Here we are again. Welcoming yet another new year.
With the turn of the new year comes an array of possibilities, opportunities and adventures.
And the best time to pursue these, is NOW!
Here are 5 New Years Resolutions for those of you out there who are budding entrepreneurs and are beginning your business, growing your business or even contemplating starting a business.
Follow these 5 steps in the New Year for a successful and rewarding enterprise experience.
And start, TODAY!
- Take that Risk
The hardest part of starting your own business is actually starting.
It is very easy to become caught up in the idea of failure or overwhelmed by the tasks required to actually begin this enterprise. Even if you have started your own business sometimes the idea or prospect of developing the business to the next stage, to seek investment or develop an additional product or service may demand more than you feel comfortable giving.
This year, step outside your comfort zone and TAKE THAT RISK. Your comfort zone is a beautiful place but nothing grows there. Take that leap of faith and back yourself.
But don’t worry because there are others who will also back you too. You can visit your Local Enterprise Office for mentoring, financial supports and opportunities to best aid you in your entrepreneurial journey.
2. Be Dedicated and Persistent
No one ever succeeded in business by being complacent, apathetic or by giving up. It is important to keep the vision for your enterprise in mind and work consistently and diligently to make that vision a reality.
Some days it can seem difficult to get to work when you are your own boss but a good idea is to sign up to a co-working space.
By attending a co-working space you will find that you are working alongside other passionate and skilled entrepreneurs that can help aid your business development process and this introduces a sense of community to what could begin as a sole-trading business.
Co-working spaces can enhance persistent work and dedication on those days when motivation is feeling quite low.
The Rubicon Cube is a co-working space that is located just outside of Cork City with free-parking, free internet and free coffee.
3. Create an Idea with a Purpose
The major deciding factor of a successful business is whether or not it is solving a problem and has an actual market for the product/service. Before delving into business development it is imperative that you have an understanding of the market that you are selling to, so:
Do your marketing research and create an idea with a purpose.
Also, make sure to share your ideas with people who are not just friends and family. Family and friends will be proud of you no matter what, and may give you biased feedback.
CIT are running a Hackathon for students to share and develop ideas in a creatively enhancing environment full of objective individuals.
If you are a CIT student and have, or want to develop a business idea check this out; CIT HACKATHON, otherwise take a leaf out of CIT’s book and pitch your ideas to objective third parties that you can trust to see if you have, in fact, created an idea with a purpose.
4. Be Passionate
Do something you love!
As an entrepreneur you will work tiresome hours and business development will be an emotional rollercoaster. However, as long as you are working at something you love and are passionate about, it will all be worth it.
You are in a very unique position as an entrepreneur to make what you love, what you do. Don’t throw away that opportunity.
5. Fail and Learn
Fail fast and fail often. That’s the key to success.
Now, that doesn’t mean don’t try and succeed but more so, don’t be afraid of small failures.
If something doesn’t work then learn why that doesn’t work and apply that to your next attempt. If you apply this method you eventually create a successful business based on past learnings.
If you learn from defeat, then you haven’t really lost.
Now take on these New Years Resolutions and be the best version of you that you can be.
Best of luck to all you innovators and entrepreneurs in 2019.
