The Importance of Being Determined!

What in the world is happening in the middle of my summer?!! Apparently my kids are expected to go back to school now. I dropped them off the other day and they didn't come home till much later, so I assume that school happened. But I'm in denial. I like to pretend we still live in the world of summer lasting from June till AFTER Labor Day. That kids spend their days roaming the streets on bikes, watching VHS tapes in treehouses (yeah, doesn't make sense, but go with it), and doing whatever they want, as long they're home by dinner. But we're not living in a 1980s movie, so clearly those days are over. And so is summer. It's officially back to school people! Getting with program — especially if you're reluctant to kiss summer goodbye — takes serious determination. But you're strong, you got this!

The upside for lots of small business owners is that back-to-school time means a jump in sales as parents stock up on supplies, buy new clothes, take their kids for haircuts, eat out, resume home projects that they'd ignored all summer, and generally get back to life that runs on a routine. If you have a business that benefits from that, you've probably been waiting for summer to end all damn summer! You're that person dancing behind the shopping cart singing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" as you toss in random supplies. 12-pack of scotch tape? Sure. Four staplers... why not? No. 2 pencils... oh yeah! Scantron city, here we come!

Up Your Determination Game!

Wherever you are on the spectrum of embracing this time of year, it has arrived, so let's get on with it. Since you know where I stand, you'll excuse me if I ease back slowly. I mentioned determination already, which got me thinking about how we all need an extra dose of that when we're feeling unmotivated, uninterested or worse — such as when we encounter a true challenge, setback or failure.

I took a look back at some of my past blogs and lo and behold, there's an entire entry dedicated to determination and how we can train ourselves to have more of it. So I'm borrowing from there. It's not plagiarism, because I wrote it and there's no professor here saying I can't reuse the same info. Maybe I'm being a little lazy (summer and all), but I kinda liked what I said. Plus, it had a school-themed approach that seemed fitting for this far-too-early-to-be-back-at-school-but-we-are-anyway time of year, complete with an outline and maybe even a pop quiz.

We all have the ability to re-train our brain to do things that we're not naturally inclined to do. Think exercise, getting up early, eating healthy, being organized, arriving on time... all those good habits that people may not have been born with, but that lead to greater success when practiced diligently. Let's talk about how we can have more of those habits, and increase our ability to just keep going when things are tough.

Every Small Business Runs On Determination!

For faster reading before Friday's quiz, here's an old school outline (just like we did in school, only legible) on how you can develop determination and use it to help you achieve your goals. Don't blame me if you have school dreams this week where you forget to go to class or do any reading all semester and the final is tomorrow.

Set Goals
• Put goals in writing
• Goals should be challenging, yet realistic; specific, not vague
• Develop a plan & list steps for achieving each goal

Set Deadlines
• Prioritize goals
• Hold yourself accountable for deadlines

Review goals & deadlines regularly
• Check in with yourself often! Make sure you stay on track with goals!
• Revise as needed if conditions or priorities change
• Add new goals as new old ones are completed or as new opportunities arise
• Your mantra: Don't Give Up!

Identify obstacles; learn from mistakes; try again!
• Figure out what's preventing you from achieving what you want
• Identify your strengths & weaknesses; how can you compensate for what you don't do well and take full advantage of your strengths?
• Learn from your mistakes; look to past mistakes & success before moving forward
• Don't get sidetracked!
• Try, try, repeat!

And there you have it, the quickie outline to increasing determination. Set goals and make a specific plan for achieving them. Review your progress regularly. Hold yourself accountable. If you have a setback or failure, try again. Think of determination as a habit or skill that you can develop.

Be Oh So Quotable This Week!

Are there other skills you'd like to improve to make your business better? Are you in desperate need of simple and easy steps to attract clients you love, create a pricing strategy and ditch the door knockers? Then you've come to the right place! Get it here for FREE!

I always say running a business means the work never ends! Ain't that the truth? I bet your to-do list is a mile long! Make sure that the items at the top of your list are the things that relate to being more profitable. Everyone is so proud of being so "busy"...But Are You Making Any Money? Don't be too busy to focus!

Check out the summary of last week's business tips and motivational quotes from my Instagram page which you hopefully got to see in real time! If not, let's make sure we're following each other on Instagram!! So...here is this week's roundup of Instagram images of My Top Business Tips and Motivational Quotes.

Determination – Tip #1:

Love this? Pin it to your Pinterest Motivation Board.

"Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough." – Og Mandino

Determination – Tip #2:

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"It is the size of one's will which determines success." – Unknown

Determination – Tip #3:

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"Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to." – Henry van Dyke

Determination – Tip #4:

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"It takes determination to see a dream come to pass. The question is not will you start, but will you finish." – Joel Osteen

Determination – Tip #5:

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"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction." – George Lorimer

Let's talk! I'd love to hear how determination has helped you succeed!

How's your determination game? I would LOVE to hear from you! Anyhoo...I publish these business tips and motivational quotes to get you fired up for your work week!

Oh by the way, in case you're looking for something to help with time management, we've got this fun little quiz to test your productivity. Are you a Vodka & Red Bull? A Dirty Dirty? Or a plucky Blue Sapphire? Find out which cocktail you are by taking our quiz right now!

And, if you want more business tips, get my book, But Are You Making Any Money? or contact me to really take your business to the next level!

xoxo M

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