With over 70% of people who responded to a recent survey revealing that they were thinking about starting a business of some sort, working from home is becoming more the norm than ever before.
The problem for many people is that they don't really know where to start and how to turn their dream into something tangible.
3 critical things you'll need in order to turn your hobby into a profitable business are -
#1 – A Positive Attitude
By far your biggest asset in turning your favorite hobby into a thriving business is a positive attitude. I think it was Harry F. Banks who said, "Attitude determines your altitude".
If you are going to pursue your dream and make it a reality, you must have a positive attitude and the willingness to commit to what it takes to make it happen.
So many people start out on the road to turning their hobby into a business, and then at the first sign of an obstacle, they give up, often just before they start to see results.
A positive attitude will help you to break through the barriers and temporary setbacks and reach your desired goal.
#2 – The Determination To Succeed
Many people who fall in love with the idea of turning their hobby into a business are looking for an easy way out and at the first problem, they give up and let circumstances crush their dreams.
By developing a fierce determination to succeed, your chances of creating a profitable business are infinitely higher and you are virtually setting yourself up for success.<
While there are not guarantees that you will eventually make it, having the determination to push on regardless of minor problems and find solutions is the mark of a true winner.
Determination and a positive attitude can work together to help a dedicated person succeed where others have failed
#3 – A Proven System
The final and some would say most important thing you'll need is a proven system for marketing your products and/or services.
You need a step by step process that you can follow to ensure your success; something that other's have used successfully to achieve the same goal you have.
It's no use having an incredibly positive attitude and loads of determination if you choose a system that's flawed and never had a chance of working in the first place.
Look for proof that other people have followed any system you are considering and become successful.
Unfortunately, many people waste money, and more importantly, valuable time, chasing the latest fad or scheme offered by unscrupulous promoters. Most of these schemes haven't agot hope of succeeding, but people fall for them every day.
Don't ever take the promoter's word that it will work for you…demand unquestionable PROOF that many people, from all walks of life, have been able to use what he or she is offering to turn their hobby or passion into a profitable business.
When it comes to the system, results are the only thing that matters…
GOOD LUCK!
Anti-Aging Rule: Choose Your Friends Carefully
My mother always reminded her kids that people judge you by the company you keep. The admonition was meant primarily for my brother who tended to prefer the company of neighborhood rowdies – the kids who ran around with their shirttail hanging out, their knickers not pulled up, their hair uncombed, and used inappropriate language like "gosh" and "gee whiz." (Yes, yes, I know. But that was back in the Dark Ages.)
She was right – people do judge you by people with whom you associate. But in our contemporary culture, few people are concerned about the judgment of others. However, if you are at midlife, and you want to retain youthful characteristics and vibrant good health, the company you keep is very important for a reason rarely discussed.
And that reason is this: We develop "old" thinking and behaviors from observation and emulation of "old" or "older" people we associate with most frequently. They could be family members, close friends, neighbors, or co-workers. And let's not forget the influence of archaic conventional wisdom and consensus thinking. "Oldness" is insidious and viral. You really have to watch what you allow into your head and adopt as your own.
Does someone in your family insist on being catered to not because of an infirmity but because "I've done for others all of my life, and now it's time for others to do for me"? Grandma did it, so you do it, too. We should do for our elders, but not when elders are perfectly capable of caring for themselves. It's unkind and unwise to encourage dependence. If entitlement or other "old age" behavior causes unhappiness in your family, it can stop with you.
Aside from family life, one of the best places to catch the oldness virus is in retirement communities or any living situation where you are in contact primarily with people your own age.
Retirement communities, for the most part, are beautiful. They are quiet, well maintained and many offer amenities that can keep you going nonstop: Trips, classes, social and sports events, state of the art exercise equipment, music, arts, crafts, tennis, swimming, theater -- you name it. What more could you want if you are over 50?
What you should want, and must want, if you are determined to Put Old on Hold is regular association with people of ALL ages and circumstances. If you are at midlife (50-55), healthy, and choose to buy into a retirement community, think about the environment you will be in for a very long time.
In a new community that stresses active lifestyles, there will probably be many residents about your age. But what happens as time goes on? Assuming the community remains stable, there probably won't be too many younger people moving in over the years. You may consider that a bonus, but remember this: Over time, your closest friends and acquaintances will likely be those within the community, especially if your lifestyle becomes more settled. This is something to consider ahead of time.
The life span has increased by 27 years in the past century. Those bonus years represent a long time to live in a situation where predominant topics of conversation, eventually, will be about aches, pains, which neighbor is in the hospital or who died last week, and which widower is up for grabs, and what his favorite casserole is. The reality is this: If you are at midlife and you choose to segregate yourself in a seniors-only environment, the "oldness" virus will get you sooner than later.
Young people, as irritating as they often can be, can also be open, patient, kind, understanding and tolerant. For me, one of the joys of working is the opportunity to interact with young people. On more than one occasion, their presence has helped me lighten up on impatience and crankiness. You cannot pay for that kind of therapy!
Exposure to young people is essential if you want to broaden your worldview and stay current with what is happening beyond your world and circle of friends. You may not approve of what you see and hear but it does help you cope with reality – something that older people often have a hard time dealing with.
Deliberately put yourself where younger people are. Take or teach classes at the local community college. Join organizations that do not segregate by age, i.e. seniors-only or boomers-only groups. Volunteer to mentor teens who could benefit from your wisdom and experience.
Indeed, if you have a choice, choose your friends, associates and living environment carefully as you age. They can and do affect how well you age and the quality of your life.
She was right – people do judge you by people with whom you associate. But in our contemporary culture, few people are concerned about the judgment of others. However, if you are at midlife, and you want to retain youthful characteristics and vibrant good health, the company you keep is very important for a reason rarely discussed.
And that reason is this: We develop "old" thinking and behaviors from observation and emulation of "old" or "older" people we associate with most frequently. They could be family members, close friends, neighbors, or co-workers. And let's not forget the influence of archaic conventional wisdom and consensus thinking. "Oldness" is insidious and viral. You really have to watch what you allow into your head and adopt as your own.
Does someone in your family insist on being catered to not because of an infirmity but because "I've done for others all of my life, and now it's time for others to do for me"? Grandma did it, so you do it, too. We should do for our elders, but not when elders are perfectly capable of caring for themselves. It's unkind and unwise to encourage dependence. If entitlement or other "old age" behavior causes unhappiness in your family, it can stop with you.
Aside from family life, one of the best places to catch the oldness virus is in retirement communities or any living situation where you are in contact primarily with people your own age.
Retirement communities, for the most part, are beautiful. They are quiet, well maintained and many offer amenities that can keep you going nonstop: Trips, classes, social and sports events, state of the art exercise equipment, music, arts, crafts, tennis, swimming, theater -- you name it. What more could you want if you are over 50?
What you should want, and must want, if you are determined to Put Old on Hold is regular association with people of ALL ages and circumstances. If you are at midlife (50-55), healthy, and choose to buy into a retirement community, think about the environment you will be in for a very long time.
In a new community that stresses active lifestyles, there will probably be many residents about your age. But what happens as time goes on? Assuming the community remains stable, there probably won't be too many younger people moving in over the years. You may consider that a bonus, but remember this: Over time, your closest friends and acquaintances will likely be those within the community, especially if your lifestyle becomes more settled. This is something to consider ahead of time.
The life span has increased by 27 years in the past century. Those bonus years represent a long time to live in a situation where predominant topics of conversation, eventually, will be about aches, pains, which neighbor is in the hospital or who died last week, and which widower is up for grabs, and what his favorite casserole is. The reality is this: If you are at midlife and you choose to segregate yourself in a seniors-only environment, the "oldness" virus will get you sooner than later.
Young people, as irritating as they often can be, can also be open, patient, kind, understanding and tolerant. For me, one of the joys of working is the opportunity to interact with young people. On more than one occasion, their presence has helped me lighten up on impatience and crankiness. You cannot pay for that kind of therapy!
Exposure to young people is essential if you want to broaden your worldview and stay current with what is happening beyond your world and circle of friends. You may not approve of what you see and hear but it does help you cope with reality – something that older people often have a hard time dealing with.
Deliberately put yourself where younger people are. Take or teach classes at the local community college. Join organizations that do not segregate by age, i.e. seniors-only or boomers-only groups. Volunteer to mentor teens who could benefit from your wisdom and experience.
Indeed, if you have a choice, choose your friends, associates and living environment carefully as you age. They can and do affect how well you age and the quality of your life.
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