Tips to help small business owners
stay motivated by Michelle Mone, OBE
I know first-hand how tough it can be
to run your own business. I left school at the age of 15 without any
qualifications and worked my way up the career ladder until I decided to become
my own boss and founded Ultimo Bras at the age of 24. Ultimo is now a globally
recognised lingerie brand.
Based on my experience I do not
believe qualifications are the secret to business success. Instead it is all
about your mind-set. Often the toughest part is keeping a business running and
continuing to grow and innovate, after you have launched.
So here are my top tips for staying
focused and motivated…
1. Self-motivation is key
To get anywhere in the world of work, you've got to
rely on yourself to drive you forward. We all need someone around who motivates
us, but if you don't motivate yourself then you're never going to get there. Nothing
is ever going to be easy - or everyone would be doing it. But you've got to
have that passion and determination to start with.
2. Keep focus
So how do you maintain that motivation? Write down
what you want to achieve in your life and in your career. Write down your goals
and write down a plan of how you're going to get there. Look at those notes
every day. Remind yourself where you were when you wrote them down and take a
picture in your mind.
3. The eternal optimist
We're all going to face rejection at some point,
especially in today's economy. The key thing to remember is that when you fall
down, you need to pick yourself back up quickly and have a smile on your face.
There is always something better around the corner if you are prepared to work
for it.
4. Dreams can come true
The best thing to do is to dream. Go where really
motivates you and dream. It's amazing what you can do once you get in the zone
and get your mind sorted, it’s incredible what you can achieve.
5. What makes you tick?
Confidence arises from different things in
different people, but one thing we all tend to agree with is that it comes from
within. For me, it is important that I look good as well as feel good for
important business occasions. However, not everyone wants to wear high heels, a
tight dress and a blow-dry. It's whatever suits you. You've got to work
out what makes you perform and do more of it. Confidence helps the business
grow. So think about what makes you feel your best, and remember to bring that
to work every day.
6. Doubt the doubters
When you put yourself out there, there's always the
risk that doubters and those who are hyper-critical may become obstacles in
your path. But at times like those, you've got to muster up all the confidence
you've got and remember to turn the negatives into positives. Grow a thick skin
as quickly as you can so that you are able to take criticism in your stride
rather than allowing it to derail you. As long as you're a good person and you
do good things, then you shouldn't care about everyone else's opinion of you.
7. It’s not about gender
I think the recent cabinet reshuffle is fantastic as
I am sure the new female members will do an amazing job. However it is vital
that women succeed in business based on our own merits and that we are not
helped or hindered by our gender. If women are right for the job, then it
doesn't matter about gender. It doesn't matter if they are wearing a bra or not
wearing a bra. They should get the job on their skills and that should be the
way to think about it.
8. Be an inspiration
My
biggest business inspiration is Sir Richard Branson, whose progress I followed
as a young girl growing up. I hope I am a role model, not just for women but
for men as well. Hopefully I show people that one day, if that's what you want,
you could get an OBE from the Queen.
9. Work hard and open doors
I left
school at fifteen with no qualifications – not that education doesn't matter,
of course it matters – but I've worked my way up from nothing to where I am
today. Everyone is special whether you've come from money and opportunity or
not. You can create your own; you don't have to be born with a silver spoon in
your mouth to succeed in business.
10. Take advice and always seek new opportunities
For more information, and to enter visit https://awards.kalixa.com.
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