Five Top Ways To Get A Mental Edge In Business
Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009
Elsewhere on this site, you can read the "Five Most Important Characteristics of an Entrepreneur." Those characteristics are listed as: vision, self-awareness, intelligence, extroversion and ambition. Take a look at those again. They are all psychological characteristics. As Yogi Berra said about baseball, "ninety percent of baseball is half mental." There are many parallels between business and sports.
“Belief in yourself is as powerful as currency to help fuel a business along.”
So how can you maximize your mental edge with employees and competitors? The worst thing for an affiliate business owner, whether just starting out or well established, is self-doubt. It's important to realize that some amount of failure is going to occur.
Let's look at the baseball analogy again. A hitter in baseball is successful if he gets a hit only 30 percent of the time. That means he's not getting a hit 70 percent of the time.
As an "affiliate entrepreneur", you want to reach better odds than that, but the same idea applies. If you are prepared for some hardship, it will be much easier to take when things do not go your way. Here are the top five ways to give yourself a mental edge in business:
No. 1 -- Set Realistic Goals for a Mental Edge in Business
If you set the bar too high, you are setting yourself up for failure. You need to set realistic long and short term goals. However, what if you set reasonable goals and are still not meeting your projections?
No. 2 -- Get a Mental Edge in Business and Don't Panic
Remember that most businesses have lean years. It is nearly a given that a small business does not bring in a large profit the first year or two. In essence, you must demonstrate perseverance. Stand strong even when things aren't going your way.
No. 3 -- Believe in Yourself for a Mental Edge in Business
Know that you have a lot to learn, as everybody does. However, remember that you also have a lot to give. Belief in yourself is as powerful as currency to help fuel a business along. This kind of confidence is contagious and people will respond positively.
No. 4 -- Be Aggressive and Get a Mental Edge in Business
This isn't to suggest that you be intimidating or overbearing. Being aggressive in business is taking opportunities that come your way.
No. 5 -- Get a Mental Edge in Business and Know Your Audience
In business meetings, some respond better to aggressiveness and bravado, while others respond better to a laid-back approach. If you first know yourself and everything you have to offer, you'll be able to better gauge your audience and then adapt accordingly.
However, this does not mean you should be a chameleon, as people respond well to a strong sense of self. Still, understanding the wants and needs of those in the room can go a long way in helping you state your case as an advocate for your business.
