Fear

Are you afraid to take a risk in business?
Do you resist good advice?

A recent post by Perry Marshall got me thinking about how we're all protective of what we've worked so hard to accomplish; to the point of being afraid to take a risk, or ignoring sound business advice from a colleague.

Or maybe your sounding board is a spouse, but you can't get them to see the "big picture" as you see it. They simply see a HUGE risk and can't understand it or get behind it.

Resisting risk is a very common problem for all of us as small business owners. But be honest with yourself - what risk or advice have you been resisting? If you don't power ahead and work through it, you'll have that unsettling feeling that will continue to gnaw at you until you resolve it.

What big decision are you putting off? Is it selling a business? Starting a new division? Attending an expensive industry seminar? Take some time away from the office and grab a notebook. Don't think too much, just start writing out all the reasons why you think this WILL work and why it's good for your business.

Then come to a conclusion - are my concerns valid and should I listen to them? Or can I find a way to make it reasonably fit into my business? If it's the latter, just do it. :-)

Ciao for now, Paula

In Small Biz News:

Combine Photos and Social Media for the Best Exposure

How to Create Real Relationships with Social Marketing - OK, so this is a no-brainer. Treat Social Media Marketing like a relationship with a friend and have real conversations with your customers.

Musings by Top eMarketers:

7 Marketing Sins by Seth Godin - common sense, really. Read the 7 Sins and be sure to take 5 minutes to watch the video - good stuff. Make something or build something people will talk about - brilliant!

How Committed are You? by Perry Marshall - relentless passion for learning and personal development.