Is The Company You Keep Hurting Your Business?

When you look at your friends, it's like looking into a mirror. Take the sum of characteristics of the five people you spend most of your time with and you will be the average of that sum.

It is usually quite easy to tell where a person is going by knowing whom she is spending the majority of her time with.

Make a list of the five people you spend most of your time with. Next to each name, identify which category he or she falls into ?

1) small or large business owner
2) investor
3) employee
4) solopreneur
5) retiree
6) unemployed
7) home-based business owner

Regardless of which category your associates fall into, this exercise is not meant to judge or measure worth. We are all equal. This exercise is designed to clarify where you are investing your time and energy and how that impacts your business success.

In order to grow, learn and succeed in your home-based business, you need to spend your time with people who have been where you want to be or who are traveling the same path as you.

In order to be challenged, and educated, and have your mind opened to new possibilities, it is imperative that you surround yourself with friends and acquaintances who will move you towards your goal.

This doesn't mean abandon your loyal, long-term acquaintances because they don't share your interests. They are a very important part of your life.

What is does mean, however, is if you want to succeed in business, it is important that you associate with like-minded individuals.

Expand your circle of influence.

Join a group or association made up of home-based business owners. Join on-line forums where you can share ideas and seek input and guidance. Create a mastermind group made up of peers who are on the same path as you or individuals who have existing businesses and are willing to mentor you and each other.

Associating with like-minded individuals will allow you to develop and maintain a business mindset; will increase your confidence and knowledge, and ultimately your success as a business owner.

Laurie Hayes works with small and home-based business owners who aren't progressing at the rate they would like to be. To receive valuable tips, strategies and techniques designed to grow a successful business without sacrificing quality of life, subscribe to her free bi-weekly newsletter at http://www.wheretheheartis-lifecoaching.com

---

Alcohol & Events

Many people associate alcohol with relaxation and fun, so it... Read More

Networking: What the Heck is a Ryze?

If you're new to the internet marketing club, you may... Read More

Networking and Trade Shows

The most important reasons people exhibit at a trade show?... Read More

Lesson 69 - When Networking Events Fail

The StoryIn a quest to create strategic alliances, coalitions, and... Read More

Keys to Successful Networking While In Transition

Let's be real. With other pressures of life upon us,... Read More

62 Ways to MAXIMIZE Your Approachability

If you walk into your local bookstore and pick up... Read More

Unforgettable First Impressions Part 2: Its All About Them!

Jean de la Bruyere said, "The great gift of conversation... Read More

Networking for Wallflowers: How to Profit from Getting into the Crowd

The two most common complaints about networking are: 1) I... Read More

Is The Company You Keep Hurting Your Business?

When you look at your friends, it's like looking into... Read More

Write It Down!

Why would you want to write information on paper when... Read More

34 Power Affirmations for Networking with the Affluent

Here are 34 affirmations I have created after studying the... Read More

What I Do Is Not Who I Am... The Networking Factor

Ah, the personal touch that continues to make a big... Read More

Are You Building Relationships Online?

How's your relationship?I'm not prying into your personal life, so... Read More

The Quest for Passive Income

Passive Income, residuals, royalties three ways to get paid multiple... Read More

You Can?t Spell Networking Without Serendipity

"Fear not to entertain strangers for by so doing some... Read More

How to Collect Business Cards

Why the business card grab is not why you are... Read More

The 4 Attitudes of Awesome Hospitality

Hospitality relates to the Latin term philoxenia, or "the love... Read More

Networking - How To Do It

Networking is probably the oldest, easiest, most effective and least... Read More

Are You Sitting With The Right Company?

When I walked into Dallas's famous Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse, all... Read More

How to Announce a New Product

How can the introduction of new products affect the way... Read More

Networking to a New Life

Research shows that talking to strangers -- not people in... Read More

It Pays to be Friendly

Most small business people do not take advantage of human... Read More

10 Effective Ways to Remember Names

Sigmund Freud says "a person's name is the single context... Read More

The 7 Habits of Highly Horrible Networkers

Networking is a term that didn't exist (academically) until almost... Read More

How to Avoid Falling Asleep Behind the Conversational Wheel

Think about the last time you feel asleep behind the... Read More

The A-B-Cs of Networking

In the workplace - and when dealing with workplace matters... Read More

The Festive Season: Your Networking Opportunity

The festive season is a great time to sharpen and... Read More

Follow-Up with Your Contacts

What happens when you meet a potential client at an... Read More

The Anatomy of a Brain Cramp; The Retainer and the Lavalava - Communication

In life, you have to successfully work with people to... Read More

Make Money on the Internet - The Lifestyle Advantages of Professional Marketers

Some of the most successful businesses in existence today started... Read More

Franchisees Should Learn From Each Other

If you own a franchise you should be in contact... Read More

Volunteering for a Networking Group

When is it appropriate to volunteer to take a position... Read More

Lesson 15 - Meeting the Prince with More Reputation than Power

The StoryBusiness has a habit of testing us as individuals... Read More