Test Drive December 2015 | Page 34

BUSINESS BUSINESS FIVE TIPS For Abundant Business Image credit: Gregory Han E very one of us who owns a business started with a dream to build a thriving and abundant business. Why do some dreams manifest while others do not? Over the years, I have studied hundreds of real business examples, including some of my own, and have found common patterns that delineate lack from abundance. So if you find yourself in lack, and desire to shift, then take note of these five tips to achieve abundance in your own life. The beautiful thing about this list is that it is not only useful to the business owner, the entrepreneur, the business manager, the CEO, the not for profit, or the artistic creator. These rules also apply to aspects of your personal life. So take note. They will change your business and possibly your life. Don’t give up because an idea, concept or project does not work. People who imbibe and exude abundance do not take a failure as the end. They see the failure as something that did not work, evaluate and move on. Thomas Edison likely failed many times before his light bulb actually illuminated. In fact it is recorded that he had 1,093 patents filed within the U.S. He was abundant with ideas and conviction. It equated to an abundant inventor and businessman. Choose happiness. So many people are so busy chasing dreams that they miss the opportunity to find the abundance in the now. I have heard Mick Jagger say that his favourite memories are playing the small clubs. To this day The Rolling Stones will start off their extensive and massive stadium shows with impromptu club performances like playing live at The Horseshoe Tavern or The El Mocambo in Toronto - clubs that can hold barely 200 people. I have worked with thousands of bands - most with the same dream, to become famous. To actually get somewhere. They miss the moment and because they miss the moment, they usually fall by the wayside. Only a very few make it in the music business and often those that do, are completely in joy doing what they are doing. I am not saying this holds true for all musicians. Of course, there are examples of very miserable artists who made it, but while fame and money may have manifested for them, without happiness they are not abundant. Be courageous. If you have not read the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach, then I suggest that you do. It is not a business book. It is not even really a self-help book. It’s a beautiful fable about a bird learning to fly and finding freedom. In that regard it is everybody’s business reference guide. It is a book about the freedom in being courageous. Here is just one of the many beautifully inspiring quotes from the book about learning to fly: “The gull sees farthest who flies highest.” Break the scarcity cycle. Never for one minute believe that you are not good enough or that other people are better than you. Much of our collective consciousness is invested in feeling better or worse than others. These patterns of feeling great or weak are instilled into us at such an early age that most of us are unaware that we even have these thoughts. But if you observe yourself closely you will notice you do. Lets take an example of a business study. Think about your biggest competitor, someone who in your eyes is a success. Notice what you feel. Jealousy perhaps? Maybe even a sense of “I suck” in comparison. It is simply not true. The truth is that each one of us is uniquely divine, and feeling that someone is better than you perpetuates a cycle of scarcity. That scarcity will manifest in your business life. Conversely, once you break the scarcity cycle, you enter into the abundance cycle. Never lose sight of your goals. Kelly Cutrone, a top fashion PR and television personality, once gave me a piece of advice that stuck with me. She said to picture that you are at the carnival and you are playing the water gun game. You know the one, where you have to squirt the bull’s-eye consistently until the bell rings. Well, the winners have something in common. They never take their eyes off their own target to see what the other people are doing. The moment you take your eyes off your own game, you will be beaten. Entertainment Tonight host Leeza Gibbons says the same thing in different words: “Stay in your lane.” In other words, don’t look at what the other traffic is doing. Do your thing and stay focused. The most famous story to illustrate this is the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. We all know who wins that race. I encourage you to put these five tips into practice immediately and watch your business develop in a whole new way. If you would like further support or guidance for your business, I would be pleased to work with you in developing a business plan for one year, three years or five years. You can find the details at my website rishivision. com. Since 1994, Rishi Deva, founder and CEO of RishiVision and entrepreneurial coach, has empowered thousands of businesses. Rishi has an MBA in marketing and entrepreneurial studies and a BBA in accounting. He has spent nearly twenty years coaching, consulting, managing and supporting thousands of businesses from new startups to active global leaders. For more information on Rishi, please visit www.rishivision.com.