Been There, Done That

One of the most useful talents you can nurture is the ability to connect with like-minded others and to make use of what you learn from them. Author and business guru Brian Tracy shares the fact that when he was just starting as a salesperson, he struggled to make sales. One day he came to the simple realization that by trying to learn more about how the best salespeople conducted business, his own track record was certain to improve. He was correct. His single decision to learn from experience became a stepping stone that delivered him from the sales floor to become an extremely successful author and entrepreneur’s guide.

While there are a lot of people willing to give you advice, listen most closely to those who have done what you intend to do or the closest thing that you can find. Someone out there has said that if you want to be happy, surround yourself with happy people. If you want to be successful, make connections with people that might be able to help you with some of the tougher questions that arise. Lots of veteran bootstrappers are generous with their time…..they may be more than happy to give you some guidance for the price of a cup of coffee or lunch.

In my own experience of this, I have received business guidance from some very qualified pros, yet some of the best advice I have received has been from other small entrepreneurs. Unless you are a potential competitor, there are bootstrap heroes out there who have walked in your shoes, and who would be happy to save you some time and money by offering a nugget of experience.

JB