Who does any real business in the summer months?  I hear that ALL the time from women entrepreneurs and it makes me cringe!

I can just hear the words of Suzanne Evans (my coach) ringing in my ears – ‘Are you a hobby owner or a business owner?! If you are a business owner, then get real. It doesn’t matter what month it is, what season it is, what city you’re in…….if you’re in business, then you’re in business! Get real!

Many years ago, when I was delivering workshops regularly, there was one story, in particular, that I loved to share.  It’s been on my mind all week so I did a Google search to find it for you:

THE MAN WHO SOLD HOT DOGS

There was a man who lived by the side of the road and sold hot dogs.
He was hard of hearing, so he had no radio.
He had trouble with his eyes, so he read no newspaper.
But he sold good hot dogs.
He put signs up on the highway telling how good they were.
He stood on the side of the road and cried “Buy a hot dog, mister?”
And people bought.
He increased his meat and bun orders.
He bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade.

He finally got his son home from college to help him out.
But then something happened.
His son said, “Father, haven’t you been listening to the radio?”
“Haven’t you been reading the newspaper?”
There’s a big depression.”
“The European situation is terrible.”
The domestic situation is worse.”
Whereupon the father thought, “Well, my son has been to college: he
reads the papers and listens to the radio, he ought to know.”
So his father cut down on his meat and bun orders, took down his
advertising signs, and no longer bothered to stand out on the highway
to sell his hot dogs.

And his hot dog sales fell almost overnight.
“You’re right, son.” the father said to the boy.
“We are certainly in the middle of a great depression.”

That’s what I call a self-fulfilling prophecy. Powerful story, wouldn’t you say?

Another story that I found on a Google search is this one (it relates to the same kind of thinking):

“stink’in think’in”

It was about the shoe company that sent a new salesman to Africa. When he arrived, he immediately wired back, “Returning on the next flight. They don’t use shoes here.”

They sent another salesman who, upon arrival wired back, “Start shipping shoes of all sizes and styles immediately. There’s no competition!”

When you read these 2 stories – what are you thinking? How does this relate to the way you are handling your business right now? There are more women millionaire entrepreneurs these days than ever before. Now, I’m not implying that we all want to be millionaires – but, if you ARE in business, seriously in business – then what are you doing each and every day to grow your business?

While most women entrepreneurs may be sitting at home being depressed and discouraged, those of us out there have no competition. (Last July, my revenue increased 1000% because I think differently about marketing in the summer months and you can, too!)

The competition is in your mind – not ‘out there’!

Where are your beliefs holding you back?

Where are you getting in your own way?

What are you going to do differently this week when it comes to growing your business?

Let me know your thoughts – I’d love to hear from you!

Please share your thoughts!