Research shows that there are ten basic strategies that people consider most effective in dealing with the obstacles or challenges that come their way.

1. Set Goals. Make them explicit, something that can be achieved in the near future, challenging and attainable.
2. Write the goals down.
3. Make each goal build on the past. You should be able to see a progression.
4. Offer yourself a small reward. Pat yourself on the back whenever you score yourself a victory on the way toward your goal.
5. Social support. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your goals.
6. Orchestrate the environment. Make sure you have all the required equipment and have arranged your schedule so you are able to perform the necessary tasks.  This might also include observing others whose achievements inspire you.
7. Start with a non-competitive situation. Challenge yourself first. After you have met your personal goal, you can pit yourself against others, if you desire.
8. Monitor your progress. Periodically check to see if you are moving in the right direction, closer to your goal.
9. Adjust your approach. If, after monitoring your progress, you find that you have veered away from your goal, change your course. Numbers 8 and 9 may have to be repeated several times before you achieve your ultimate goal.
10. Make these steps a habit. Then each time you have a new goal, you will automatically be able to repeat these ten steps.

Question It –

Talk It Out – Share your problem with someone you trust.

Write It Down – Putting on paper helps you to see things in perspective.

Distance It – Imagine a few years from now.How much will it matter then?

Exaggerate It – Picture the worst that could really happen.How likely is it?

Attack It - Take the first steps to solving the problem.

Breathe it Away – Inhale deeply, exhale with a sigh a few times.Let your tensions go as you breathe out.

1. Not knowing what to expect
2. Dismissing ‘turbulence’ as growing pains
3. Thinking you know it all
4. Being oblivious to how other people perceive you
5. Forgetting the importance of marketing data
6. Not focusing on strategy
7. Not communicating your vision and values and plan
8. Not hiring people who fit the values and culture of the company
9. Not making tough decisions regarding people and strategies
10. Not changing your own leadership style through different stages of business growth

1. Create expectations:

2. Set a stretch challenge: Make people grow and coach them along the way.

3. Never move too slowly on critical personnel decisions: Dragging your feet here will really hurt your business.

4. Involve people in both DEVELOPING and IMPLEMENTING strategy: Too much tops down brings the top down.

5. Call a spade a spade: Address poor performance or it'll cost you - BIG.

6. Reward your stars!: Pay good performers what they're worth, and it will be returned to you tenfold.

7. Get the right person for the job: Define the job and find the person who can do it rather than redefining the job to fit the capabilities of the incumbent.

8. Require that people do their homework: When people are not prepared for meetings, the company is not prepared to make decisions.

9. Constantly upgrade skills: Provide continuous training to keep people at their best.

10. Recognise that pride drives performance more than money: Compliment people for a job well done.

• What makes me different from my competitors?
• If I ceased to exist, why would my customers miss me?
• What do customers ask for that I don't have?
• What need do I fill that no one else in the market fills?
• What need could I fill for my customers if I wanted to?
• Have I segmented my market precisely enough?
• Who are my best customers? Why? What needs of theirs do I fill?
• Do customers buy my whole line of products and services? What part of the line is most popular? Most profitable?
• Where are the customers I want to capture?