Tuesday, February 1, 2011

#1 Excuse for a Failed Business - I Don't Have Enough Time


I am going to give it to you straight here - no sugar coating. So if you aren't up for a reality check , stop reading now. This is going to be harsh - sort of like Lou Gossett, Jr as the drill sergeant in "An Officer and a Gentleman."

I have coached hundreds of clients on how to succeed with online selling, creating passive income streams, and starting a home business. The #1 excuse I hear regarding why clients don't do assignments, and therefore don't succeed:

"I don't have enough time."

This is a classic (lame) excuse and usually comes from the people with the most time to spare. We all have the exact same amount of time in every day, 24 hours. A perceived lack of time is usually lack of something else - discipline, focus, prioritizing, passion, or decision making. When I hear, "I don't have enough time," what that person is saying is, "I don't want this badly enough." The cold hard truth here is:

You will make time for what is important to you.

What do you really want? To make more money? To quit your "regular" job and earn a living on eBay full time? To earn enough money for a down payment on a house? To retire early? Financial freedom? The way you spend your time is how you show value for the important things in your life. Fact:

If you don't spend time on something, you do not value it.

Now, I am not saying you should be glued to your computer 12 hours a day and neglect your family, yourself, or your life. Building a successful business is about making choices. Being an entrepreneur involves many unpaid hours before you start to see results. Are you letting the drama of life get in the way of your focus? Are you spending time on things that will help you reach your goal, or are you frittering time away on activities that are unrelated to reaching your goals? Consider this:

You are where you are today because of choices you have made in your life.

Every choice you have made up to today has shaped your current situation in life. For example, when you are working on your eBay business, and a neighbor comes to the door, do you tell them you are working and can't chat? Do you turn off your phone while you are working, or do you allow the phone to interrupt you? Do your evenings revolve around mindless TV - something that will never help your business grow? Do you jump at any invitation to socialize knowing that your work won't get done?

It is time to stop living in the land of excuses. If you want something badly enough, you will work towards it. You will make time for what is important to you. We all have the same amount of time in a day, what you do with it is your decision.

"Desire is the starting point of all achievement - not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything." ~ Napoleon Hill, author of "Think and Grow Rich."

That's my story, and I am stickin' to it.

9 comments:

John Paul - Vitamin eBay said...

Excellent Post... I think I will print it out and hang it up near my eBay work station.

Unknown said...

Thanks for reminding me that if I don't spend time on something I don't value it. I'm going to spend more time with my wife tonight & I'm going to read my Bible.

Anissa.Lynette said...

Great post!

HAPPYBARGAINS said...

DITTO! I was just going to print it too (AND pass it out to my kids!) Great!

Bluefrogshoes.com said...

Awesome!

Anonymous said...

Wow! This great post just blew my mind. I just poured my heart into an email yesterday unaware of this post which was prior to my email.

Talk about reaffirmation. If I needed it, I just got it. An omen? I don't know, but this post was right in line with the email I sent.

Almost eerie when I think about it, but right on the point with my thinking. I shouldn't even be here now ( shh! don't tell coach). I should be working, but I am glad I stopped by to read this post.

Also one of my favorite quotes that is posted in my daily journal along with another great quote- "Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right’. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."
— Napoleon Hill

Thank you.

Brad

Suzanne A. Wells said...

Brad, I hope you don't think this post was directed at you - it wasn't! You are a hard worker and have your priorities in line. You are doing great and will go places in life. Keep up the good work!

Unknown said...

Say it like it is:) I was starting to make the same excuses but then realized that nobody else is going to do it but myself. I've never sold anything on eBay and am starting this week. I'll need all the tips I can get from your blog:):) Happy Tuesday..

Kristi said...

Love this post! You nailed it right on the head. What you put out into the universe is what you get back. Took me a little while to figure it out, but once I did, it is life changing!