Partner Article

The Importance of being Positive

“YOU know you’re alive!” This was the response of a chap to a question of mine. This was: What do you enjoy the most about being in business?

I agree with his reply. I have been self-employed now for 7 ½ years and if there’s one thing you know for sure – you certainly know you’re alive. Running a business, even a very small scale operation, gives you a chance to experience just about every emotion in the human dictionary!

There are the highs and the lows, the exhilaration and the scary. When things are going well you’re flying, and when things aren’t going well it’s a white knuckle ride. This, perhaps, all comes more fully into focus when we reach the start of January and those New Year resolutions are made, with such determination. The thing is, I have found, that since starting my business, I have actually kept to my New Year resolutions. Well, most of the time (cutting down on chocolate intake has not, I fear, been such a success.)

Being bold, decisive and resilient are key attributes for anyone who is self-employed. New Year resolutions for your business are much more like aims; they are serious goals. As the year proceeds, timescales are reset as plans go awry, the unexpected bursts upon you. But the effort is made to achieve those goals.

This feeds into your personal outlook. Running a business is an excellent way of building self-confidence, adaptability, social and people skills. Your business not only provides income but personal development.

There is one other attribute, I have found, which business provides: Positivity. It’s no good avoiding problems and decision making; adversity, especially, really tests your mettle. But battle through, you do. And always in a positive frame of mind. Every day offers a wealth of opportunities, possibilities, and your fate is in your hands.

Or, as that chap said, “You know you’re alive!”

Chris Rooney Writing Works Phone: 0741 595 4065 E-mail: christopher-rooney@hotmail.co.uk Web: https://chrisrooney.wordpress.com Twitter: @cprooney

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Christopher Rooney .