In This I Believe

So, the 7th, and final, Harry Potter book arrives on the scene. Having no interest in the whole Harry Potter phenomenon, I can, and do, appreciate what it does for the imaginations of the children who are avid fans and readers of these phantasmagorical stories! Not only are they actually reading, they are learning to stretch their imaginations to their limits. Everything is possible, and nothing will stop these Muggles in their aspirations to overcome hardship and evil.

I tried relating this concept to owning a business.

1. Everything is possible! Yes, everything IS possible. It can't be any other way! If we thought otherwise, we may as well pack things up and close our doors.

2. Nothing will stop us! As business owners we are always going that extra mile, providing extra service, going above and beyond in order to set us apart from the rest of the crowd. We advertise, we market, we network, we volunteer, we barter our services....we don't stop.... we can't stop, it's in our blood.

3. Overcome hardship and evil! Sorry to say, but there are those "Sinister Sam's out there who will do or say anything to ensure that you fail! I'm not talking about our competition. Competition is good. It keeps us on our toes and watchful of the ways we treat our clients. I'm talking about those "nay-sayers" out there! Those with such powerful and negative vibes who want you to fail before you even get started! These are the people who have no imagination, no joy, no magical moments in their lives. Recently I told someone of a new business venture of mine. Instead of being excited and encouraging, she offered a list of cons regarding the pitfalls of the new business. For a moment, I was stunned that she would take my enthusiasm and crush it without even a thought for my feelings. But, once out of that state of stun, I made a simple comment...."Well, I have to keep a positive attitude about it, for if I think in the negative, I will fail for certain."

Okay, maybe I should be paying more attention to the Harry Potter phenomenon. Maybe we all should be reading the sagas of the Muggle moppets. As business owners we all need to open our minds, be more creative, more imaginative, more enthusiastic, more open to new and innovative ideas. My most favorite saying.....and many of you have heard me say this time and time again.... "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten."

In this I believe.

Eydie Stumpf,
Eydie's Office
http://www.eydiesoffice.com

Eydie is a small business owner in Southern California. She is an active member of the Corona Chamber of Commerce and recent recipient of their Rookie of the Quarter Award. Eydie's clients range from non-profit organizations to business coaches, and authors.