Ever since the dawn of the industrial revolution, many businesses have started up, and some businesses have succeeded. Far more businesses have failed than have succeeded, of course, although now it’s really no mystery why.
 
Here’s the deal: Businesses that succeed (at least in industrialized nations such as ours) leveraged the three elements listed below; businesses that fail usually have not had these elements in place. If you’re interested in being a part of that select group of businesses that thrive, consider consciously choosing success by putting these three core elements in place:
 
"A dream becomes a goal the moment you write it down. A goal becomes a plan the moment you break it down into doable steps. A plan becomes reality only when you take action." ~Marshall Sylver
 
1. Plan: Did you know that a written plan that outlines your goals, timelines and activities is the number one factor in determining success in achieving any major goal? That’s right. Not luck, not a great idea, not even the greatest web site in the world will have the effect on your success that a written plan will have. The good news is that your plan doesn’t have to be fancy (actually, it helps if it’s not!). All it really needs to include is what you’re trying to achieve in measurable terms (that’s your goal or goals), plus your plan for achieving that goal (a strategy or three), and a list of actions with a schedule or timeline that you plan to do them (that’s your tactical calendar). Sound hard? It’s not, but creating it is faster and easier when you have help. My recommendation: My Ultimate Marketing Blueprint Workshop starts in October including both teleconference and on-site classes; see www.SoHoMastermind.com for details.
 
"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." ~Henry Ford
 
2. Association: We are all influenced by the people, ideas, and information around us. If we're not careful, we may find ourselves surrounded by whiners, nay-sayers, and party poopers who hold us back. To be successful, we must surround ourselves with people, ideas and information that contribute to our success rather than those that create tension around our goals, methods, or priorities. Having a group of like-minded small business owners who are familiar with and supportive of your goals, and who offer regular support, ideas, and feedback helps keep your energy and momentum up, as well as provides you with the strength you might need when the going gets tough. My recommendation: Join a mastermind group.
 
"Our chief want in our life is having someone who will make us do what we can."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
 
3. Accountability:  The final key to getting what you want or where you want to be is accountability--someone who asks you how things are going, and can be relied on to be there for you, reminding you of why you're expending all this time and energy on your business, even when you get tired or overwhelmed or discouraged, and asking you what it will take to move you forward. My recommendation: Get a coach.
 
"A coach is someone who tells you what you don't want to hear, who has you see what you don't want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be." ~Tom Landry
 
So there you have it, all wrapped up in a nice little package: Everything you need to know to choose success.

Wondering where to start? You will find all the elements listed above in my SoHo Mastermind. The Mastermind is a community of amazing folks like you who are working together to make their contributions to world through their businesses, and the program provides the tools for all three success strategies by phone, through our membersite, and in our weekly on-site meetings.

If you are deeply committed to making your business profitable, I encourage you to check it out at www.SoHoMastermind.com.