A dream will only be a dream unless you are willing to make some forward moving changes in your situation.  In order to have a successful job, or a successful life, or a successful business, you must plan ahead to develop it into reality.

Those of us who believe we can let a dream take shape on its own are still deep in sleep.  Wake up and plan to make your dream become reality.  Do not just wake up one day and say, "it is the only possibility" and do nothing.  If you fail to plan, your plan will fail!

As a business coach, I have witnessed wonderful business ideas, startups and "good intentions" end up in bankruptcy because the person got totally fed up with their job and just quit, and then opened an office, bought some business cards, and asked friends to utilize their services!  Scheesh, how the hell will that work?  It won't.  In all the years I have been in business, I never did business with my friends.  Never sold my friends any product or services.  I started out with a client base and sometimes those clients became friends.  But, never friends becoming clients!

In order for any business to be successful, you must have a product or service that is needed.  You must, must, must do demographic studies on the industry you plan to open a business in!  What is your competition?  How long have they been in business?  Do they specialize in a specific aspect of the business or are they "all around general service/product?" Can you co-op with someone in this business? 

You must secure a base of clients who will utilize your services or purchase your product.  From that root base of clients/customers, you will receive referrals and within the structure of your business plan you will plan to add clients/customers to the root base in a timely manner.   All of this is developed when you decide you are serious about your business and begin with a projected budget for operation, produce a solid business plan, and factor in seasonal flow within your business.  You must be 100% sure of your cash flow, have secure credit and financial stability or your business will die within "the only possibility left, is my dream."

I ask each of you to compare going into business with that of dieting. I have dieted since I was 30 and have lost weight...only to gain it all back again the minute I quit the diet plan.  What needs to occur for me to keep my weight in control is a change in behavior pattern.   Personality of the business owner, as well as the personality of the business helps to create a healthy business.  If as a "person" you are shy or like to be alone, then business is not for you.  A business must have a strong promoter, someone who rolls up their sleeves and gets involved in the business, has a confidence that is strong enough to believe it can work, yet healthy enough not to quit when someone rejects you or your product/services.

The success of being a business owner lies with you, and what you are  willing to do to plan for its success.  Please, please, please start your business on solid ground.  There are many coaches under the Training & Coaches category of the directory who can assist you.  If your personality is one who does not wish to interact with other people in an open and friendly way, then hire someone to do the outside sales or public relations for your company. 

Again, you are what you eat.  Be careful not to put stumbling blocks in the way of your success.

Until next week, pat yourself on the back.  You are searching for information, if you are reading this article.  Let us know if there is anything else you would like us to write about to help you in your business.  Write deb@fodreams.com with your questions or comments on this article.