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Small Business Articles from Make-it-Fly®
 Avoid
Common Entrepreneurial Pitfalls
Keep in Balance and
Get Where You Want to Go
By Victoria Munro
Printable version
Key to business
and life success is defining where you want to be in
the future, and then keep in balance as you move towards
your target.
It’s a good idea to at least write down what
you want your business (and your life) to look like
three or five years from now. After all, if you’re
uncertain about where you want to take your business
and your life, how will you know if or when you’ve
arrived? Hanging a picture, or collage of pictures,
showing your business in the future makes this even
more powerful.
Keeping your desired destination clearly in view like
this will inspire and motivate you to move forward.
It can keep you going in the tough times too. Plus,
it’s fun to assess your progress along the way.
However, keeping life in balance as you move towards
toward your dream isn’t always easy.
Entrepreneurs may know this, but still struggle to keep
their equilibrium. Below are
some reminders of common pitfalls to avoid as you move
forward:
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Having
documented where you want to go, setting goals to
get there can spur you steadily forward in the right
direction, but keeping those goals in balance can
be a challenge for entrepreneurs who love what they
do. It’s important to have goals, but be
careful not to set yourself up for failure with
unrealistic goals. |
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Allowing
the business to absorb all your time and energy
can result in a loss of motivation and pleasure.
Make sure you re-charge
by taking time out for fun with people and non-work
activities you enjoy. |
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Forgetting
that life happens and things rarely go the way you
hope they will all the time is a common hazard.
Allow some wiggle room—a
little extra time to complete the tasks you’ve
planned to do. |
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Seeing
yourself as super human—working 12 hours a
days, six, even seven days a week, and trying to
sustain a crazy schedule is another trap that’s
easy to fall into. Take care of yourself with regular
exercise, a healthy diet and ample sleep and rest.
Maintaining a healthy balance
is good for you and your business. |
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Keeping
all your thoughts and mental energy focused solely
on the daily needs and challenges of your business
will cloud your vision of the future and drain your
creativity. Plan regular
time to step back and think, reflect on the ‘big
picture,’ plan and make adjustments where
needed. |
Ask a friend to hold you accountable and help you steer
clear of these familiar entrepreneurial mistakes. Stay
in balance and arrive at your desired destination happy,
healthy and having enjoyed the journey!
(461 words)
© 2005-2007 Victoria Munro.
Click here
for printable version.
About the Author: Victoria Munro is
co-founder (along with husband Dave Block) of Make-it-Fly®
LLC, a company dedicated to creating success for
small-business owners through creatively designed programs
and tools. Victoria has started and run nine different
businesses. To receive FREE business success articles
with tips to help you with your business, sign up for
their award-winning ezine, “In-Flight Refueling,”
at: www.Make-it-Fly.com,
and receive a free copy of the eBook, Get
More Done in Less Time: 101 Quick and Easy Time Tactics
& Tips.
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