ARE YOU STILL CUTTING CORNERS?

By Vernalee

Are you still cutting corners? In other words, are you doing something poorly in order to save time or money? Stop it! You know I have learned that it takes as much time to do it right as it does to do it wrong. Better yet, when it's right you don't have to do it again. Sure, cutting corners help you finish faster and may save time and cash. It also usually create an inferior product or outcome. So the time you wasted cutting corners - didn't pay off at all! Besides, you're a top quality person so why settle for anything less than the best! Can I get a handwave if you agree!

ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST

By Vernalee

About thirty years ago, I participated in an educational program with my son. I can remember that Saturday very vividly. The audience was Black male teenage students. There were a few parents there as well. The school's guidance counselor brought in this motivational speaker and dynamic rising star, a former radio personality turned legislator named Les Brown. He talked to the young students, many who didn't want to spend their Saturday in school. So to create some excitement, Les gave them an exercise. "Imagine that you were on a deserted island and all you had was your belt. List how you would use it." We gathered in small groups to take on this challenge. I served as the notetaker for our group. As the boys came up with ideas, they were listed. Then Les Brown had a spokesman from each group to tell how they would use their belt. Many of the ideas were indeed creative. At the end of the exercise, Les pulled out a crisp new $50.00 bill. "Now then, let's look at the team who had the most ideas." Of course, it was ours! Then, he gave the $50.00 to the winning team. There were about 5 boys (my son included) who had just earned $10.00 each. WOW! The money perked up the group and created excitement. From that point on, the boys were all in! Who knows...there may be another chance to make a few bucks... . Mr. Brown's message - "Always do your best!" It was a lesson that my son, the boys, and I remember. You have to approach assignments with seriousness and do your very best. Eventually, you will reap the rewards and see the fruitage of your labor! In the words of Les Brown, "Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else."

WERE YOU BORN TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR?

By Vernalee

Before you read this description, please know that I wasn’t born writing narratives, blogs or books; conducting training programs; or overseeing business operations. Certainly, I wasn’t born talking! I know many of you find that hard to believe, but it’s true. I do however believe that I was born to follow my passion and dreams. They placed me in the world of entrepreneurship. I am so glad that I landed there! My parents operated a “Mom and Pop” business in Mississippi. It was not fancy by any stretch of the imagination, but I grew up with a value system which inculcated "strong customer service skills" ... which I didn't realize at the time. Treating people with dignity and respect was a taught skill when it was their dollar bill that helped to feed your family. Unbeknownst, the entrepreneurial spirit was planted inside of me early on. Fast forwarding, I love what I do! I’m happy! I live and breathe the aroma of my daily surroundings. Is this work? Of course, it is! But I'm having so much fun that it doesn't feel like it. Maybe, we might be joined at the hip in this experience if this describes you. Let’s see. Here are “50 habits that born-to-be entrepreneurs can’t help but show. Let's go down the list and see how many you and I possess. Brace yourself! It is lengthy.

1. You can’t sit still. You’re always itching to come up with something.

2. You’re always coming up with ideas. Good or bad, the flow of ideas never stops.

3. You can pinpoint flaws in other ideas. It comes naturally to you.

4. You marvel at successful business owners. Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Bill Gates are just a few of your heroes.

5. You get excited when you see a successful business in action. Whether it’s a local bar or a supermarket franchise, you can’t help but smile when you see a good business.

6. You constantly think of ways to improve your employer’s business. When you’re at work, you only think about how it could be better.

7. You hate being told what to do. You’re resentful of taking orders

.8. You love to learn new things. How To’s and tutorials are what you’re all about.

9. You take things apart to see how they work. Remotes, toasters, phones — you love to see the inner workings.

10. You dream of wealth. Money isn’t everything, but you can’t help but have it on your mind.

11. You don’t give up easily. You face tough challenges but keep going.

12. You’re disciplined in your habits. You have set routines that don’t get broken easily.

13. You aren’t afraid of hard work. You give everything in your life 100 percent.

14. You have a high threshold for risk. You don’t take blind risks, but you don’t stay complacent either.

15. You meet as many people as you can. You aren’t afraid to branch out and meet new people.

16. You talk to everyone you meet. Strangers aren’t intimidating to you.

17. You bounce back from failure. You’ve experienced crushing failure, but it’s never stopped you from coming back.

18. You like calling the shots. You like the sound of being a director.

19. You set goals for yourself. Big or small, goals fill your life.

20. You help people whenever you can. You’re interested in the greater good.

21. You find challenges in everything you do. You seek out opportunities to challenge yourself.

22. You find ways to inspire people. You’re inspired by inspiration.

23. You plan everything down to the little details. Plans are a prerequisite for any activity.

24. You’re proud of yourself. You like who you are.

25. You help your friends solve their problems. You’re great at problem analysis.

26. You effectively delegate tasks and assign resources. In household chores and business operations alike.

27. You set deadlines for yourself. No excuses.

28. You like telling stories. You love to tell people about your experiences.

29. You’re hyper competitive. You can’t even play a board game without flipping that switch.

30. You get involved with things. You always ask if you can help.

31. You cut out things in your life that don’t work for you. If it’s inefficient or bothersome, it’s gone.

32. You negotiate whatever you can. Flea markets and salaries are just the beginning.

33. You see the potential in people. You don’t see people for who they are. You see them for who they could be.

34. You’re calm in a crisis. When stuff hits the fan, you still think logically.

35. You follow up with people when you want something. You don’t let opportunities go.

36. You avoid things that waste your time. You’re immune to mobile games and idle social-media time.

37. You persuade people to your side. You’re a natural rhetorician.

38. You make rational decisions, not emotional ones. For the most part, you trust your logic over your emotions.

39. You don’t forget people’s emotions. Still, there’s great sympathy in you.

40. You lose track of time when pursuing passion projects. Time seems to fly when you’re heads-down working on something.

41. You frequently start new passion projects. Every week, a new idea is transformed into a hobby.

42. You constantly upgrade your house (or car or anything). There’s always something to tinker with, replace or improve.

43. You’re crazy about new technology. You’re addicted to learning how new technologies can improve your life.

44. You read the news every day. It’s an ingrained habit.

45. You read books voraciously. Every book offers something new.

46. You listen to that internal voice. You trust your instincts.

47. You listen to others’ advice. You make your own decisions, but listen to others’ opinions too.

48. You don’t dwell in the past. When bad things happen, you keep moving forward.

49. You make sacrifices for what you want. You know you have to give things up to see greater success.

50. You never write off your dreams. You take your aspirations seriously. They’re a part of you.

”Welcome to this world if this description fits you! We are indeed playmates! Photo credit: www.colourbox.com; Source: www.entrepreneur.com