Entrepreneurial Emotions or It Seemed Like a Great Idea at the Time

It's your first business or the next Great Idea in your ongoing business, online or offline, it doesn't matter. The roller coaster ride is a theme and variations on the same experiences. First the exhilaration -- THIS idea, or THIS business is THE one. It'll put you on the map with lots of money in your bank account. It can't fail. It's just too good. Have you said this? More than once? I have, and several times during my life, with numerous businesses and varying levels of success.

Then comes implementing the idea. The rubber meets the road. One great entrepreneurial joy is having a terrific idea in the shower, and implementing it by noon. The pieces of The Great Idea flow over you like warm water in the shower, feeling just as wonderful, inviting you to stay in that delicious place forever.

WHAT'S NEXT

This is the first place that makes or breaks you -- moving forward from idea to implementation, identifying elements necessary from start to finish. Nothing stops you, until you start thinking about what is involved. Or you stay in process, and never reach the goal. You might enjoy process more than results, or be fearful about reaching results you envision. What stops you and what moves you forward? Depending on self-confidence, the support you have, the homework you do, those steps are easy, or not. Notice no mention of resources. Many great ideas develop on sheer grit and determination, with little else going for the person. It's more than positive outlook, too. It's how you view yourself, how clearly you picture the end result, who you include in your process, and overall attitude about getting from Point A to Point Z.

Once you've identified the details, look at each task honestly. Ask yourself:

? Which tasks do I love?

? What do I know nothing about and am willing to learn?

? Which things make me want to run away faster than I thought possible?

? Who can do what I don't want to do or feel incapable of doing?

? When can I offload tasks to someone better suited to do them?

Considering these questions increases your success and enjoyment of the process, taking you to happier emotions. You spread happiness to others by giving them tasks they do well, including them in your process, and leaving you happier because of this. There are always challenges. At least you tipped the scales in your favor. Re-evaluate task assignments throughout your journey since things are forever changing.

During my dozen years in the tips booklets business, thousands of author clients worldwide have written tips booklets on some topic that interests them. Their booklet is based on expertise, experiences, or passion they want to share. Some have a wealth of information, confidence, ability, resources, and encouragement. Others are missing some or all of those characteristics, yet find the idea appealing. Some love writing and others detest it. Each has a Great Idea to get out into the world. Booklets are done in days or weeks, or stretched over months and years. Emotions play a part in the process, outcome, and overall results.

My booklet journey started with eight years' of experiences in one business, and a checkbook slim on financial resources. In the early 1990's, few were online, fax machines were more common than computers, and hard drives were not in every computer sold. Dream-killers surrounded me, doing whatever possible, both subtly and blatantly, to belittle creating a booklet as a new income source and a way to market my business. Necessity motivated me, forcing me beyond deficits of knowledge and money, and certainly beyond other people's opinions.

THE GLOW IN REAL TIME

Selling almost a million copies of that booklet without spending a penny on advertising gave me real-life business tools and first-hand understanding to assist others in their business development. The exhilaration I felt the day that first box of booklets arrived -- I, too, had arrived, along with that box of booklets. Seeing my name on the cover made it seem like I was A Somebody at a challenging time in my business. It was an oasis coming out of the desert. The next step was to convert that feeling and those booklets into cash. Ego wouldn't pay the bills. Then came validation accompanying the first check. I hear this repeatedly from my booklet author clients. That blends into the Bigger Picture ? of making more sales, creating new products, developing more markets and opportunities, being sure this first experience wasn't a fluke or a flash in the pan, that there was staying power.

You may be like authors and business owners I know. You may minimize your expertise, product, or service. Many examples support forging ahead and writing your booklet or developing your product or promoting your services anyway. The hoola hoop, Pet Rock, Rubik's' Cube, and Chia Pet each show how these product inventors probably had the last laugh, all the way to the bank, in spite of dream-killers in their lives. You may have no encouragement from family and friends. Ignore those voices. Follow your heart, like those product inventors did. Your Great Idea is yours. Do with it as you choose. Your writing, marketing, product development, or other business skills may be lacking. Find ways to take one step at a time, experience one success at a time, do things you don't know and want to learn. Resources range from volunteer mentors to high priced consultants, to courses, books, CD's, tapes, and publications like this one you are reading.

WHO OWNS THE POWER

It is and always will be up to you to decide how much power to give your emotions. Your vulnerability, strength, and clarity change, rendering you more in charge in one moment, and more overwhelmed in another. The ups and downs are there and always will be. It is part of being an entrepreneur, part of being alive. Whether you are a new or veteran business owner, emotions present themselves throughout your journey.

When emotions take over and stifle or cripple forward motion, take a step back, assess things, make decisions for yourself based on what is best for you, and then do it. That sounds simple, doesn't it? As simple as that is, it is not always easy. Notice your feelings. Pull them apart to look at from different angles. Leave time and space whenever possible to allow intensity to diffuse, to analyze the situation and consider realistic solutions. Chat with trusted colleagues or family members who are helpful sounding boards. Is an error in manufacturing or publication something crucial to your product's effectiveness, or is it so minor no one will notice besides you? Does it warrant being enraged, or is it a disappointment easily corrected in the next production run? Pick your battles. Pick the emotional outlay accompanying them.

Sometimes an ideal solution is a minor modification rather than total abandonment. A small tweak often makes a huge difference. Other situations require changing course completely. Emotional choices without pragmatic and practical foundations can be costly in time, money, and emotions. Do as much homework up front and along the way, so changes are small course corrections instead of jumping overboard from a sinking ship.

THE ILLUSIVE BALANCE

As silence and sound are each vital in creating the beauty of music, emotional highs and lows as an entrepreneur are necessary in providing the rich, rewarding fabric of life. The range of emotions keeps you fresh, alive, interested, and interesting. Emotions are always there. Your choice will be what to do with them and your ideas. Remember how you felt ? it was a Great Idea, and still can be.

Paulette Ensign (c) 2004
Paulette Ensign has personally sold over a million copies in four languages of a tips booklet called "110 Ideas for Organizing Your Business Life," without spending a penny on advertising. Her clients have matched and surpassed her results, worldwide. Paulette learned her business by doing it. She received entrepreneurial genes from her grandfathers and has never taken a formal business course in her life. Her San Diego, California-based company, Tips Products International, offers a range of products and services to support your success regardless of your budget of time or money. Phone 858-481-0890 or visit http://www.tipsbooklets.com

---

5 Tips to Step Boldly into the World & Set Yourself Apart from Others

"Real champions believe in themselves even when no one else... Read More

Judging Entrepreneurial Ideas

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

Confidence = Preparation + Courage

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

Competing With The Big Dogs

You run a small consultancy. You're well qualified, experienced and... Read More

Rx for Falling Corporate Profits

Once again the squeeze is on as renewed inflation worries... Read More

The Cockroach Test

Let me ask you a question? Imagine I would offer... Read More

Interview with Best-selling Entrepreneurial Authors Barbara Winters and Nick Williams

Ray Bradbury's quote, "You've got to jump off cliffs all... Read More

Salon Marketing Using Wireless Broadband Internet Access

Our client in Chicago did, located right outside downtown too...a... Read More

Business Planning for College Students and First-Time Entrepreneurs

More and more students, both in undergraduate and graduate institutions,... Read More

Opportunity Does Not Knock

Q: I'm graduating this year with a degree in business... Read More

What Part of Handwriting on the Wall Dont You Understand - They Dont Hire People Over 50

In a recent talk to the Detroit Economic Club, President... Read More

Could a Book About Your Company be Worth $1.7 Billion? Building Value Through Publishing

"Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) to purchase Clayton Homes for $12.50... Read More

When Your Business Feels Like an Arranged Marriage

Q. I was laid off six months ago. Jobs in... Read More

What It Takes To be An Entrepreneur Series: Action

Many people have the professed desire to be their own... Read More

Build Your Own Board Of Experts

The most successful entrepreneurs rely on their advisory boards to... Read More

The Danger Of Hate

As you have shown an interest in starting a business... Read More

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Isn't enthusiasm a good thing? Aren't we urged to be... Read More

Strategies for Overcoming Obstacles to Discovering Your Gifts

What are the unique gifts that differentiate you from other... Read More

Used-Book Case Study

Dwight Payne and Gary Heap reside in Santa Barbara, CA,... Read More

The Term Sheet?s Role in Raising Venture Capital

Entrepreneurs and companies who are seeking venture capital often negotiate... Read More

Book Yourself Solid: The Simple Selling Process

As a service provider you may not want to think... Read More

Near-death Experience is the Mother of Invention for Two Dallas Electricians

To morning commuters, the hulking truck encircled with barricades and... Read More

Differentiation ? Smart Marketing Strategies for the Solo Entrepreneur

Are you ever frustrated or hesitant when you talk to... Read More

How to Start a Franchise

Franchising InformationFranchise oppotunities are all around us today. You may... Read More

The Use of Common Stock in Venture Capital Transactions

When raising capital for a business venture, a company can... Read More

Corporate Espionage in Franchising

Franchising Trade Journals do not do well, because today with... Read More

Innovation incubator: Build it and keep it running

If your company is like the one I work for,... Read More

Territory Limitations Policies for Franchised Companies

All franchised companies must have Territory Limitations to maintain the... Read More

From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money Selling Info Products

The term "Infopreneur" is a relatively new industry buzz word... Read More

The 7 Major Reasons Businesses Fail and How to Overcome Them

This year, over 800,000 of the approximately 2,000,000 start up... Read More

PTO; Justification of the Means and the Ends

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

Starting Your Business: 3 Tips for Bootstrapping Your Way to the Top

Bootstrapping a business startup does not necessarily mean that you... Read More

Six Steps to Guarantee Your Business Success

Many of us slave away for years for one uninspiring... Read More