Taking Charge and Getting Results: The Choice is Yours

As one of the most successful direct sales entrepreneurs in the industry, I have found there are two kinds of people in the world, those who would like success and those who are serious about success. There really is no in between. Think about it. Everyone wants success in their life; they want to make more money, have more time, have less stress and really make their mark in the world. The people who actually do it are the people who will not accept any alternatives.

For most people, it is easier to blame circumstance, adversity, their childhood, lack of status, job, boss, family, spouse, etc. etc. for their results. For some, the source of blame is luck. "If only I were luckier", they cry again and again, always playing victim to some unseen force. Those who have massive success, however, have decided to take full control over their lives and to be personally responsible for their results. Yes, I said, personally responsible - for the good and the bad. They recognize their errors and mistakes and revel in the glory of their wins and accomplishments.

You see, it can not be one or the other. The key to taking control of your destiny and your results is to become a person of responsibility. Meaning, you recognize in your life that you are responsible, and have always been responsible, for the outcome. In doing so, there is a tremendous amount of freedom and peace. Not only do you realize that in being responsible are you in control, but you are no longer victim to circumstance, other people or chance. You have the opportunity to create your results. Win or lose, it is completely up to you.

Napolean Hill, author of Thank and Grow Rich, ingeniously stated, "Every adversity, every failure and every headache carries with it the Seed of an equivalent or a greater Benefit." Accepting full responsibility for our results allows us to become creative, dynamic and focused on exactly what we want, not what we don't want. We recognize success in our failures, learn from our mistakes and move proactively on. The person who is personally responsible is solution-focused and empowered.

Consider this example. Two people both start restaurants in the same town (Owner A & Owner B). They specialize in the same type of cuisine, have equally beneficial locations and the same amount of business/restaurant experience.

After 6 months of business, Owner A & Owner B both find themselves at a crossroads. Business has not been as successful as they had hoped and both are facing dire financial situations. As a professional business consultant to meet with both owners and you have the following experience:

Owner A spends most of the meeting complaining about the stingy customers, the lack of traffic, the vendors he uses, the quality of his staff. You here is openly criticize one of his waitstaff. You can feel the stress in the air and the staff seem frustrated and nervous. Owner A goes on and on about the tradegy of his business and tells you he plans to file for bankrupcy in two months if you don't help him. You ask Owner A for his proposed solution and he puts it on you, asking if you can save his business.

Owner B spends most of his time praising his staff and customers. The waitstaff is friendly and smiling and everyone is eager to be at the establishment. The owner tells you he recognized that, while he has a great establishment, he will require improvement to grow. He tells you he should have hired a marketing consultant in the beginning but thought he could do it on his own. He recognizes that to grow his business, he will have to bring more customers into the door and have their experience be so great they will want to come back as repeat customers. He shares his ideas with you and asks for your input, letting you know that he is committed to creating a great dining experience and a flourishing business.

After 12 months, who do you believe would still be in business and who would you be eager to assist? Obviously Owner B. Owner B realizes he has made some mistakes and he has taken full responsibility for them. By doing so, he has recognized where he can improve and has asked for your assistance for guidance and direction, rather than seeing you as the lifesaver that will keep him from drowning.

Taking control of our results is a direct result of accepting responsibility. There is power in knowing what we achieve, or don't achieve, is a direct result of the actions we take. In this is there is freedom and the reality that we can truly achieve whatever it is we focus on. As Napolean Hill said in Think and Grow Rich, "Anything the mind of a man can conceive and believe, he can achieve." The choice is yours.

To your success!

Shannon Lavenia

Shannon Lavenia rose from being a high school Biology teacher to being a million dollar earner in the diret sales industry in less than 2 years. She now teaches people how to be successful in home-based direct sales by following the simple system she teaches. For more information, e-mail her at unlimitedfreedom@earthlink.net or vist her site at http://www.trueprosperitynow.com

---

Top 10 Business Plan Myths of Solo Entrepreneurs

Don't let these stop you from having a business plan... Read More

Meet Success: Business Profile of Sylvia Acevedo, Communicard Owner

Sylvia Acevedo needed a break from her technology job so... Read More

5 Habits Of Successful Entrepreneurs

Habits get a bum rap. When you think about your... Read More

Entrepreneurs Just Get Better With Age

Q: I'm thinking about starting a business after I retire... Read More

Getting Rich Isnt a Bad Idea

You've seen plenty of articles claiming to offer you the... Read More

Oil Change Guys History; Part IV

One trait of franchisors and something you will find in... Read More

Youth Entrepreneurship, A Disappointing Truth

The psychology of entrepreneurship can be very rewarding to one... Read More

Reducing the Stress of Being an Entrepreneur

Starting and running your own business can be exciting and... Read More

The New Paradigm for Entrepreneurial Success

Entrepreneurship is a great magnet to deliver new ideas, unique... Read More

Drive Website Traffic Unconventionally, Force Your Children To Do It

If you believe that every little bit helps then keep... Read More

Why Every Student Should Start a Business

With the economic downturn, students in all the major business... Read More

Confidence = Preparation + Courage

It always amazes me when I see someone on television... Read More

An Entrepreneur Is

An entrepreneur is an innovator. She sees a need in... Read More

Everything You Wanted to Know About Public Domain Info, but Were Too Afraid to Ask!

What to Look Out For:Copyright - you absolutely must check... Read More

The Business and Life You Want to Build

In the early days of my first consulting business, I... Read More

The Risks of Entrepreneurship

The "spark" for many entrepreneurs is seeing an opportunity that... Read More

3 Essential Elements of Operating a Successful Business

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to... Read More

Can a Microbusiness Help You Enjoy a Better Retirement?

Not having enough money for a comfortable retirement tops the... Read More

Franchise Business and Franchise Businesses

Franchise business is being part of a successfully proven business... Read More

Oil Change Guys History; Part III

Studying the history of franchise companies is interesting is watching... Read More

Entrepreneurial Ongoing Education Advice

I would like to give some advice to all the... Read More

Judging Entrepreneurial Ideas

Most entrepreneurs constantly come up with new ideas. Whether they... Read More

PTO; Justification of the Means and the Ends

Some would say about certain issues that the means do... Read More

The Perfect Little Coffee Shop: Are You Afraid of Failure? Are You Letting that Failure Cripple You

Ah, coffee, the drink of choice when I want to... Read More

Franchises-Exit Strategy

At an International Franchising Symposium in London, Peter Holt made... Read More

Double Your Income Automatically

It is a common known fact that it is far... Read More

Applying The Daffodil Theory into Business Practice

At times all of us need a bit of inspiration... Read More

Your Company Needs A Mission Statement; Make It Count

Does anyone remember that book "Built to Last" done y... Read More

How Good Is Your Big Idea

Q: I want to start my own business. I have... Read More

How To Get More Clients and Customers; Dont Sell Be of Service

Whether you are just starting your business or focusing on... Read More

Time Management Tips for Solo Entrepreneurs

Does it seem like everyone and everything is vying for... Read More

For Business SUCCESS... Listen To The Voices of Experience

Discover the pitfalls of owning your own business BEFORE... [you... Read More

Are You An Entrepreneur?

With all the buzz about everybody being an entrepreneur these... Read More