[Advice Thread] Have you got what it takes to succeed in business?

Have you got what it takes to succeed in business?

Have you got fire in your belly?

Do you feel a burning desire to make your life better for yourself or your family?

You know, if you truly want to succeed in business you need to develop the right kind of mindset and positive mental attitude.

Being in business for yourself is not at all like enjoying the luxury of having a job working for somebody else. When something goes wrong with your own business, it's up to you and you alone to make sure you make the situation right. The onus is on you to make your business work.

You will need to lead from the front by example. This is the mark of an entrepreneur. Taking control. Being at the helm directing the action. Being prepared to pay the price in advance and if necessary burning your bridges behind you.

Being in business is all about providing solutions for other people. It's about helping other people improve their own lives in some way. Ask yourself, do you seriously believe you're up to the task of being in business for yourself?

You see, it's not about playing around at the edges. Sitting on the fence. Being lukewarm. It's not about hopping around from one foot to another between each new shiny object which comes along. Being in business is all about maintaining a laser like focus. Focusing on what needs to be done in the here and now to make your business work, to make it happen no matter what.

Your business, any business in fact thrives when it's making a profit. A profit is made when people exchange their money, their cash for the services, goods, or products which you bring to the table to help other people. If you're not helping other people and only helping yourself, undoubtedly your net return won't be profit but a loss. And when you make a loss you're at greater risk of losing your business altogether.

To stay in profit, to consistently make profit - you must have goals. A clear objective. A road map to guide you in the direction of making a profit. Remember, without profit - you have no business. Question is then...

What are you going to do to constantly bring profit into your business?

How can you help others better?

How can you go one better over and above your direct competition?

What are they not doing which you could be doing?

Can you provide a service, goods or products faster, cheaper or of better quality?

It all comes back to your mindset. Your attitude. What you personally bring to the table. If you've truly got fire in your belly and the drive and motivation to succeed in business you'll happily pull out all the stops to make it happen. No matter what is thrown at you. No matter what the obstacles are... you will overcome them and do what it takes to drive your business forwards.

This change in your thinking and behavior model can only come from within. It's you alone who needs to recognize and acknowledge your own shortcomings. It's not anyone else' fault you're where you are right now. Sure, circumstances have influenced your head space and your environment has caused you to perhaps think in a certain manner but at the end of the day... it's only you who is in charge of your own mind.

Do you own your own mind?
Or do you allow others to do your thinking for you?

Are you prepared to take full responsibility for your actions in business?

Are you prepared to pay the price in advance?

Are you ready to call the shots, not just some of the shots but all of the shots?

Have you honestly, really got what it takes to be in business for yourself?

Have you honestly, really got what it takes to succeed in business?

Or are you a follower rather than a leader?

There's no shame in admitting you're the former, a follower rather than a leader. It takes ruthless self analysis to really call yourself an entrepreneur. A word which is bandied around far too loosely these days.

If you haven't got what it takes to succeed in business, to be perfectly honest with you, you're better off getting off the train altogether. Rethink who you are. What you are. And where you want to be. Before you come back to the table with your offering.

If you play at business in a halfhearted fashion, without real commitment or drive is it any wonder you're not getting the results you want? You say you want it but...

How badly do you want it?

How badly is your fire burning in your belly with desire to move you from where you are now towards your ideal financial destination?

Financial independence? You want it?

If so, you must give your business the full attention it deserves.

You must be prepared to throw everything you've got at your business. Every last drop ounce of energy always looking for ways to improve, ways to move your business forwards.

Ways to help other people more effectively.

Ways to innovate. Come up with new ideas and make the change happen.

Warmest regards,


Mark Andrews