India contest 2012.