Four Magic Words For Starting A Business
Michael Gifford

ALACAZAM! HOKUS POKUS! PRESTOCHANGO!

No, not those four magic words. Granted, they might coax a rabbit out of a hat, but they won't do a thing for you if you're trying to get a business off the ground.

HERE THEY ARE

The four words to which I refer are not magic in and of themselves, but when you string them together and take them to heart, they can do wonders for your business. In fact, if they are heeded, not only can they help your business prosper, they also have the potential to help you live longer, keep your marriage strong, help you maintain a solid reputation in your community, and keep you sane. The words are, "Dream Big, Start Safe."

DREAM BIG
If you're pursuing your own business then I don't need to say much to you about dreaming. Most likely your dreams of financial freedom, time freedom and being your own boss were what prompted you to investigate owning your own business in the first place. All I'll add is my exhortation to you to cling tenaciously to those dreams. Don't ever let them go. All of the great discoveries this world has ever known were once dreams. All of the incredible business successes that have ever existed first existed in the minds of those who created them. 

START SAFE
The second half of the magic phrase deserves a little more attention here. The reason for this is because of a terrible temptation that faces everyone who wants to break away from their jobs and strike out on their own. It is the temptation to let those dreams cloud the reality of the time, the effort and, most importantly, the money it takes to achieve them.

Let's focus on the money part. As you've been dreaming, have you also taken the time to carefully think through the details of getting your business started? How much is it going to cost? Do you have that much money? If for some reason the business failed, how much of an impact would the financial loss have on you? Would it cause you to lose your house, your savings or even everything you own? 

You are the only one who can answer these hard questions and yet they must be answered. I think some folks don't take the time to deal with them because they're afraid of the answers. They're afraid they'll discover that they're not ready to go into business for themselves and that's the last thing they want to hear.

By starting your business without carefully considering the costs, you will quickly discover how easy it is to get in over your head. That's when the dreams fade and the nightmares begin. That's when, due to the financial pressures under which you placed yourself because of a lack of careful planning, your business begins to suffer, the stress begins taking its toll on your health, your relationships become strained, your reputation takes a hit, and you start feeling as though you'll go crazy.

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS
Dream big. After all, if you're going to be dreaming anyway, you might as well dream big. Envision yourself becoming everything you want to become and achieving everything you want to achieve through your business. 

But start safe. Think through the costs of getting a business started. Make sure you have the financial resources available to get your business started off on the right foot. If you don't, either postpone the start of that business for awhile, start it on a part-time basis, or open your mind to the possibilities of other types of businesses you could start that cost less and yet would still be able to help you turn your dreams into reality.

"Dream Big, Start Safe." Let these four words be your guide as you examine the many business opportunities that are before you.

Are they really magic? Please take it from one who once got caught up in his dreams and got in way over his head. Had I started safely with my big dreams in that business, I could have made several years of heartache and pressure disappear.

Michael Gifford and his wife, Shannon have more than 30 years combined experience in operating successful home businesses. They are the owners of NoBizLikeHomeBiz.Com, an unbiased and objective resource for home business. Visit http://www.nobizlikehomebiz.com. Michael can be reached at expectgreatness@nobizlikehomebiz.com.

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