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Entrepreneur Opportunities are all over the place these days. Online, in seminars, in books, and in magazines, you can find hundreds of business ideas, more suggestions, and some growing trends to follow. Search Google for entrepreneur opportunities, and you’ll recognize this is just the tip of an enormous iceberg. With today’s economic woes all around us, and slim prospects for significant improvement soon, more people than ever before are intrigued with the possibility of being their own boss. See Entrepreneur Magazine for a comprehensive picture of their opportunities.
Hey, wait a minute! I’m already an entrepreneur. The “back end” of my business is helping people recognize opportunities, articulate choices, and make decisions. It’s often said that our small businesses are the heart of our nation’s economy. We solve problems and make things happen. A lot more than we see our career politicians doing every day in the soap opera of our lives.
I love my career! Our conversations are so different from those political debates we hear about so often. Our discussions and planning sessions are almost always friendly, cooperative, and productive. I don’t plan to change my job (except for the usual minor, every-day tweaks to keep up with progress), so why am I thinking about entrepreneur opportunities? Simple: My friend Ann Evanston, who is very smart about these things, recently recommended reading “The No BS guide to Wealth Attraction”, by Dan Kennedy.
Well, I’ve been Kennedy’s fan for over a dozen years, and I’ll second the motion. He’s a widely respected business consultant, very successful at what he does, and he has a lot of valuable advice for an entrepreneur. I’ve attended a few of his presentations, read a few of his books, and believe his advice makes great sense. Everyone trying to run a business always needs good advice, and Kennedy is glad to share his.
In summary, his no-nonsense advice is this: If you’re interested in being a successful entrepreneur, get straight on what you believe about taking care of business, because that will determine what you perceive and how you behave. You want specific recommendations? Read one of his books and get an eye-opener.
So, after all this, is leading a jazz band in your future? Welcome aboard. In my opinion, there’s always room for one more, but to make it, you better get your priorities clear.
Well, it’s another interesting Sunday morning over here, and several random thoughts rattle through my brain. Once again, it’s time for what I call the “Sunday Morning Follies”. I really enjoy this. Every Sunday morning I take a few hours to think about where I am, where we all are, and what’s to come. Me personally, my family, my business, my community, my nation. Covers a lot of territory, obviously, and I enjoy stepping back to look it over.
Also nearly every Sunday I read through the New York Times. Always find at least a dozen fascinating stories and opinion articles. One of my favorites this week is titled “Allaying Grief Through Books”, about a woman who vowed to read a book a day for a year. What discipline! While she focuses on coping with a personal loss, her example provides an inspiration for everyone intent on reaching any ambition.
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Bottom line: Want to be an entrepreneur? To succeed at ANYTHING, know yourself, know what you’re doing, and perform with discipline. What’s YOUR goal, and how are YOU doing?
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Meanwhile, the Magnolia Jazz Band entertains at weddings and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are ever nearby, you’ll love catching us in action, seeing and hearing us create a great mood.
How can I help you? Call 408-245-9120 or use Robbie@MagnoliaJazz.com. Planning a celebration? Ask about our availability.
Robbie
You are absolutely right, it seems when you google “Entreprenuer” or pick up a magazine there are dozens of “opportunities”, “the next big thing” or ideas on how to be a good Entreprenuer. Sometimes the information can be overwhelming, I religiously ready my monthly issue of Inc. Magazine, and normally by the end it is full of bent pages and references of things to check out. However throughout it all, knowing who I am and what type of business person I’d like to be has really allowed me to read and learn with a more narrow focus and skip those that while may sound good, don’t fit the mold. I’m interested to check out Dan Kennedy’s books, which ones are your favorite?
Well, you certainly cover alot of ground in this post! I also enjoy reading books by entrepreneurs – there are so many out there and the funny this is, most of them are saying the same thing, just in a different way. The bottom line is to find something you love and do it! When you think about it, that is really easy to do. Trying to be someone you are not and making a business of it will fail, in my opinion. My goal is to relaunch my accounting program this Saturday and continue my coaching role w/SNCC. Also, school begins and my local tutoring business will be busy again – always something to do, but I love all of it and really don’t view any of it as “work”.
I enjoy your blog every time I read it. You are very thoughtful and reflective. I could use some of that in my life. I love how on Sundays you have your “Sunday Morning Follies” to take stock in your life. What a great technique to stay focused on your business and personal goals. I appreciate the book recommendation. I always like to “Sharpen the Saw”. I’m currently reading the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Really interesting stuff.
“Get straight on what they believe about taking care of business, because
that will determine what you perceive and how you behave.” Too bad Politicians don’t do this… From where I sit, I’m envious of your job. If I felt talented enough to make music AND make a living at it, I’d be a happy girl. My creative impulses are satisfied elsewhere in my chosen entrepreneurial adventure.
I always so enjoy your videos, Robbie! And I agree with your reflections about the political talk shows and debates…which is why I have reached the point where I try to avoid them! But I also am so grateful that we live in a country where we have the option of becoming entrepreneurs and the possibilities are endless; it is so wonderful to see people who figure out what they want to do, and as you say, have the discipline to achieve it. Being your own boss, owning your own business, can be very challenging and hard, but after experiencing that, I could never go back to the corporate world or working for someone else! The book you mentioned reading sounds interesting; I think I will get a copy and share it with my husband! You are obviously doing exactly what you are meant to do and it is a beautiful thing to be able to have a job where you can bring so much joy and satisfaction to so many people! I can see the contentment in your face in the video and the sparkle in your eyes!
I see we share some practices, Robbie. I love to do a week’s review–what you call your Sunday Morning Follies–where I look back and look ahead. I find it very calming, a return to balance and a chance to recalibrate as needed. Also love the Sunday New York Times, although we gave up our subscription because we felt so overwhelmed trying to get through it each week! It’s really a week’s worth of reading. The book by Kennedy sounds interesting, so I’ll follow up on that recommendation. Thanks for the tip! I love how your writing gives such a three-dimensional perspective on your life–a real view into one jazz musician’s life beyond his performances.
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/
Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing
hahaha! That Ann she can just throw the thoughts at you huh? Actually I have thought about becoming an entrepreneur, but to your point, the business isn’t in order.
Hi Earl,
Thanks! It’s the game we play: A good throw deserves a good catch. And isn’t Wine4Lovers your entrepreneur venture?
hahaha- let’s hope so- “coach” is going to teach me some affiliate marketing this weekend!
I need to work on my business discipline. I’ve always been bad at discipline. I need to change my thinking in that regard. Some soul searching is needed here. Along with the questions you put forward. Thanks, Robbie.
Julieanne CaseAlways from the heart! Blog: http://www.julieannecasefromtheheart.comReconnecting you to your essence, joy, vitality, youth.| Healing you from the Inside Out |Reconnective Healing | AgeLoc Skin Care | Pharmanex Supplementswww.thereconnectivehighway.com
Well I learn most of my business discipline from Ann – her advise has never failed me. My goal is to grow my SNCC business and become wildly successful, even coaching new coaches. I love what I’m doing and it fits me to a tee!
Louise Edington
Breaking Through Online Frontiers
http://louiseedington.com
Great post Robbie! Yes, I am an entrepreneur, and loving life! You have to be disciplined and as you said know yourself and what your doing. When I made the move to working from home it wasn’t easy….there are distractions everywhere! Staying focused and on track are imperative to being successful. And I am always reading new books, especially now that I have my kindle…lol! I’ve had a few great suggestions from Ann, she never points you in the wrong direction! I will have to check out Dan’s book. I was really touched by the Allaying Grief post you linked too…makes you think! Thanks for sharing some great info with us:)
Rita Brennan Freay
ritabrennanfreay.com
I’ve always had difficulty considering myself as an entrepreneur and still do. My work has always felt like a calling to me and when I’ve tried to apply mainstream principles, it just goes nowhere–in fact, doesn’t even make sense. Social media is the first thing I’ve done in the way of being an entrepreneur that has been applicable and successful. Still, I don’t relate to the title and probably never will. But that’s okay with me.
Robbie nice to hear your voice. I agree with you, as hard as it is, being an entrepreneur is a never ending learning and discovery process. There are probably as many books as there are entrepreneurs. LOL. Definitely knowing your strengths and finding a way to cover your weaknesses is a great start. I love having social media open closed doors, and offer up so many delicious tit-bits about life design and business all in one place.
Jennifer Duchene
The Home Makeover Mixtress blending lifestyle, laughter and Chic Cocoons™
http://LYShome.com
I love being an entrepreneur! It forces me to think outside the box, drives me to be creative and makes me such a great problem solver. I think one main difference between an entrepreneur and just another person running or starting a business is that entrepreneurs don’t treat their businesses like a hobby. There is a real driving force and passion behind it! And I see it in how you talk about your business and Jazz Band. I’m working on being more disciplined and one of my goals is to have my own natural health center. Every day – I am working towards that goal!
I’ve been an entrepreneur for almost 16 years now and I often tell people that I’m unemployable. Now I am taking a break from the pursuit of money to focus my efforts on building quality of life for me and my family. My only entrepreneurial goal at the moment is to raise awareness for eating well and improving the quality of the food in the US. Lofty, sure. I’m thrilled to be able to focus my efforts on something I am passionate about.
Darcie
Devoted to finding all things delicious.
http://discoveringdelicious.com
Great point about entrepreneurs having happier conversations. Great case for the whole nation going in that direction. We’re headed that way anyway. May as well hurry up!
Great post, Robbie! I do consider myself an entrepreneur. More of a mompreneur, because I can make choices that allow me to be a mom first!
Hey Robbie nice post. I have been an entrepreneur all my adult life. Started my own Electrical contracting business in 92 and never stopped. What I will say though is I have never really been organized to the point of growing something into a large Cash Cow. LOL. Now that I have plugged into the SNCC way with the fun loving Tribe I am beginning to feel organized and empowered through the structure of the system. It sure is a lot of work getting it up and then the commitment to the strategy but its like anything else if your being called from within to do it, it doesnt seem like work.