We all hear it. We all say it. Everyone wants to be rich, but short of picking the lucky numbers or winning the Editor’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, most people don’t know how to accumulate the wealth they dream of.
These are the main tactics of successful entrepreneurs:
1. “Dig the well before you are thirsty” – Confucius
We talked about this last week. Marketing, whether it’s your business or yourself, is the one thing wise people do every day – YES… DAILY. You need to do at least one thing each day to keep your marketing funnel full.
2. “The moment you start thinking that time is precious and that it has a price, you will become richer.” -Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing
Do you use your time wisely or do you waste it spending hours in front of the television? Successful entrepreneurs understand that how they spend their time determines their future. It’s critical to do the things that will move you or your business forward each day.
3. Have a wealth mindset
Successful entrepreneurs focus first and foremost on being safe. Then on being comfortable and finally on being rich. It is this focus on security that forces them to build systems and look at the big picture rather than just doing the best in the short term.
Successful entrepreneurs also understand that they need to invest in themselves and their business to achieve their long-term goals. Doing things “quick and dirty” or for quick money won’t create the lasting success you’re looking for.
4. Have a sense of urgency
Successful entrepreneurs are not procrastinators – they get things done and get them done today! His sense of urgency stems not only from his appreciation for the value of time, but also as a way to ensure that his customers are always satisfied. Why keep them waiting? Satisfied customers buy from you and do so repeatedly.
5. “Don’t be overwhelmed…just do one thing at a time.” — Rose Lindsey’s character in the movie “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead”
The above quote may sound familiar and is a trademark of all successful entrepreneurs. Do you have 100 things to do? Don’t know where to start?
Just pick one and go for it. It doesn’t matter which one, just do something. Sitting and looking at the stack or worrying about how much you have to do will get you nowhere. But doing one thing, and then another, and then another will.
6. Be “optimistic about the big picture and pessimistic about the details.”
Direct marketing guru Dan Kennedy tells the story of how he travels a lot and never worries about the plane going to the wrong city or blowing up in mid-air or experiencing some other problem that prevents him from getting to his destination (optimistic scenario). At the same time, he plans for the plane to leave late and arrive late, for his luggage to get lost, and for the food (when he gets it) to be inedible (pessimistic detail).
Using this approach to project (and trip) planning ensures that you have anticipated the potential problems that Murphy’s Law often raises and that you already have the solutions in hand. The worst that can happen is that you never need your “Plan B”.
7. You can’t (and shouldn’t) do everything
Successful entrepreneurs know Y understand that trying to do everything on their own is a recipe for overwhelm and burnout.
The truly successful build teams and delegate effectively. Have one (or several) good virtual assistants, a bookkeeper, a prepaid legal plan, etc. it takes away the day-to-day minutiae so you can focus on the big picture.
No matter where you are today, I encourage you to do one thing today that will move you forward in your goals. Remember Confucius (he knew a lot, didn’t he?): “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” He takes that step today and feels the momentum that carries you forward.
