There are so many answers to the question, "What does it take to succeed at owning your own business?". As you might suspect, you are about to hear yet another perspective on that subject. What you will hopefully find different and more valuable about this insight is that it can be applied to business as well as succeeding and growing through life in general.
This is not a long list of things to do specifically, but instead there is one simple approach to help guide you through a variety of times each day where you have to make a decision. Do what you don't want to do.
It's human nature to follow the path of least resistance. There are choices that come along all the time, and most people will most of the time choose the way that is, for lack of a better word,...easier. However it is the path of most resistance that changes things. Though some people get lucky, most who become truly successful at anything do so by being willing to do things or do them in a way that no one else will. We are talking business here, but apply that to being in good physical shape, having a great marriage, or even managing your personal finances. In many jobs it's easy to play a role, go along, and to simply get by. Those with that mentality will never be good business owners because they will never be willing to simply do more when everyone else is doing less. It's hard to get up early, hard to make that sales call, hard to be told no, hard to hire good people, and hard to be continuously trying to make yourself better.
It's a simple concept, but it is a very powerful one if you can truly learn to act when your inclination is to not. The next time you have the chance to make a choice, ask yourself what you do not want to do. Then do it anyway.
