Nothing Takes The Place Of Hard Work! Just Ask Any Successful Business Owner!

If you own your own business, I know you're no stranger to hard work! You'd probably say you're intimately familiar with it. To make another assumption, I bet you'd also say that you like it that way. After all, you didn't decide to go into business for yourself because you fantasized about short work days and long weekends. Once in a while, those are good things, necessary even. But that's hardly what motivates someone to strike out on their own. I don't think any successful entrepreneur has ever said, "I'm just too lazy for a regular job. I think I'll start my own business so I can take it easy for a while." Unsuccessful ones, maybe, but not those who've made it. You need a strong work ethic in order to get a business up and running... and keep it running.

I come from a long line of hard workers, and I'm doing my darndest to live up to my family history! I started early with various neighborhood business ventures that only a kid could get away with: a lemonade stand (adults doing that look kinda weird), selling fruit from my tree, selling fruit from my neighbor's tree (to my neighbor), wrapping presents that my customers probably had to re-wrap, then writing a book about said gift wrapping. And let's not forget selling Shrinky Dinks door to door. Pretty sure I was an innovator with those babies. It was a while before the idea of quality control really took hold. In the beginning, it was mostly about having a project and making some money of my own. I was definitely industrious. After college, I jumped headfirst into the world of business ownership and I've been here ever since. No regrets!

Workstrong! A Strong Work Ethic Is a Small Business Must-Have!

The trait that has helped me along the way — what actually got me started in the first place — is a strong work ethic. I never shied away from something because it looked hard or would take a lot of effort. Things worth having or worth achieving usually do take effort. Luckily, I consider the effort, the process and the challenge to be all part of the fun. There's a great quote I've shared this week from Stephen Hogan: "You can't have a million dollar dream with a minimum wage worth ethic." I love that! So true! I mean, you could have a big dream, but obviously you're never going to get anywhere with it if you're not prepared to work hard. You also have to treat people well, because... well... simply put, no one likes a jerk. Entrepreneur.com has a great list (I'm a big fan of lists!) called 7 Elements of a Strong Work Ethic that lay out the key components of a strong work ethic. It includes, of all things, respectfulness. If you don't treat your customers, clients, colleagues and staff with respect, people will eventually look elsewhere for the services you provide.

Be Oh So Quotable This Week!

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!

Oh by the way, are you searching for easy steps to charge more without losing clients? Learn where you're leaving money on the table and discover simple costs to cut PLUS get productivity tips! And the best part is it's all FREE!

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.

Strong Work Ethic – Tip #1:

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"There are no traffic jams along the extra mile." – Roger Staubach

Strong Work Ethic – Tip #2:

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"When you do more than you're paid for, eventually you'll be paid for more than you do." – Zig Ziglar

Strong Work Ethic – Tip #3:

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"Work like there is someone working twenty-four hours a day to take it all away from you." – Mark Cuban

Strong Work Ethic – Tip #4:

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"You can't have a million dollar dream with a minimum wage work ethic." – Stephen Hogan

Strong Work Ethic – Tip #5:

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"There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there." – Indira Gandhi

Let's talk! I'd love to hear what you think makes a strong work ethic!

Do you have a strong work ethic? Does it come naturally or did you have to "train" yourself? 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 pricing, keep more money in your pocket AND take your business to the next level, we've got it right here!

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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