Entrepreneur... First or Second?

Bill Gates is interviewed in my latest read; The Millionaire Zone: Seven Winning Steps to a Seven-Figure Fortune by Jennifer Openshaw.

When embarking on his career he realized the importance of making the distinction of being a software developer FIRST and an entrepreneur SECOND.

He determined that he would become the best software developer he could possibly be and this had to be his solitary focus.

When I read this, I stopped, thought about it, and reread it several more times. I know exactly what he's talking about! And what an important mental distinction to make.

With so much emphasis in the media -- and all around us -- on entrepreneurship, the benefits being your own boss, the challenges of running your own company, etc. it's easy to focus in on the business part without remembering that first you are in business to shine as the best (insert the name of your driving passion here) you can be... not the best entrepreneur you can be.

Think about it; how do you respond when someone asks what you do for a living? "I'm an entrepreneur, " OR "I teach women how to sky-rocket sales by increasing the effectiveness of their marketing materials."

Entrepreneurship is a very broad description of your business setup. It speaks more to the structure of your endeavor. It doesn't indicate what you do.

If you first think of yourself as an entrepreneur, your attempts at success are broad instead of laser focused.

In contrast, if you first (and always) think of yourself as a marketing wizard (as an example) and aim to be the best marketing genius who ever existed, your daily actions and goals are subtly, but vastly, different.

Being an entrepreneur is not your goal. You're already that. You want to stand out as the very best -- and the only option -- when potentials seek your unique product or service. The more specific you are in your thought process about being the best, the closer to the target you'll be when you actually hit your goals.

Give it some thought. Maybe a minor switch in thinking is all you need to hone in on what you really want to accomplish in business... and that is to be the best darn (insert the name of your driving passion here) you can be!

A Spiritual Perspective On Mindless Talking

One of my favorite books – The Spiritual Basis of Real Prosperity by Roy Eugene Davis – says, “Vital forces are weakened and wasted by superficial, useless talking.”

This statement changed me forever. I read it and reread it. It rocked my world. It touched my core. And heightened my awareness.

Do you ever find yourself, for whatever reason, talking needlessly? Nervously? Why? Have you ever given it thought? Or analyzed it to figure out what’s behind it?

Our outward manifestation always tells the story of what’s going on inside.

Become the observer of yourself. What feelings are buried just beneath the surface masked by incessant talking? What feelings are deeply buried?

This isn't an exercise for the faint-hearted, for surely you will discover underlying pain. After the pain, though, comes realization and a new self-awareness. No longer are you obsessed with the sound of your voice. Your newfound ability to sit in peace and silence sets you on a journey of fresh exploration and discovery. What awaits? You won't know until you begin.

Blessings on the path.

True Prosperity Must Be Based In Spirit

My promise is to give you content inspired by everyday life. This week, while managing the business of my life, I came across a book that has had an enormous impact on me. It is so timely.

I read a great deal about prosperity and this book provides support to a recent thought process. We read and hear so much about prosperity -- mostly financial -- and yet so many sources tell us if we set our intent, the manifesting begins.

True, in part, but setting our intent is just a start.

The book is titled, “The Spiritual Basis of Real Prosperity.” The author is Roy Eugene Davis. From the back cover, “The words prosper and prosperity are derived from Latin prosperus: fortunate. To prosper is to always be in a continuous flow of resources and supportive events and relationships.”

According to the book, what prevents us from experiencing true prosperity is weakened and wasted vital forces brought on by:

• Superficial, useless talking
• Unhealthy dietary habits
• Irregular lifestyle routines
• Addictive behaviors
• Restlessness
• Purposeless actions

That says it all, doesn’t it?

I ponder how my daily choices move me closer or further away from true prosperity. I’d much rather be:

• Energetic, enthusiastic and glad to be alive
• Enjoying life
• Goal-oriented
• Sincerely committed to awakening to my full spiritual potential as quickly as possible
• Abundant in energy
• Using my energy wisely

I love thought-provoking reading material. This book definitely delivers.