Business opportunity? Overcome Your Fear With an Informed Decision

[TamiWWL]

I've had a number of emails this past week in response to one of our blog posts ("BUSINESS: ASK NOT WHAT IT CAN DO FOR YOU….BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH IT!")*and wanted to take the time to address the question that I actually, also get from many prospects contacting us in response to our opportunity. The question, really, can be asked in many ways, but it always translates into the same basic inquiry. "How do I know if it's a good opportunity for me?"*

Not every opportunity is right for everyone. And *only you can decide if it is something you can believe in and stick with and do what it takes to make a go of it. Because regardless of what opportunity someone decides to go with, it ultimately is up to them to make it successful. Are some opportunities "set up for success" more than others? Probably. Based on the product or service, some opportunities, in some ways really, will sell themselves. If people are looking for what you are offering, then they will come to you if you market successfully. If, however, the product or service you are offering is not so mainstream in it's value, it will be a little more difficult to reach your prospective customers.

When looking for the suitable opportunity for you, there are a number of key questions to ask yourself: Do YOU believe it's a quality product or service that you would find of value? Can you see yourself representing that product or service with enthusiasm—day in and day out? Will you really be offering others a good opportunity when you, in turn, are prospecting? Because if any of those are answered with a "no"—or even a "maybe"—you need to wonder what others will see in what you have to offer.*

If however, the product or service does hold value and does fill a need for the general population (and you yourself can see the benefit it holds), then more than likely you will find success. In our business, it happens to be a product that offers a return on investment to people. By utilizing the program, they can more than pay for their investment. Additionally, with their purchase, they obtain the business opportunity, so for us it was like getting the opportunity for free. No brainer. But do remember, we spent many years checking into various businesses out there and actually wrote a checklist that allowed us to gauge the "value" in each opportunity we were considering. We spent time "investigating" so-to-speak through a variety of methods:
- The main corporate website
- Google/internet
- Other people's websites who were already marketing the business
- Forums
- Blogs
Let me start by saying that each of these ways in which we researched an opportunity was enlightening. If the main corporate website seemed "hidden" at all, or never really came right out and said what the opportunity was or offered, then we ruled it out immediately. If a company is buoyant enough, they will not see any reason to not disclose everything to you. They should have no problem letting you know what you would be doing and what product or service you'd be representing. That check alone will rule out businesses that may not be on the up-and-up. The individuals already in the business should have websites that are professional and that don't have questionable content. They should also be up-to-date and informative. Testimonials should play a role in their marketing and information so that you know there are others out there and that they have been successful in the venture.

Forums are another way to get feedback on an opportunity. Keep in mind, however, that you get all kinds of people on them and you should get more than one opinion on a business. Often times, you may read an entry from someone who never even "worked" their business once they bought in and therefore is NOT a good judge of the potential that opportunity has to offer.*At one point, we considered a business opportunity which was difficult to explain to people in its value. Not that it wasn't a good product. But people didn't really understand how the product would benefit them short and long term and we found ourselves wondering if we were capable of marketing it both effectively and affordably. We felt that it may be more difficult to find a "target" customer. So although the product and company were respectable, it concerned us that we wouldn't have what it took to move forward in our efforts.

If you are one of those people who are tired of job cut backs and layoffs, less than stellar salary, and security now and in the future for you and your family and really want to make a change, I applaud you. That is the first step to finding financial independence and success. Motivation and consistency will carry you to success and in deciding to make a change, you have conquered one of the biggest hurdles—fear of failure. You will need to make your move into your new role as "business owner" with confidence and a positive attitude or you will not get far. And it will need to be a constant in your life. Some people are very enthusiastic initially, and then tire quickly of having to work their business day in and day out. But here is where you stop and ask yourself—"what is the alternative?" See, in making the move to business owner, you need to manage your time, do the things that need to be done on a daily basis and KEEP DOING THEM. You would have to in a job, only it would be for someone else's benefit financially. You would have to work everyday for a job, but it would be the hours someone else determined were required. You would have to work everyday in a job, but you would be limited in your income based on what that employer saw as your worth. Your own business changes that, and so when people fear failure, they are really fearing themselves and what they believe their ability to stay out there and active in the business is.

A small or home-based business—without question—IS the way to financial independence. What you do with it is up to you. We now put in about 20 hours a week (vs. 40 with our employer) and make each day a new challenge. We wake up and start each day knowing that any and all effort we put in is for US—and those whose lives we change through our opportunity. That keeps us motivated and excited. We don't waste time on fear. Because at the end of the day, it is true...you have nothing to fear but fear itself.

[Boomer]

You pretty much said it all, I have to assume everyone here is for the same reasons of you motivational post.

Times are bad and who knows what.

We all can stand a little motivation to look forward, thanks

Ed