What Stops People From Becoming Entrepreneurs?

As an entrepreneur, I am always observing people and thinking about how they could put their own talents to work for themselves. It puzzles me to see so many talented people giving their time to employers that could care less about them.

I have observed many people from all different fields, posting their resumes on job boards, attempting to sell themselves and their incredible talents to an employer.....

Look at some of the phrases I have observed:

-"Given my strengths in managing day-to-day operations...."

-"Highly-skilled Senior-Level Customer Service and Relationship Manager with a wealth of experience in...."

-"Seeking a suitable position that utilizes my years of industry experience and skills, to exceed company goals...."

-"Strong leader in discovering, developing, negotiating, and managing regions, teams, and enterprise accounts...."

-"If you are looking for a leader that is an ambitious self-starter, give me a call and let's discuss how we can grow your organization...."


-Sales people explaining how they have increased sales and profits for previous employers.

-Customer service people explaining the value they bring to the table and how effective they are in resolving customer service issues

-Offers to exceed company goals and grow your organization.

-Successful managers & people with incredible leadership skills.

WHY then, are these individuals not developing their own businesses? They clearly have the skills for success. I also take the opportunity to talk to these type of individuals and ask them if they have thought of putting their skills towards starting their own business. It is absolutely shocking how few have considered, or would consider this option. Society is so conditioned that the only way to earn a living is to work for an employer. This is what is taught by educators, family, friends, the media - "get a good job".

This thinking is based on fear, limiting beliefs and past conditioning. Society is so conditioned to buy into "security", and believe they can't survive financially without a steady paycheck. When I look at these statements that employee's are making to sell themselves to an employer, it reminds me how important it is to realize the value we all have. We are all capable of utilizing our skills to build our own businesses....clearly these individuals that posted the statements above are talented, creative and valuable. Unfortunately throughout their lives they have been brainwashed to believe that the only way they can put these skills to work is to sell their lives to an employer for an hourly wage, and sacrifice their freedom of time.

I challenge everyone reading this post to really search within....make a list of all the things you are good at, have knowledge or expertise in, the things you love and are passionate about. Take the time to make this list in detail. Now, look over that list, realize how talented YOU are and ask yourself, why I am I being told what time to go to work, when to take my holidays, what clothes I must wear to work, whether I can stay home with my children if they are sick...why am I settling for the pay level I am at, waiting for a promotion, or stuck at a dead-end job with no room for growth. I would bet it is because someone, somewhere, told you this is how it is supposed to be, and of course most people around you are stuck in the same thinking, and when you are surrounded by people that think that same way, then you believe it must be true.

If you are willing to step out of your conditioned thinking, your comfort zone, and entertain a new way of thinking, you will learn that there are other options available to you, if you have an open mind. There is something that you can do for yourself with the interests/skills/training/knowledge you have acquired. Stop selling yourself short....realize there is an entrepreneurial idea within you that you are fully capable of being successful with! If you don't know where to start....if you have the desire, but just need a solid business model you can follow, contact me directly...I assist individuals in setting up their own "business in a box". Either way, I wish you the best in unleashing the entrepreneur that is within you, just waiting to come out!

In your service,

Debbie Ruston
1-800-576-2917 or
1-519-342-4050
http://www.BeHome2.ca

Tremendous VALUE Baby Boomers Bring To The Business World

I just read an excellent article in Forbes Magazine about middle age and the brain. It is being discovered and proven scientifically, that as baby boomers, we are definitely getting smarter. This generation is more experienced than ever and there is actually something to be said about "older and wiser".

Why is this important? There are more individuals in this age range than any time in history. People are living longer and there is a huge amount of people in this particular age group due to the baby boomer generation. This also represents a bigger population of individuals that are still in the work world and have often been written off as "too old for the job".

Most people have been conditioned to believe that mid life means we have "mid-life crisis" and "empty nest syndrome", "lose our memory", "can't see close up without reading glasses", etc, and other derogatory terms that cast a negative attitude towards aging. Although our close up vision is more challenging, it isn't something that stops us-we just pick up a pair of reading glasses!!!! During this age, we are more knowledgeable, more experienced, more committed, more responsible, have more credibility, contacts and resources than we ever had in our younger years.

This month I am celebrating my 51st birthday. The photo above is on my 50th birthday...... when I was growing up, 50 was thought to be old! That is still believed by many, and some of the people that believe it, are people in this age category. Unfortunately many "buy into" the conditioning they have been fed....they are their own worst enemy - they are often the people that wonder why no one will hire them "at their age" after being downsized. I feel the best I have ever felt in my life. I have more energy, I am more experienced, I am stronger, fitter, healthier and happier than I have ever been. My mind is clearer, sharper and more focused than it has ever been. I have a wealth of ideas swirling through my brain, non stop. I see so much potential, and possibility, when other's see doom and gloom. Of course there are individuals that will tell you the opposite. They have "accepted" the negative brainwashing that has been cast throughout the years, and "bought into" what other's have "taught them" about what it is supposed to be like at this stage of life, and they "live into" that conditioned belief.

At any age of life, we have a choice. We have a choice to buy into what the masses are programmed to believe by society, the media, the educational system, the corporate world, etc. , and, there are many individuals that "buy into" this conditioned thinking that limit's our potential.

At any age, we can believe we are limited, or we can look to people that are achieving what we want to achieve and simply follow their actions to duplicate the results in our own lives. Want to be a fit baby boomer - find a fit baby boomer - learn what they do (eating habits, fitness routine, etc) and start doing what they do. Want to be successful financially - find a financially successful baby boomer and learn what they do - (are they self employed, what kind of work do they do, what kind of investments do they make, what kind of people do they associate with) - start doing what they do. Have you been downsized - STOP playing the victim! Use your past experience and go out and create your own business - use the incredible experience you have gained....tap into your passions and find something you can do for yourself!

I have a close friend that loves photography. She has some brilliant ideas and takes beautiful pictures. All her life she has been working a job. Now, in her 50's, she is taking more pictures, following her passion and just loving her hobby, and is starting to gain exposure and recognition for her work. This is how successful businesses often get off the ground. People just doing more of what they really love, and combining their passion and experience. This is exactly how many successful entrepreneurs are born....they end up running a thriving business and are able to leave the restraints of being an employee.

One thing I can recommend that has made a massive difference in my own life is to work on yourself - through personal development. Read books, attend seminars, listen to CD's, learn from other successful people. Stimulate your brain! The more you work on your "thinking" the more you increase your results in absolutely every area of your life. We have SO much to offer society at this age - whether it is the knowledge we offer an employer, or branching out to start your own business, or devoting time to a charity - this knowledge we have gathered throughout years of real, hands on experience is what it takes for an individual to go out and create their own business. Don't limit yourself to working for employers who have bought into the conditioning of hiring younger people. Why be at the effect of this negative programming? Go out and do something for yourself! Take control of your life, realize how much value you have, follow your passions, live into your potential! Take a stand for changing the negative "label" that has been placed on baby boomers by being the EXAMPLE that people can follow. Be a clear demonstration of the VALUE that we have and the wealth of experience and knowledge we offer.

In Your Service

Debbie Ruston
1-800-576-2917 or
1-519-342-4050

Integrity In Business

Is integrity important in business? Seems like a silly question, however, a subject that many really don't grasp the importance of. What does integrity mean? The Wiki answer is this: Keeping your integrity would be keeping your good name or maintaining your respectable character.

I recently observed two very well know individuals, that I had previously had a lot of respect for, have an online battle of words against each other. They were both in the same industry and had a falling out of some sort. As I observed their conduct and how they were handling their personal situation, (which should have been private) - I went from having respect for both, to being disgusted by both. They both cut each other up, throwing accusations and attempted to make themselves look like the expert and the guru. They both sent personal emails to their entire email list, and published websites cutting each other up. They looked like a pair of 2 year olds that didn't get their own way. Why is it that people think they can or should use the internet to voice their battles? It actually did the opposite for me....I lost all respect for both and now do not believe a word either of them have to say. I can't believe in someone that is teaching a topic of ethics and good business practice, (which is their claimed expertise) that is blatently destroying a former colleagues reputation. Because of their public quarrel, they have just destroyed their own reputation. Isn't that interesting.....they were attempting to make each other look discredited, but by doing so in such an unprofessional way, they actually discredited themselves!

Integrity is something I believe every individual should develop and understand. People have a right to their own opinion and their own choices. However, it is no ones right to publicly destroy another human beings reputation because of their difference in opinion or direction. Someone of true integrity can respect differences in opinion and walk their own path without feeling a need to destroy someone else's path.

There is a rule of abundance in the universe. We live in a very abundant world...there is not a limit to success or opportunity. There is enough for everyone. We do not have to do business in a way that destructive to other people's path. It is a big world and with technology today, we truly have the opportunity to do business worldwide. Technology is a great thing, if you use it properly and not to destroy another human being.

I challenge every single business owner to really understand the importance of this concept - it doesn't matter what type of business you are in...from running an ice cream stand to an international business....find your own niche, be of service, be of integrity, open your arms wide and give everything you can to your client base - this is how you build a successful business - NOT by getting out your sword and slaying the competition, in an attempt to build your own interests! Stand on your own two feet and promote what YOU bring to the table. If you can't do that, and can only build a business by throwing rocks at the competition, it is time to take a serious look at what value you provide.

Yes, integrity in business is important....but it is a concept that we have all learned as children, if we just stop and think - treat other people like you would want to be treated!

In your service,

Debbie Ruston
1-800-576-2917 or
1-519-342-4050