Why do people start business? How do they start a business? What made
them think of a business? What inspired their idea? How were they able to
become successful? How did they make it to the business world where there are a
lot of competition? How did they manage to race with long time entrepreneurs?
What attitudes make it to the business world? Are we ready to face the
competition? Can we rise and take up the challenge? These are just a few of the
questions that people ask when they ever thought of starting up a business. Sometimes
people over think or at the beginning decided to give up thinking they don’t have
what it takes to take up big time businessmen/women. Some think that their
business will be crushed in the long run. Some even think that their business
is not good enough that’s why they would end up closing their business. And,
there are some that ended up bankrupt for not being able to handle their money
correctly. However this story about a mother, a daughter and a pineapple will
show you that there are more to little things than looking at those big picture
around. It shows that by looking at a specific clip can help you create a more
defined picture. Let’s see how these three things add up: mother, daughter and
pineapple, and how they made a really big difference not just in their lives,
those around them and also those who have seen the video about their life.
A
simple idea can make a big difference. People can start an innovation from problems
they face every day or they encounter once in their lives. And, this brilliant
people who are not afraid to try and venture the ideas they have thought of are
those that became successful in their lives. They think positive and that
everything is going to work out, if you don’t have positivity then even a
little success won’t make you happy. You always have to think that some way or
another things are going to work out because life is not always rainbows and
unicorns sometimes it could be grey and thorns. There is always two-sides of
the coin and you can’t always have the good one so even if you are on the other
side today you might not be there tomorrow. “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future,
concentrate the mind on the present moment.” –
Buddha.
Living
a simple life with her little daughter, she was contented. They had a really
small business selling freshly cut pineapples in a cart which are healthy to
the tummy. Having a daughter she managed to teach her the basics. She didn’t
know how or what to tell her daughter because she wasn’t able to finish school
and the only way was showing it to her. Her daughter was able to learn how to
cut pineapples, removing its “eyes”, the right way by showing it to her
first-hand. Both of them live off from the money they earn from their pineapple
business. However, one day she saw how her daughter envy the kids who were
eating popsicles. Having little income from her business she wasn’t able to buy
her daughter what she wanted. And so, she came up with the idea of cutting the
pineapples the size of a popsicle, insert it with a popsicles stick and then
place it in a cooler full of ice to freeze it. That time she gave it to her
daughter as a substitute for the popsicles. Her daughter, being thankful and
contented to what her mother has given or provided her, ate it and then liked
it so much. And then thus came the idea. Because her daughter liked it so much
she suggested that they should sell it. So, she let her daughter sell the
pineapple popsicles to the locals. But then she was not able to sell even a
single pineapple popsicles. Feeling defeated and at loss her mother encouraged
her daughter to observe at a free market where she observed the surroundings.
She began to understand that to be able to sell a product you have to be clear
about its details, like, the name, price and what is the product. After
learning about these things she got back on her feet and restarted her
business. Soon after that her pineapple popsicles were bought and liked by the
locals which had helped them both in the future. Because of that idea her
daughter was able to finish a college degree and made her very proud. Through
that simple problem, of her not being able to eat popsicles, her mother was
able to provide a solution. Even though she had not expected it, what she did
was very brilliant. It was a simple innovation of fresh fruit turned into a
fruit popsicles. Random ideas can be very useful we will never know what it
might bring if we decided to venture onto business thinking that people will
find your product interesting. This goes to show that even the tiniest
innovation can make a big difference. However, if it not for her daughter’s
suggestion, idea and liking to the pineapple popsicles they wouldn’t have
thought of selling it. Because of that idea they were able to sell a new
product which became popular to the locals. Having a business mind and faith in
the product they were selling was a good trait. If don’t believe that your
product will be sold then don’t bother selling anything at all. You are also
saying that you don’t believe in yourself since you were the one who thought of
the product and since you don’t believe people will buy it then you are not
confident with yourself and capabilities. Having positive traits and trust with
what you can do even when others don’t is one of the things that you will find
in other great and successful people.
But,
as we all know every success story came from an unfortunate beginnings. We
encounter difficulties and struggles, and sometimes the will to carry on is the
only things that keeps us going. So, her daughter faced a dilemma on how to
successfully sell their product and how to make the locals interested. Having
the will to try again and give it another go she was able to learn how things
run in the market. She saw that people place a name for their product. Product
names should be very catchy so that consumers will be interested with what your
true product is. Curiosity sometimes bring consumers to you willingly so giving
your product a great name can be a very good start. People sometimes place a
tagline to their products. It will be the distinguishing factor especially when
there is a lot of competition. Having a good tagline can lead people to your
product because they will be inspired to try it knowing you have a different
view to it. Placing the right price can also be a special factor to be
observed. If there is a lot of competition you have to know how to tip the
scales so that people will buy your product instead of theirs. By giving the
right amount and not overpricing your product people would be more than willing
to buy and continue to buy your product. If giving it a very low price and you
can still gain an income then that’s good. But, if not then give it the right
price but also place an extra which will not be too much and can be enough to
help you easily get a return of investment.
With
the help of her mother giving an advice and idea of observing the market and
how they run things. She was able to understand how people are lured into
buying products. And so by understanding the basics of selling a product she
took another leap of faith and began selling her product again. We all know the
saying try and try until you succeed and that’s what she did. She tried again
and that second shot she was able to achieve her goal. It’s amazing when people
don’t give up and are still giving things a second chance. That just shows that
she thinks that their product is viable. This goes to show that if at first you
don’t succeed try again, if you can’t succeed the second time there’s always a
third time and just keep the fire burning. If you lose hope easily, loss and
competition will eat your dreams which will hinder your plans for success. And
thus, if you make a mistake note it so you won’t do it again, learn from it and
understand why it happened. Learning and understanding from your own mistake
will make you see things differently because you already know how to get pass
through it if you ever face the same problems. But always remember that it’s not
bad to make mistakes, the bad things is not learning from your previous
mistakes. Every successful person in the planet made a grave mistake one way or
another but the second time around they were able to outsmart it. So you just
need to take a leap of faith and have a strong will so that you won’t easily
give up especially when the going gets tough. Her mother didn’t just teach her
daughter how to sell a product but also she was able to teach her how to become
independent and learn things her own way. By doing so, she was able to make her
daughter understand that she should be able to stand strong even on her own to
be able to face greater problems in the future without always asking too much
help. When you became independent you’ll be able to stand firm in what you
believe in. You have trust in yourself that you’ll be able to achieve you
goals. That you have a positive outlook in life. And if you have that kind of
thinking, even when in the middle of a very hard obstacle you will be able to
surpass it. A mountain will just be considered as a little hindrance. The
product became popular and people began to recognize their pineapple popsicles.
Her daughter was able to sell the products and earn money. She was able to earn
through her efforts and hard work. Because of what she learned and applied she didn’t
just earn money but also knowledge and learning. Life can really give the
greatest lessons may it be through an easy way or may it be the hard way. But
either way how you handle things and accept things will always depend on you.
If you let life’s challenge drag you down and push you to the dark or make it
your mark to set as checkpoint towards a greater tomorrow.
Life filled with difficulty, when won is worth a
lifetime, however when one doesn’t know how treasure such, won’t live to it to
his lifetime. Even when you come out victorious it won’t last unless you
continue to work hard and strive hard. Life progresses and continuously moves
forward, and stakes became higher and higher more than ever. If you don’t rise
to the competition you’ll be left and defeated in the race. You need to always
have something new, something enticing to everyone and something that will mark
as your brand so that people will continue to choose you rather than others
with the same product. If you Dream
of something, Believe that you will
be able to get it but Act first so
that you will be able to Achieve
what you have always wanted. Your passion will lead you right to the place
where you’ll be able to be your everything. If you like to do something then
there’s no doubt that you will enjoy everything even if there are downs but you
will find everything relaxing once you’ve done everything. You won’t second
guess everything since you knew what to do and what you want knowing that it’s
your tempo. You lead the way and continue to keep moving forward since only
then you will continue to find success. There will never be an end to this
success but also keep in mind that to achieve success you have to explore more
and add something more to spice things up. One way or another your products
will become old or some might copy it especially when it is selling big time. Even
when you are the original there might be something better. So, never just be
contented, when you achieved success you don’t just strive, you have to strive
harder, more than ever. Competition won’t wait for you to get back on your feet
and have a retribution, instead, it will keep you down when you can’t learn how
to get back up, fast. Find something new, distinguished and special.
There was this video where Simon Sinek spoke “How
great leaders inspire action”. When you sell a product you need to start from
why, then how and finally what.
Why?
Why they do it?
How? How
they do it?
What? What
they do?
Why, how and what are the three examples that will help you define your
product. It will make things much easier for you to sell if you can define
those three. However, you have to start from why. Why did you do or start something
like that? As what happened the mother, she did it to feed her daughter
something which is close to the popsicles she envy. Next is how, How did she do
it? She chopped the pineapple the same shape as the popsicles and then inserted
a popsicles stick in the middle and store it in an ice filled cooler. Lastly is
what, what did she do? It was a Fruit or to be specific, it was a Snow Cold Pineapple
Popsicles made from freshly cut pineapples placed inside an ice filled cooler. That
is how to effectively sell a product. You have to know, what is the reason behind
the start of that innovation? as what Simon said, “People will be inspired
because of your belief”. Most people are buying products because of its cause. So,
you have to start with why. And then, you go to how, how to start that
innovation. There goes the process on how to it, or the steps that will enable
you to do it. If you are able to define it then go to what. What is your
product? Knowing what your product will distinguish you from everybody else. Provide
a concrete identity to your product so that people will know or recognize you
immediately. So you have to keep in mind that defining these will help you in
the future.
Other people don’t give importance in teaching
others how to be independent. Especially in our times some take advantage of
the fact that majority of the people around the globe are being dependent to
others. Instead of starting on their own, they ended up waiting for people that
will stand up for them. And that is the awful truth. But, in this video what
they have shown was different. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day;
teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”, this saying is what her
mother has applied. She never spoon fed the information to her daughter,
instead, she just gave her an idea and let her learn on her own. She has always
hoped that her daughter will be independent and so if she’s not in the world
anymore her daughter will be able to find a way. A mother thinking like this is
very amazing knowing that she wished the best for her daughter. Letting her
learn from different things and experiencing how things go in the world. The
world can be cruel, hard and has a lot of challenges but teaching someone to be
independent and not expect anything from anyone can be the best practice
especially when you are pursuing your dreams. You have to instill in your mind
that you can’t always count on others because the road to your dreams is your
path to walk alone. They might come to help but in the end it’s just you and
your dreams so you need to learn how to be independent.
According
to Judd and Lancer, the following are
ways on how to become more autonomous: The following are the 6 ways that will
help someone become Independent.
1. Get to know yourself.
“You
can’t be independent if you don’t know who you are,” Lancer said. To
get to know yourself, she suggested journaling and reflecting on what happened
during your day.
Ask yourself: “Did I speak my
truth?” “Notice the gap between what you’re feeling inside and your words and
behavior, which you show to the world.” For instance, maybe you said yes to
something you really didn’t want to do, Lancer said. What can you learn from
that experience?
If you don’t know yourself you won’t know what are your
capabilities and limitations. You won’t be able to see the possible you. Sometimes
learning about yourself can change a lot of things. However, learning about
yourself can also open things that you are hiding ‘may it be your dark side,
weak side or your soft spot. But, all you have to do is to embrace yourself.
People doesn’t always accept themselves that’s why they are acting according to
what others like or not. So, they are not living a happy life seeing as they
are hiding their true self from everyone. Being yourself can bring out the best
in you and also the people around you. Some might not agree but just don’t mind
them and move forward. But, even so you also have to listen to others and never
ever let success get into your head. You just have to balance everything and
know the right values so that you will be able to distinguish what is right
from wrong, and what is good and evil. Because there is always a silver lining
in everything and sometimes that silver lining will help you to get through
life.
2. Challenge
your beliefs and assumptions.
Observe
your beliefs, and be willing to question them, Judd said.
“Often our opinions are so habitual that we don’t even stop to see if they
reflect what we really feel: kneejerk responses simply reaffirming the past.”
Often these perspectives also are
shaped by our external environments and the people around us. Re-evaluating our
perceptions of ourselves and the world is key for growth, she said. “…Without
change, there can be no evolution.”
We should not
stick to our own beliefs and assumptions because sometimes what we believed in
is broken or unfair. Sometimes what is right in our eyes can be wrong for the
many. You just have to keep your eyes, ears and mind open to any suggestions,
criticism and opinions. Because listening to suggestions and opinions can
definitely help us in the future. It is especially helpful when venturing into
business however you have to know where to stand. Always weigh things and think
thoroughly so that you won’t be biased especially in your beliefs. Because
sometimes what you believed in can be the wall that’s hindering you from your
true success, so be open-minded. You just need to get a clear shot on
everything, so read, do some researches, continue learning but also live life
so you will know the difference between theory and real life situations.
3.
Become assertive.
Becoming
assertive is a powerful way to improve your life and boost your self-esteem,
which in turn helps you become autonomous, said Lancer, also author of the
e-books How To
Speak Your Mind: Become Assertive and Set Limits and 10 Steps to Self-Esteem: The Ultimate Guide to Stop
Self-Criticism.
Assertiveness
is a skill you can practice. It means setting healthy boundaries, learning to say
no and being clear about your needs and feelings.
It
means respecting yourself and respecting others. According to psychologist
Randy Paterson, Ph.D, in The Assertiveness Workbook:
Through
assertiveness we develop contact with ourselves and with others. We become real
human beings with real ideas, real differences … and real flaws. And we admit
all of these things. We don’t try to become someone else’s mirror. We don’t try
to suppress someone else’s uniqueness. We don’t try to pretend that we’re
perfect. We become ourselves. We allow ourselves to be there.
Some
are over-confident. Some can be so aggressive. Some can be too shy. Some can be
so secretive. You? You need to be assertive. Be confident but don’t ever be so
pushy. Stand firm but never step on others. You just have to be confident and
know where to stand. Don’t let emotions get the best of you just face the crowd
not being too aggressive but bold enough that people are listening to you. Balance
the confidence and aggressiveness. You don’t really have to be aggressive to
make people look upon you, or to listen to you. Just be YOU – YOU and your
complete confident self. Be there when others cannot and when others will not
or when others could not. Accept each other’s differences and capabilities, and
specialty because everyone is unique and special in our own different ways. Never
ever overshadow anyone. If you really are you then people will see it more clearly
than ever and accept you for showing the YOU that you’ve always hidden. Sometimes
shedding that outer cover san help in finding ways on how to become accepting
with others. If other can’t be able to do it then start from yourself so that
they will start following your example. Be a leader that is not afraid in
showing who you really are, because sometimes the thing we call as vulnerability
can be the best shield to those heavily guarded and thick-skinned people.
4.
Start making your own decisions.
One way to ease into making your
own decisions is by determining how you’d like to spend your day, Lancer said.
Ask yourself: “What do I want to do?” Consider your personal passions and
hobbies, she said.
Of course as
we grow old we start making our own decisions. Even in our daily lives we are
already deciding. So, learn from your day to day experiences. Observe how a
simple decision can tip the balance between which is beneficial and which is
not. Life is full of choices. When someone says that life doesn’t give you a
choice? Well, that someone is so wrong. That someone has chosen not to have a
choice that’s why they ended up blaming life for choosing things for them. By
acting on something goes to show that you really have a choice. You have chosen
to step up and dream. And, by dreaming you have chosen the path to where it
leads and choices doesn’t end there because life is always a two-way road and
sometimes it can be more. You just have to think of the right choice. Sometimes
we can’t choose the right one but after that choice you will be given another
shot in choosing the right one, the second shot. If you think that life has ended then you have
chosen to be miserable and let defeat eat you up. However if you choose to
stand up on your feet and prep up for the next battle then you have chosen to
become victorious. Sometimes choices can change your life upside down so you
have to choose wisely and brightly so that you won’t have any regrets in life. You
will only regret things when you choose something beyond reason and which is
right. So be smart but decide things fast because life doesn’t wait for
anybody.
5. Meet your needs.
People in codependent relationships
are great at meeting others’ needs but usually ignore their own, Lancer said.
Everyone has a range of needs, such as emotional, social, physical and
spiritual needs.
Identify your needs and discover
ways to meet them, Lancer said. For instance, if you notice you’re feeling
lonely, respond to that need by reaching out and planning dinner with a close
friend. “This is becoming self-responsible.”
You have to
pay attention to your needs. Don’t wait for future to make you realize what you
have forbid yourself or the things you left out because of prioritizing others
over yourself. Provide yourself the things you need. Live a fulfilled life. Explore
things, discover things, talk to people, and surround yourself with people who
make you see you, take a break, fill your hunger may it be friends, relationship
with family and even to God. You have to observe not just others but also
yourself. Take care of yourself so that you can also take care of others. It is
one-way of being able to stand up on your own, by providing things for
yourself. Get a strong grip of everything you need so that you won’t lack
anything when you have practically started giving something to others. You have
to start from yourself and expand it to the people around you. Be a sample, a
great example.
6.
Learn to soothe yourself.
Give yourself permission to
acknowledge and feel your feelings. As Lancer said, instead of thinking, “’I
shouldn’t feel this way’” or ignoring your feelings, be a good parent to
yourself and comfort yourself. Take time to figure out what calms and supports
you and makes you happy.
Again, becoming more autonomous
means living by “your own internal guidance system,” rather than external
systems, Lancer said. And it’s key to fulfillment. “We can never feel fulfilled
by following someone else’s dreams: independent living is the only way to find
true satisfaction,” Judd said.
You have to
feel what you need to feel. Find things that would make you happy. If you are
sad seek for the things that will remove the sadness. If you find yourself
lonely, then look for someone to be there for you. If you are in pain look for
something to ease the pain you are feeling. Take a look at yourself so that
when you are facing the bigger things you will be able to provide yourself with
comfort. Knowing everything about yourself will help you in curing something inevitable
in life. And, in doing so you won’t resort to suicidal things. Instead, you
will look for the things that you have already put into your mind, the thing
that will get you through the day. Ease yourself from anything that might
hinder your journey in life.
We
have different ways on how to become independent. While the daughter was taught
by her mother how, some are not that fortunate. Some are learning it on their
own however, those that are not fortunate enough learn it the hardest way possible.
If you still have your parents with you cherish them and make use of all the
learnings they have shared to you. Don’t think ill of the things they are
trying to correct. You might find it irritating and you think that they are
interfering with your life but what they have always wanted is what they think
is best for you. Just listen to what they say and just be open, keep it as an
option because sometimes what you haven’t thought was what they were thinking
all along, you will never know what tomorrow may bring. And always keep in mind
that while you are still learning they have already learned from it. What you
face now they have faced it before. Listen don’t just hear, See don’t just look
and Feel don’t just touch, because going deeper and deeper into your heart and
mind will help you in seeing things differently. Just embrace everything and
think that if not now what they are telling you might help you in the future as
you venture into the world.
The
video doesn’t just show how to become an effective entrepreneur and how to use
and expand your ideas effectively. But, it shows the right values and attitude
towards the hardships of life. You can learn how to overcome failure. How to
face another challenge given by life. It shows how to run things especially
when there are a lot of competition. Their actions are showing how life can be
so different yet still the same for everyone. And, it also shows how life can
be so ironic in so many different ways, in so many different times and in so
many different implications. How people undergo the same dilemma every single day
and how they have the same ways in overcoming such or the same victory over the
same problems. This just shows that even when people live in different places,
times, being in different situations, somehow, life has its ways in giving us
fair treatment. In some ways we can tell that life is unfair but I can say that
“no”, life is fair because it is unfair to everybody and thus saying life is
unfair is so wrong in so many different ways. We might have different lives but
we have something in common. Life is giving us a lot of challenges, problems,
dilemmas, obstacles, competition but above all these life has given us lessons,
knowledge, learnings, maturity and that we develop into better persons more
than ever. We are becoming someone we were just dreaming before. Now we are the
adults of the future because of everything that we have faced and conquered all
throughout our lives. And, the children of today, in any way possible, will be
the next leaders of the future. We just have to guide them like how we are
being guided by the adults of yesterday who have lead us to become who we are
today.
Source:
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/01/08/6-ways-to-become-more-independent-less-codependent/
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_life.html#7bgTcoBF7Y1YEWjs.99
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_business.html#9WKORJVsvmszUe4X.99
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