Freud and the Small Business Owner

March 16th, 2012 by No comments »

Excerpted from Freud and the Small Business Owner on Amazon Shorts

Freudian Clips…

In 1923 Sigmund Freud authored a paper called The Ego and the Id, which is an analytical study of the human psyche. Called the Structural Theory, this theory categorizes psychological conditions into three divisions: the Id, the Super-Ego, and the Ego. The Id is best thought of as a newborn child driven by instinctive drives and impulses and seeks instant gratification. The Super-Ego is the multiplicative inverse of the Id, representing a “father figure” and a moral compass. The Ego serves as the mediator between the Id and the Super-Ego and takes into account external factors to derive a clear view of reality. The theory has spurred much discussion in the scientific community, but the concept is firmly seated in college psychology classes as a higher-education staple.

Whether or not Freud nailed it with the Structural Theory is open to some debate (one which I’ll let bigger brains than mine ponder!) but virtually all of us can relate to these three personas and know someone who fits each of these profiles. The Id-like person throws caution to the wind, takes risks without thinking through implications, and allows the dreamer in him to lead his actions. The Super-Ego-like person is highly risk-averse, needs to have near-perfect information before making a decision, and never, ever, swims until at least 30 minutes after eating. The Ego-like person has drive and is willing to take risks, but seeks to understand situations enough to take calculated risks as opposed to foolish risks.

While reading this, you may have thought of a friend or family member who fits into each of the above categories. You may have also slotted yourself as being predominantly Id, Super-Ego, or Ego-like. It also may be situational to where you are more Id-like in certain situations while you are more Super-Ego-like in others. As this specifically applies to starting and running your own small business, it is vitally important that you identify whether you are more Id, Super-Ego, or Ego-like and that you balance who you are with others who fit into the other categories; thus the following maxim:

Small businesses need a blend of Id, Ego, and Super-Ego personas to be successful.

So as it relates to you, are you more of an Id that throws caution to the wind without thinking about implications? Or are you more like the risk-averse Super-Ego who needs perfect information to make a decision? Or are you more of a middle-of-the-road Ego who is willing to take calculated risks and knows how to balance risk and reward? Then again, maybe you’re not sure. If you’d like a better perspective on where you fall in the small business owner spectrum, check out this Amazon Short.

Live Long and Prosper, With the Best Business Opportunities

January 9th, 2012 by No comments »

Be Healthy, Be Wealthy and Survive Imminent Changes

Spock of Star Trek fame, may have been predominantly left brained and positively thrived in his world; but in the world of network marketing at the start of the 21st Century we need to have a balance between both sides of the brain.

To think logically (left brained) and follow previous carefully laid plans and procedures is no longer enough to guarantee success in the network marketing industry. Times are changing rapidly with the onset of new technology and forms of communication. We need to start thinking ‘out of the box’ to go with our thoughts ‘where no man has gone before’.

We need to utilize the creative potential within us, to generate full useage of our right brain. Unleash the creativity in us, become a unique entrepreneur, ‘see’ ahead to future changes and demands in the business world and be able to meet them full on.

The design of our ‘brand’, projected to the world, and portrayed as an image of ourselves that represents us as being of pioneer spirit. We all need to find ways of enhancing our uniqueness. A difficult task maybe, as there are trusted and proven methods to succeed in this business. However, a lot of these methods are fast becoming out of date.

Mention network marketing to most people and you will be met with negative comments. This mode of thinking needs to be challenged full on, as it is fast becoming a ridiculous way to perceive such an effective form of generating income. I believe that we are set to see in the not too distant future, a vast influx of newcomers to the industry. They will appear either through genuine interest or as a result of desperation due to nothing else being available out there for them. Either way, if we are already established in the industry, then we are prepared and ready, to receive them all.

People’s attitudes are beginning to change with respect to health, career options, ecology etc; and as such many no longer automatically believe what the ‘experts’ in these particular fields tell us is best for us, and society at large. Rather than accepting blindly everything we are told, we tend to investigate further and make up our own minds. In doing so, we are becoming more independent and self sufficient individuals. For a growing amount of people, relying on an employer or the state to support us financially, is an option that does not resonate well. Many more today, are seeking to take control of their own affairs.

Society has always been changing, but it has excellerated into fast change. We need to be part of that change if we are not left behind. The powers that be will want to retain their power, and to do that they need followers, believers, conformists, not activists and anarchists.

To make effective changes in our lives and well-being we need to constantly be one step ahead or at least to be aware of all current innovations to survive the first quarter of the 21st century and to leave a legacy that our children and grandchildren can benefit from. What immediately comes to mind is a pollution free world, a safe world and a lasting world.

However, like everything else in today’s society, it needs money, and if we have a lack of it as an individual, then we have a lack of choices. This brings us lack of power and lack of control in our lives, both in finance and in health. We need, therefore to find a way of generating adequate income in the long run to sustain us in quality lifestyles and optimum health. Will we get that through being an employee alone? The answer must be no. To have a secondary source of income initially, that we may later choose to be our sole income, is a desired solution. However we need to find it!

I believe I have found it. You may have done too, if you are reading these words. There are perfect business opportunities out there for you, those that meet your personal criteria. What is best for me, may not be what is best for you. However, to know that, you need to investigate further.

How The Brain Learns

January 16th, 2012 by No comments »

Do you remember when you moved the furniture in your room? Do you remember how you kinda bumped into everything a couple of times and then figured it out. The funny thing is that it took you two to three turns of bumping into things in the dark, before you worked out things had changed.

And the brain learned. Through repetition.

But remember when you put your finger into a candle flame and got burned? You never ever did that again, did you? The brain learned a lesson very, very quickly. You didn’t need a second turn to figure out the danger.

In effect, the brain learns through:

1) Repetition

2) Extreme danger

Since your business isn’t in extreme danger all day, through out the year, the chances are your brain isn’t learning as much as it possibly could. Which is why it’s important to use the concept of repetition. Take one concept that you learn in business and repeat it time and time again. For example: Referrals. Ask for referrals every single day, in every single way. And mark a tick if you succeed. Mark a cross if you fail. In under ten days, referrals will become part of your system. And you’ll never forget it.