As a woman business owner it is important to learn all you can about being successful in business. If you're like most other entrepreneurs who want to stay in the know you probably follow thought leaders and gurus. But did you know that another great place to find success tips is by to simply pay attention to what you see in everyday life? Here's a few insights that I gleaned by observing the way an ant goes about its day.
Diligence
Ants are probably one of the best examples for learning about the power of diligence and how it helps produce great results. The smallest of all creatures it is likely one of the most productive of all living things. When compared to people who are slothful in work, the ant helps us see two distinct traits that lead to success. It is a model for traditional careers and for those who are self-employed. The ant realizes that there is a time to sow and a time to reap. Business cycles follow this same pattern so it is critical that we prepare for the ebbs and flows and to remain energetic in our work. As you anticipate the change in seasons maximize sales by raising the bar in productivity. You will be glad you did when there is adequate cash reserve to carry you through the not so good seasons.
Independence
In order to be successful, there are two behaviors that you can adopt from the ant's example. First, cultivate independence. It is important to be able to manage time well on your own without requiring supervision. Being your own boss requires you to make every effort to carry assignments through to completion. This will become second nature as you become more aware of the urgency to get work done within a specified time frame. When it comes to work ethics another lesson the ant teaches is to not put off tomorrow what you can do today. Allow this standard to become part of your work DNA so that you are consistent in following through.
Alertness
Another important point to note is that you also need to heighten your sense of alertness. Develop this skill by getting familiar with your company and industry's cycles. Conduct research often and prepare forecasts so that you are always ahead of the game. Use your findings to answer questions such as:
- When is the best time to invest resources into marketing, networking and advertising?
- When can you expect those results to produce?
- What do you need to do now in order to ensure a bountiful harvest during peak and off seasons?
These are just a few tips that I learned from paying attention to the ant. I'd also love to hear yours.
To your productive day!
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