We have some tough news that you need to hear\u2013 starting a business is not like the movies. There are no bath tubs filled with hundred dollar bills to relax in, and you probably won\u2019t wake up one morning to find that your business has skyrocketed to \u201cviral status\u201d online. Starting a business is hard work, and that\u2019s why most entrepreneurs don\u2019t last longer than a year. That\u2019s where we step in. We\u2019re here to let you in on the little-known survival secrets to help your business last past year 1, and hopefully, years 2+.<\/p>\n
If you can\u2019t articulate your goal, it\u2019s time to stop where you are. And no, \u201cmaking a ton of money\u201d is not a goal. If you don\u2019t have a set business goal that you work towards each day, you\u2019ll give up. Why? Because you won\u2019t know if you\u2019re ever making progress. Set a SMART goal\u2013 one that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely, and let that goal be your mantra each day.<\/p>\n
Have you ever watched \u201cShark Tank\u201d and heard stories of wanna-be entrepreneurs working all night, pitching their ideas door-to-door each day, and following a strict ramen noodle diet in order to afford to launch their business? Outside of their unhealthy habits, these business people have one thing in common\u2013 they have an unshakeable faith that their business is important.<\/p>\n
In this caffeine-fueled, adrenaline pumping stage so lovingly referred to as the \u201cchaos year,\u201d time seems to whir by. You\u2019ve been rescheduling meetings with your business loan lender for two weeks, your printer is jammed and spraying black ink on your new carpet, and you can\u2019t find the login information to your laptop anywhere! It\u2019s time to get organized. It will take some work on the front end, but the relief it\u2019ll bring to your business in the long-run is well worth it.<\/p>\n
Even those sharks we mentioned need to take breaks every now and then. Commit yourself to taking occasional breaks as much as you commit yourself to working hard. Not only will your health improve, but you might find that the \u201cbrain break\u201d you\u2019ve scheduled helps spur on new ideas.<\/p>\n