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This morning, I urge women to reflect back on themselves as an optimistic little girl who is telling others what you want to do when you’grows up’. I think that too often we wind up trapped in a life we don’t want due to financial fears and a definition of success that belongs to someone else. I put much of my own success down to figuring out how I wanted to live my life, rather than being continually stuck on determining who I wanted to be. I was guided by seven principles she came up with while at a retreat in Bali, covering items like well being, balance, courage, love and freedom – and put these at the heart of my new business venture.

It’s okay to fail in business – Richard Branson did so plenty of times – as long as you’re willing to pick yourself up, learn from the mistakes and try again. Indeed, even for those who sacrifice corporate jobs in an attempt to launch their own thing, if things go wrong you can always go back and work for somebody else.

And by sticking to your core principles of how you want to live, you’ll find plenty of like-minded people, possibilities and clients along the way.

There will be plenty of questions you will ask yourself . Below are some of the top tips I offer to entrepreneurs and those thinking about becoming an entrepreneur:

Failure is okay. Don’t treat your business like a side business – even if it’s work you do on top of your day job. “It’s in the discomfort that good stuff happens,” Law said.

You don’t need to be ‘everywhere’ on social media. Stick to what you’re good at it and what you enjoy. “Find a way to make it fun.”

Bad days do happen in business – but it’s not actually a bad thing. Bad days are an opportunity to fail and learn.

Surround yourself with incredible people – at work and in your social life. Find people who keep you inspired, hungry and passionate.

Use collaboration wisely. You don’t necessarily need employees as a start-up, and you may find it beneficial to bring in the best freelancers and contractors chosen according to the project. Follow a proven system, jump on board, be open to learning about new opportunities.

Explore the urge to be ‘free’. “I’m convinced the reason we did so well so quickly was because we wanted to be free,” “A big part of that was financial freedom. I get up every day and think about how I can grow my business.”

Voice your ideas and leverage your relationships. “Tell people what you want to do. Don’t hold back, tell everyone who’ll listen what it is you want.”

Look after yourself. “You are that business. I know that if I’m not at my best every day, the business is not at its best.”

Be Amazing

Noelene Karlsen

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Posted by noelene, 12th June 2013