In order to have a successful business, one must conquer fear. There is fear of failure and sadly, fear of success. Study any successful person and you will find a long list of failures before being successful. Successful people know that failures provide lessons and move us closer to our achievements. Those who are not successful consider failure as being defeated so they give up. Consider Thomas Edison who failed thousands of times before his triumphant invention.

The fear of failure can sometimes be the hardest thing to overcome and for some, the biggest enemy to conquer. In order to overcome our fear of failure we must first recognize that fear is holding us back. Here are a few symptoms:
When we fear failure, we lack confidence in ourselves and in our product, we are always worried about what friends and family will think and we think we don’t really deserve success.

When we fear success, we procrastinate, we talk ideas to death rather than take action, we resist change, and we do not complete important tasks.So how do we overcome our fears and become the successful business person we want to be. The great Jim Rohn says “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.” and “If you change, then things around you will change.” In other words, we have to conquer ourselves. We need to know that fear is a natural part of growth and how we respond to our fears reveals whether we are moving forward or standing still.

Here are ways to overcome our fears:

1. Take action. Be willing to take a leap everyday and do something that takes you out of your comfort zone. Be bold and think of this, “Ready, Fire, Aim.”
2. Be persistent. Learn to be relentless never giving up on your goals and dreams no matter how long it takes. Remember you will never fail unless you quit.
3. Learn to embrace change. Accepting change means we are moving beyond our fears and that we are open to new ways of doing things. Remember, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
4. Serve others. Not only do others benefit from our efforts, but service to others takes the spotlight and focus from our own fears and directs that energy to others. When we see others’ joy and help others solve problems that is our greatest reward.
5. Recognize and reward your accomplishments. Celebrate your achievements, your goals reached, your good deeds. Be happy in your accomplishments no matter how small for these are indications that you are moving forward.

By recognizing and confronting our fears we will overcome and achieve our toughest task…conquering self.

Many people looking to start home-based businesses look to Multi Level Marketing (MLM) or top-tier internet marketing, yet are uninformed about either industry. Either option can be lucrative, however in today’s market there are many reasons to avoid MLM. The following article will discuss the differences between each industry, and why top-tier marketing is currently the place to be.

To begin, for anyone who’s unaware of what I mean by a “top-tier” internet marketing company, I am referring to a marketing company that generally attracts a high calibre customer… that is to say, a customer who is genuinely serious about starting their own home-based business. Top-tier internet marketing companies market products which generally pay $1000+ commissions up-front (meaning you receive your commission immediately). Conversely, MLM companies generally market lower-end products which generate smaller incomes, and which you will have to distribute more of to generate the same income. Typical MLM products are health juices, vitamins, beauty products, diet products, and so on.

Compensation

In MLM you are compensated not only by how many people are in your downline (people who you have personally recruited into the company), but also how successful your downline is. This can be problematic, as the attrition rate in MLM is currently 90% within the first 90 days… that is to say that 90% of MLM newcomers quit within their first 90 days in the business. Moreover, it would take literally thousands of people in your downline to be generate a $10 000 a month income. Building a downline of thousands is not easy when 90% of people you recruit leave you within 90 days.

With a top-tier internet marketing company, you can generate a monthly income of $10 000 with 10 customers or LESS a month. This income is not dependent on your downline… you receive this income the moment your new customer decides to join you (whether they decide to quit down the road is irrelevant).

Marketing

MLM companies generally do not provide their distributors with the best marketing training. The fact is that many of the best marketing techniques are simply not lucrative for MLM’ers because the cost of recruiting a new customer is greater than the income generated by that new recruit. As such, most MLM distributors are reliant on friends and family to join them in order to make a success of their new business. Unless you’re a fan of pitching your new business opportunity to friends and family and trying to convince them to join you, MLM is likely not for you.

In a top-tier company you will be marketing your opportunity the millions online searching daily for home-based business opportunities (not your friends or family). Moreover, the top-tier company you’ve joined will train you to market your opportunity with the best free and paid strategies. With such large commissions, many simple paid marketing strategies which are not lucrative in MLM can produce a great Return on Investment with a top-tier opportunity.

Cost

Some MLM’ers may like to argue that top-tier opportunities are more expensive, which generally is simply not true. Is a top-tier opportunity more expensive up front? Yes, but this is a one-time fee… one time, and that’s it. Furthermore, you will regain your initial investment much quicker as you will be receiving large commissions as you gain customers… you will not have to wait for your new customer to generate income for you. In MLM your start-up cost might be lower, but you’re going to be charged a monthly fee to buy and ship your product. If you’re in MLM for the long-haul, these fees will exceed the one-time fee you would have paid for your top-tier opportunity.

As a final note, if you decide to join an internet marketing company, beware who you join… not all internet marketing companies are top-tier, and a lot of them are flat out scams. Do your research and join a reputable company.

Yes, I know that starting a business can be considered risky and I also know that sitting back and doing nothing can be even more risky.

If you follow these secrets for a successful business, you will minimize your risks and develop the traits of a successful business owner.

First of all, you need confidence in yourself and in your product.  That is the only way to develop loyalty and a willingness to buy from your customers. If you already possess confidence that’s great.  If you are lacking, don’t worry.  You can develop and enhance your confidence level using daily affirmations and focus.

Success Secret One:  Make Your Passion A Business!

Ask any successful person and they will tell you to find your passion and then make that your business.  Harvey McKey says, “If your business is your passion, you will never have to work another day in your life.”

Perhaps you want to start an online business, a home based business or a more traditional service based business .  Just remember , it takes a great deal of time and effort and you must be completely passionate about your business and have a sincere desire to succeed.   Remember, success is not going to happen overnight so you must be totally committed.

Success Secret Two:  Eliminate Excuses!

To quote Dr. Wayne Dyer, “Excuses Be Gone.”  This may take a while for you to digest but it is a powerful concept.  Learn to take responsibility for your actions and your business and let go of the excuses.  In other words, remind yourself, “The buck stops here.”

Be aware in your own life of some of these excuses that Dr. Dyer lists in his book:  “I don’t know if I can do it.”  ”What will my friends and family say.”  ”I am afraid to try.”  Of these and other excuses, the largest obstacle to overcome is Fear.  Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of change and even fear of success.  Fear can be the root failure and prevent you from living your dream and finding your passion.

By being aware of when you make excuses and by working to eliminate excuses from your life, you will be propelled to unprecedented heights and achievement.

Other traits of a successful business owner are:

1. FOCUS.  Follow One Course Until Successful.
2. Think.  Strategic planning and creative thinking for problem solving.
3. Never Forget Your Why.  Keep your dreams and your goals in sight.

Currently, millions of people are putting their strengths to work and finding huge rewards both financial and in other areas.  So, think about something that you love doing and then find a way to get involved.  Even if it is just part time in the beginning, why put it off any longer.

Regardless of your age, if you begin today who knows what you might accomplish in three years.  If you don’t begin today, do you really want to be doing the same thing three years from now?

Entrepreneurs are people of action and know how to find solutions to problems.

Entrepreneurs are innovative and know how to overcome obstacles.

Entrepreneurs are independent and work even when no one is watching.

Entrepreneurs see opportunities that others miss.

As entrepreneurs, we separate ourselves from others because we take the initiative and have the capacity and the drive for independent action, we know how to work when no one is watching and we see opportunities that no one else sees. In today’s uncertain economy entrepreneurs are needed more than ever because we are the ones who are willing to do the tasks and follow through despite obstacles.

In 1899, Elbert Hubbard wrote a small but powerful booklet called A Message To Garcia. Although it was written so long ago, it still provides a very timely lesson specifically, it is not always the best people but the proactive people who succeed.

The book is a perfect description of an entrepreneur. The story goes that when the war between Spain and the US began, President McKinley urgently needed to get a message to the leader of insurgents who were fighting in Cuba. Garcia was somewhere in the mountains but his exact position was not known. Upon a recommendation, President McKinley called for a man named Rowan. “Rowan”, he said, “It is urgent that you deliver this letter to Garcia”. Without question, hesitation or whining, Rowan put the letter in his pouch, strapped over his shoulder and was off. After three weeks of traversing a hostile country, he appeared on the other side of the country having delivered his letter.

Bottom line is that he took the initiative, made no excuses, and worked faithfully even when no one was watching over him and accomplished the task. All actions of entrepreneurs!

In today’s uncertain economy it is up to us as entrepreneurs to take the initiative and action necessary to revive our economy. “Are you an entrepreneur who takes action?”