I share this with you not to brag – but rather because, for me, this has been a pretty significant breakthrough that I think brings lessons I can apply to other areas of my life. For as long as I can really remember, certainly since high school, I have struggled with food and maintaining a healthy diet. For years I have known that I wasn’t eating particularly well – but dealing with it in any sort of lasting and meaningful way – has always seemed more than a little bit overwhelming. At least twice a year, I’ve discovered a new book at Barnes & Nobles, with the latest low carb or high protein or food combining “solution,” and have convinced myself that finally THIS is the diet I am going to follow. THIS one will be the answer to those extra pounds. THIS time I’m going to stick with it. I get started with a vengeance, making lists, hitting the grocery store, sorting through new recipes. And time after time, usually in less than a month, one day “off the diet” turns into 3 days, which turns into a full week…you get the picture.

So what changed? I think there was a powerful shift for me in defining what it means to be disciplined when it comes my diet.  First of all – you notice I said 90% vegan…In the past I have really hurt my chances of success by approaching eating with an “all or nothing” attitude. I tried to eat a certain way ALL of the time. For most of us this leads to feelings up deprivation that we simply cannot maintain long term. Now, if I really want a cheeseburger, I have a cheeseburger. If I go out to a restaurant or a party with friends, I don’t try to convince myself not to have whatever delicious things are being served. If I want them – I have them.

Another important aspect of my success with this diet has been my commitment to actual education. Not the latest fad…but actually finding and reading the research that has been done on the ways our bodies respond to the food we feed ourselves. I’m certainly not suggesting that there is necessarily one right way to eat. However, the key is that I have a clear understanding of why I am making the choices I am making. The more I read, the more committed I am to this change in lifestyle and the results I’m seeing right now, support the belief that I will continue to see amazing long term benefits.

What if we take these two “tips” and apply them to how we approach discipline in our businesses?

Specifically, I think that for many of us there are strong parallels between the ways in which we handle our diets and the ways we handle our money. Like being healthy, consistent money management and financial organization is not something that is going to happen automatically. It does take discipline to ensure that your financials are in order. You can’t organize those receipts or sit down in front of Quickbooks once or twice – and expect to have any last results. Still, acquiring this discipline is without question worth the effort as the rewards will certainly last a lifetime. Strong financial management and organization is the only way  you can expect to have the necessary information with which to make informed business decisions regarding your company.  As entrepreneurs we can also only  reach our financial goals and objectives if we regularly take the time to evaluate our progress, set new targets, and define the tasks required to hit those targets.

But I encourage you to look at whether you have been approaching financial management with the same “all or nothing” attitude that I mentioned earlier in this post. Are you perhaps guilty of having an image in your mind of what it means to really be on top of your financial situation – and then actually doing little or nothing because you recognize you are falling so far short of perfection? Do you dive into financial projects with a vengeance – spending hours  creating charts and sorting receipts – only to exhaust yourself and get so burned out you don’t even look at your bank statements for 3 months? How much better would it be if you tried to take more bite sized, but consistent actions when it comes to handling the business finances?

Also – have you neglected the financial education that is critical for your success? Small business owners often mistakenly believe we can have a loose understanding of money because once we have “lots of it” we won’t need to worry about all that accounting stuff. The problem of course is that it’s extremely unlikely we will ever have “lots of it” because we don’t understand the money rules and activities that will actually bring financial prosperity.

Discipline itself is a characteristic that every entrepreneur should work toward. What business partner, investor, customer or employee for that matter would not want to work with or for someone who has mastered this important quality?  Not only will you feel better about yourself, but your business will be so much more likely to succeed if you are able to develop the discipline necessary to maintain the daily, weekly, and monthly activities that keep your business growing and moving forward. But be kind to yourself. Find the ways you can steadily improve – moving towards the ideal – but not beating yourself up for the ways you fall short.

At Abundance Bound we teach entrepreneurs how to consistently take these small but powerful steps forward. Visit http://www.AbundanceBoundSystem for more information.

It was wonderful watching him try so hard and as I stood there, I realized that even 35 years later in life, I too struggle to wait – and to let things happen in their own time. As I speak with entrepreneurs, I find that a common ailment amongst us, is patience. We want our efforts to pay off now! We want to see our labor unfold into immediate success. Small business owners often must work months and even years at a time before achieving the goals we’ve set for ourselves. And while it’s not quite as simple as sitting on our hands, we too must find a way to stay the course, even when things take longer than we would like.

A related lesson for entrepreneurs – one that  we also work to teach our children – is Persistence. It’s not just a question of waiting for the things we want. We must also persist in whatever work it takes to achieve our goals. And of course the work isn’t always fun and inspiring. Sometimes it’s tedious and challenging and just plain hard. And yet, if we give up when it gets rough, in all odds we won’t be long in business. Ultimately, persistence pays off. And if I can just be terribly annoying and use a favorite bedtime story as an analogy: Are you going to be the little engine who could, OR the entrepreneur who can’t?

Especially when it comes to financial education, persistence and patience are qualities an entrepreneur simply cannot do without. While effectively dealing with money is rarely something that comes naturally, it is like learning to ride a bike or anything else that’s new. If you stick with it, you will ultimately master money management and the tools you put in place to stay on top of your business financials will become like second nature.

Success rarely happens overnight. And yet, of those business owners willing and able to stay the course, most look back with gratitude for the patience and persistence that brought them across the finish line. At Abundance Bound we believe that these two virtues come significantly easier to those entrepreneurs who surround themselves with support systems.  To learn more about the ways we can support you in the patient but persistent growth of your business, visit http://www.AbundanceBoundSystem.com.

I spent a great deal of time in thought about the whole situation. I turned to other business colleagues asking for their honest opinions about what had occurred. In the end, I absolutely accept that mistakes were made on my part AND can honestly say that I fundamentally disagree with the accusation that my actions, at their core, were in any way unethical.

At the end of the day, as painful a time as this was, I think it raised an important question that we must all address as business owners: How much are you thinking about business ethics? The truth is that the more your business grows – the more you will face decisions about the “right” way to handle things.

There will be times where right and wrong are pretty clear and straight forward.  Hopefully, we all grew up learning not to lie, cheat or steal – basic principles that of course hold true in all aspects of business. There are certainly no grey areas when it comes to how you handle your money. As business owners we must ensure our financial record keeping is clear and honest, that our customers are billed accurately, and charged fair prices for quality products and services. Accurate reporting of your earnings and prompt payment of any taxes owed – will allow you to avoid costly penalties and ensure the longevity of your business.

However, there will also be situations where the “right path” might not be as clear. Will you take on a client whose company competes with a friend or business associate? What about a client with political opinions drastically opposed to your own? Would you consider outsourcing a service you need to a foreign country to significantly cut business costs – even in the midst of an economic crisis in your own country? These are just a few examples, but it is quite possible for two fundamentally honest and ethical business owners to disagree on one or all of these questions.

The only successful people are those who can sleep at night after a hard day’s work. Just because someone can reach their financial objectives quicker by cutting corners does not mean that they won’t be giving up something priceless along the way. Spend some time thinking about who you want to be and what you want your business to represent.  Then if there is ever a question of your ethics being tested, you can turn back to – and remember your ultimate goal.  Everyone is not going to like and agree with your choices. But it is important that YOU can stand behind them.

While there has been much in the news as of late that might make us think otherwise, the truth is that you can achieve all the success you want in your small business, with your ethics fully intact.  For resources to support you on your journey visit http://www.AbundanceBoundSystem.com.

Owners who have experienced success in their small business are often masters of being creative. Thinking outside the box creates endless opportunities. Entrepreneurs who cannot force themselves to be inventive  and to become “creative problem solvers,” have a long, tough road ahead of them.

While it may come easier to some more than others, creativity is possible and attainable for all of us and in fact can be the key to solving problems, moving forward and growing in every way.  When it comes to marketing your products and services, are you just following the pack (boring!) or do you constantly brainstorm ways to stand out from the crowd?  What makes you unique?  How can you use your imagination to capture the attention of your target audience?

Financial objectives and financial organization can also be greatly influenced by the use of creativity. Now don’t get me wrong, the last thing you should do is stretch the truth in your reports. Using fair and honest accounting principles is essential. But what about finding creative ways to cut costs? Use non-name brand office equipment. Take a late flight instead of paying for a hotel. Find a talented and motivated student to create your website rather than paying top dollar for an established designer. These are just a few examples where creativity with your finances can really pay off in the long run.

Creativity is the starting point for innovation, which is the force that drives small businesses to the top. As I work to meet the needs of my clients, I strive to find new ways to make the information engaging. Let’s face it – just the words “financial education” can make people’s eyes glaze over as they fight back an enormous yawn. So I’m faced with a choice. I can just try to hammer home the point that understanding money is important OR I can take risks – try new things and be open to outside input, constantly seeking creative ways to make the learning accessible and even fun.

Throughout the sea of constant change, endless road blocks and the curious unknown, being open to creative solutions  will likely provide all of the answers any entrepreneur will need. Learn more tips to bringing creativity to every aspect of your business operations at http://www.abundanceboundsystem.com.

So here’s the thing: I had the very best intentions and absolutely NO customers.

I spun my wheels for months. There’s no question I was working hard. The problem was that I didn’t really know what I was doing. You see – I was an expert at financial education – I wasn’t an expert at marketing and client attraction and all of the elements of building a business that ensure you have a steady stream of prospects who can benefit from your products and services.

All of that changed the day I found a marketing mentor. I made the decision to invest in my business and signed up for 8 months of private coaching with someone who had a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs attract clients. I listened, learned and applied her teaching and my business grew with a speed and consistency I could not have imagined. There’s nothing better than learning from someone who can honestly say they’ve been there and done that. Something about hearing from someone who has conquered the very hurdle you’re about to jump gives you an edge you would not be able to get any other way. Let’s face it, it’s faster (and less painful) when we have the opportunity to learn from mistakes that were made by those who have gone before us, rather than always learning from the mistakes we make ourselves.

Unlike the game of chess, the business world does not really have specific rules. Because of the lack of rules, those who have experienced the challenges you are about to face first hand are your best allies, in navigating the often unpredictable waters.  Sure, you know a lot. But do you know everything? Of course not. There will always be things you can learn that will help you take your business to the next level. This is why constantly seeking out and working with mentors is so crucial in your pursuit of success.

Never take the job of selecting a mentor lightly. You want to learn from individuals who have themselves created success. Small business owners who are considering working with a mentor, should take the time to speak with them directly. Ask if you can talk to one or more of their former or current clients. Make sure their coaching style is a fit for you and your personality. Remember that over time you will most likely have multiple mentors – experts in different areas who can help you to develop the skills you need to keep moving forward. The magic of the internet and the ability to receive quality coaching via teleseminars and webcasts, means we are not limited by geography as we seek out the best people to help us learn and grow.

At Abundance Bound we strive to create a community that brings the experience, mentoring and encouragement you need to be successful in your business. Visit http://www.AbundanceBoundSystem.com to learn more about this powerful support network today.

It got me thinking about how often as adults – especially as solo entrepreneurs – that we feel like we’re just running round and round in circles. The problem for us is that it certainly isn’t fun. When we feel like our businesses have stopped growing and like all our hard work is no longer moving us forward, it’s easy to get exhausted and discouraged.

Over the years, I’ve found 3 places I look first when trying to pull myself and my business out of a “rut.”

1. Business plan

Traditional business plans generally include things like an executive summary, mission statement, description of products & services, company vision, goals & objectives, and an overall financial plan. All of these things are important, and if you don’t have them on paper – you should. However, what I’m talking about here is a detailed model that lays out clearly how you intend to achieve your target revenue goals.

Each January, you should decide how much you would like your business to earn for the year. Then, map out precisely what it will take to reach that number. Itemize the different products and services you currently offer as well as those you will be introducing. What are the prices of each product and service? How many of each will have to be sold for you to earn the amount you want?

This process will firmly direct the daily, weekly and monthly tasks and activities you will have to implement to achieve your revenue targets. Each month, you will want to evaluate your progress to determine if you are on track or if changes need to be made for you to reach your goals. Achieving this clarity of purpose goes a long way towards staying on the path of progress.

2. Marketing, marketing, marketing!

Show me a company that isn’t marketing their business in multiple ways and constantly introducing new and fresh marketing ideas – and I’ll show you a business that is stuck.

Draw a circle on a piece of paper and divide it into 8 slices like a pie. Now fill in each slice with a different way you are currently marketing your business. Some examples might include: advertising, articles, joint ventures, networking groups, etc. Many of us will find we can only fill in a few slices. To achieve constant and lasting growth we need to be able to fill in the entire pie – and that’s at a minimum! Adding additional marketing sources that you use on a regular, consistent basis will help your business take a leap forward.

3. Delegating

Let’s face it – there’s a lot that needs to get done to run a small business. Success comes faster to those of us solo entrepreneurs who realize that we simply cannot do all of it ourselves. My virtual assistant is one of the best additions I made to my company 6 years ago and now I cannot imagine life without her. Assess the work you have to do and figure out what other people can help you with. Find individuals you trust who understand the message of the company.  Delegating can be one of the hardest things to do for a small business owner who is used to running the show.  Being able to hand over the reigns and trust that things will get done the right way, is a big accomplishment.

Consider developing an operations manual and task descriptions to create a smooth transition.  Knowing what you want people to do and having them understand their responsibilities as it pertains to the job, makes for a much better run business.

The next time you find yourself running in circles it should be because – like my son – you really want to! At Abundance Bound, we teach small business owners and solo entrepreneurs how to effectively focus on the areas that will give your business the healthy kick start it needs to get you moving in the right direction. Visit http://www.AbundanceBoundSystem.com for the support that will put you on the path to success with your small business.

In the years that I worked for other people, I was so frustrated by the complete lack of control that I had over my life. We all know the drill…showing up and leaving at the same time each day, being told when we can have lunch or take a vacation, trying to look busy even when we’ve finished our work because heaven forbid we should just be able to go home early…

It was a desire for independence that led me to start my first business. I certainly had good intentions and a strong work ethic but I also had absolutely no clue what I was doing. The truth was that I lacked the fundamental understanding of money that was required to keep a business afloat. Once I realized this, I focused on studying with the best financial experts I could find, gaining the financial tools, knowledge and understanding I needed to be a successful entrepreneur.

The results I saw in my own life were what led me to the creation of Abundance Bound – a company that focuses specifically on the niche of helping people start and build their own businesses with the strong financial foundation and planning in place that allows them to grow and thrive as entrepreneurs. I love being able to spare my clients from some of the many, many costly mistakes I made in my early years of being small business owner.

A small business that tries to do too much can, often times, have difficulty achieving success.  Small business ideas that focus on a niche market can quickly surpass competitors who only dabble in that area.

Take for instance a small business that makes only rice pudding.  But they make rice pudding in every flavor imaginable.  Or a restaurant that only serves macaroni and cheese, but the combinations of flavors makes it a unique treat.  If I want great rice pudding or macaroni and cheese (two of my personal favorites by the way…) I am far more likely to seek out the specialists than I am to just run into my local grocery. Those two companies are focused on a niche market and even if a large chain restaurant opened on the same street and offered macaroni and cheese plus rice pudding on their large menu, those two small businesses would still rake in the customers who want the specialty that they offer.

The ideas mentioned above are real examples of two businesses that exist in Manhattan that have achieved success.  Small business owners can follow this type of focused model can achieve and maintain the same success.  The secret is to find something that you have a passion for and will appeal to many people, add something unique to it and focus solely on making it the best that it can be.

A great niche business with a web presence has an advantage over a small business on the web with no specialty.  It is easier to get targeted web traffic to make a purchase than general web traffic going to a site that has a variety of products or services to offer. Small business websites that offer their niche product in a unique way can turn a great profit in a small amount of time.

I encourage you to make sure that as an entrepreneur you are not trying to be all things to all people. Visit http://www.AbundanceBoundSystem.com – We can help you to find that need that you fill better than anybody else, focus your efforts there, and you’ll be well on your way to success with your small business.

I’m evaluating a viral listbuilding software tool from the folks at ListHero.com. It’s the fastest, simplest and easiest way to build your list that I’ve seen in a long while.

Here’s all you do…

Create a short ad that promotes your newsletter or ezine

Add some code to the pages of your website

… sit back and watch your list grow.

ListHero helps you generate 1,000’s of highly targeted subscribers for free and pays you generous affiliate commissions as your list grows.

I’ll let you know what I think of it once I’ve had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile go grab access to this  viral listbuilding software while it’s still free.

Well, just like a small dog who thinks he is a Great Dane, a small business doesn’t always have to act small.  Small dogs know their strengths and use them to their advantage.  They know they can be more agile, move quicker and get away with things because they are cute.  A small business has more flexibility, quicker response times and more personal customer service than the bigger guys.  Knowing your strengths is the key to success.  Small business owners who know what to focus on can take their business to the top.

A small business should never assume that because they are small they do not need to polished and professional.  They should operate with a big attitude and dress for success.  From interviewing, hiring and training to day to day work schedules, work policy and customer service, a small business should operate on a large scale.  All procedures and policies should meet the standards of any big business.

You want to make it clear that you intend to be around for a long time and are not a fly by night company.  You want to instill confidence and trust in your patrons or clientele by offering the security of a big company, but with the personalized service of a small business.  Everyone knows that a small company can give the client more attention and for this reason a smaller company is preferred most times over a larger one.

I call on my fellow solo entrepreneurs to remember that while we can learn from the big guys, we also have our own style and way of doing things that makes us special. It has always been important to me to limit the number of clients in our private coaching program. While I know there are companies that take on dozens (or even hundreds of clients at a time), I offer a personalized and hands on coaching style that ensures results for the individuals and businesses I work with. Most small businesses can adapt to more special requests or changes than a large business.  They can also get things done much more quickly than a larger business, as there is not as much red tape and organizational chain of command to go through.  This alone is a big draw for clientele who want to be able to have personal interaction and have input on the result.

To achieve success as a small business owner, choose to focus first on quality and second on quantity. Small business owners who can compete with the big guys in professionalism and procedure but offer their own specialty revealing their own strength, will almost always be the winners. Stop by http://www.AbundanceBoundSystem.com for powerful tips that will ensure you stand out from the crowd.

It’s important that we cultivate a sense of gratitude for everything good that exists in our lives NOW.  Where affirmations speak into the future you plan to create, gratitude is about being thankful for what is currently so.  In her wonderful book, Zero to Zillionaire, Chellie Campbell suggests, “Thank whatever Higher Power you believe in for all that you have.  Gratitude is the only thing that studies have proven increases happiness.”

We get more of what we focus on.  If you start consciously paying attention to your thoughts, it may surprise and frighten you to realize how much time you spend thinking about everything that is wrong in your life and your business, and beating yourself up for everything you should have done differently.  What might happen if you started taking time every day to focus on what is good, what you have done right, what you love about who you are and what you have?  Personal growth expert, Anthony Robbins, suggests starting everyday with a gratitude exercise.  This may not come easily at first.  You can focus the exercise by “working from the inside out”, either speaking out loud or silently to yourself as follows.  First, state all of the things you are grateful for, focusing only on yourself.  “I am thankful for my health.”  “I am grateful for my commitment to regular exercise.”  “I am grateful for my beautiful singing voice.” (Or your ability to paint, or your work ethic, or your intellect – whatever you feel are positive traits you have.)  Really take the time to think of everything you can.  Perhaps you are a brilliant mediator.  Do you consistently strive for and achieve high levels of integrity and honesty.  Are you kind, a loving mother, a good friend?

Now you are going to expand your circle of gratitude.  Move outwards to your family and close friends.  Perhaps you are grateful for all your parents did to raise you, or the health and happiness of your brothers and sisters.  Do you have friends that are always there for you – who love you – and make you laugh?  Continue the exercise, just growing the circle wider and wider to encompass everything for which you give thanks in the sphere of your business, then your community, followed by society and even the world.

The fact is, if you do this exercise genuinely, not making things up, but sincerely looking at all that is good, it is literally impossible to come away without feeling happy, positive and truly energized.  Imagine what would be different if you truly made the commitment to start your day, every day, this way.

We can all find things to be grateful for.  Once you get started, the floodgates will open and you’ll discover that having an “attitude of gratitude” can actually become a natural state.  And from that state – absolutely anything is possible! At http://www.AbundanceBoundSystem.com we’ll help you create the lasting mindset and space of gratitude to support your ongoing growth as an entrepreneur.