Freedom

Extract from the book "The Entrepreneurial Experience" by Richard Giannamore
Copied with permission.

When you are not stopped or constrained by fears, concerns or circumstances, you have FREEDOM. When you accept everything about you – all of your strengths and foibles – and are not concerned with other people’s assessments, judgments and evaluations, you have FREEDOM. FREEDOM gives you the ability to take action when you are not sure.

Most people are afraid to fail. They will do everything in their power to avoid failing. They are more concerned about how they will look to others if they do not do things right. They do everything they can to think ahead, figure things out and make sure they are not making a mistake before they take action. Sometimes they are so concerned about the "right thing to do" that they don’t ever get into action. They have no FREEDOM.

If you want to be very successful in life, you have to have FREEDOM, and that includes the FREEDOM to fail, to make mistakes, and not be at the effect of what others think of you. If you are protecting your "image" or "reputation" or if you are trying to prove your capabilities, you don’t have the FREEDOM to fail. Without the FREEDOM to fail, you don’t have real FREEDOM. Unless you have the FREEDOM to fail, it is very difficult to take risks. And without RISK, extraordinary results do not get produced. No one wants to fail, but when you are willing to risk failure – practice taking actions that may result in failure – you get access to POWER. "

10.5 Must do things for Business Success!!!

1. Thou shall create a BIG vision
Leaders create big visions. If you are too comfortable, consider that you are playing small and may be afraid of failing. This is not the same as a goal, it is more a direction, a way of being and the difference you intend to make with your business to yourself, your customers, your team and communities.
- Are you focused on surviving day-to-day problems?
- Are you just getting by?
- What are you accomplishing in 10 years?

2. Thou shall set measurable goals in a specific time frame
Business owners who do not set clear and measurable goals for themselves will struggle to grow the business. If you have read "The Entrepreneurial Experience" by Richard Giannamore, this is one of the key things he teaches throughout the book: he calls it "intended outcomes".
- Is your company going to sell $10k or $10 million?
- How many new customers will you get in the next month?
- Are your goals specific? Do you measure them regularly? Do you have clear deadlines? Do you need more than two sentences to express your intended outcome?

3. Thou shall be in action daily
Successful people are in action all the time to achieve the their intended outcomes. If you are not taking action daily, consider that you may be stopped!
- Have you given up?
- Did you stop believing in what turned you on about being in business in the first place?
- Do you put off or avoid the tasks you find unpleasant/uncomfortable, even when those tasks make a difference for your business?

4. Thou shall create a system to keep track of numbers
You cannot manage what you do not measure. Business is about numbers and people.
- Can you easily access your records?
- Are you up to date with your accounting?
- Do you have effective financial and business controls?
- Are you just leaving a mess for your accountant hoping he or she will take care of it for you?
- Do you measure actions that will help you realize your intended outcomes?

5. Thou shall stick to the plan
Changing plans too often is a clear indication that you are not taking actions in alignment with the vision you created. Yes, take advantage of unexpected opportunities, and have room for spontaneity, but most of all, stick with the overall plan.
- Are you reacting to circumstances?
- Are you sticking to your plan?

6. Thou shall engage team

…Or risk burning out fast! You cannot grow your business and continue doing everything.
Business owners usually have a lot of will, are dedicated and work hard. The only way to expand is creating a team... What if working harder is not the answer?
- How many people are engaged in some and supporting the intended outcomes you set for your business?
- What are these people getting out of working with you (other than a salary!)?
People care for people who care!

7. Thou shall not procrastinate doing what needs to be done
Which includes talking to people that may “appear” to be a pain in the neck, or having tough conversations that need to be had to forward the business. Leaders are not out to win popularity contests. Procrastination is a source of customer, employee and partners dissatisfaction... If you procrastinate, face it and change how you operate.
- Have you given up on asking people what you need?
- Do you believe people would do what is needed if you asked?
- Do you ask for the money you deserve?
- What are you accomplishing today, tomorrow?
- Are you having the conversations that will make a difference for your team and your business (even if they are not nice conversations at first?)

8. Thou shall have some fun
Worrying too much will wear you down, and it does not do the business any good. Cut it out.
- Are you worrying too much? Are you sleeping well at night?
- Are you enjoying life?
- Are you generous with yourself and others?

9. Thou shall be have great attitude
Be great with your customers, your team, and yourself. Stop your negative conversations. No one wants to do business with Mr. or Ms. Doom & Gloom. Don’t listen to the negative conversations in your head, from your family, within your industry. They don’t do you any good.
When you are in touch with your vision (your reason to be in business, the value that you will create for yourself and others), you automatically act as what "The Entrepreneurial Experience" calls a 10... In business, you need TO BE A TEN all the time.
- Are you complaining about the economy, the business and the employees?
- What can you do that will make a difference?

10. Thou shall kick thou self in the rear end often
Do what you say you will do. Be tough on yourself. When you don’t do what you say, it costs you. People cannot trust you; people cannot trust your business.
- Are you fulfilling on your promises to your customers?
- Are you honoring your commitments to suppliers?
- Are you honoring your commitments to yourself?
And by the way, if the answer to these questions is YES, tap yourself in the back and acknowledge yourself and others on your team... this is fuel on your tank... keep going!

10.5. Thou shall have Faith and Trust...
Trust yourself, trust others, have faith in the future. As "The Entrepreneurial Experience" says, you need to have the freedom to dream and the freedom to fail and if you have freedom, you will take the risks you need to realize your vision. And if you keep doing what you said you would, you start to have the power to create and bring your vision to fruition. With Faith in the future, you will get there and as a result, the world will be a better place. Thank you for being an ENTREPRENEUR.