Millions of people dream of becoming financially independent. They no longer want to punch a timecard and work for someone else. They are tired of making someone else rich. They don’t want to be a victim to the “winds of change.” You are one of them. You want to be the master of your life and your destiny. Good for you!

The first step is one you do not want to rush through. Take inventory of yourself. Ask yourself the following questions: What am I good at? What do I truly dislike doing? What are my strengths/weaknesses? What do I believe in? What are the values I will not compromise? What is my “why”? Write down the answers to these questions. All of these questions will help you determine your course of action. This information will also help guide you to the type of business in which you will be most successful. There are many excellent resources on the internet to help you through this step.

The next task is to do a Vision Statement. Vision Statements are very important to your success. Your brain only knows what you put into it. It cannot tell real from false. “The dominating thoughts of your mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action and gradually transform themselves into physical reality .” This is done through the principle of autosuggestion. A very good resource on this principle is “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, Chapter IV.

Your vision statement will change and evolve over time but you want to start with a good vision statement. Like the other steps, you do not want to rush through writing your statement. Your first vision statement should be written for five years in the future. Describe, in detail, your relationships, lifestyle, wealth, health, charities and philanthropic activities, the person you have become. Write in the present tense – I love…I am … I give to…, I make…, etc. Your statement should be very specific. An example is “I am chairman of the committee to Make Detroit Beautiful.” You will read your vision statement twice a day – once in the morning when you first wake up and at night before you go to bed. It is to be read aloud. This will be strange to you at first but you will get used to it. Emotionalize your statement. “All thought which have been emotionalized (given feeling) and mixed with faith, begin immediately to translate themselves into their physical equivalent or counterpart.” (Napoleon Hill) Close your eyes. See you future, feel it, smell it, taste it, hold it. It is through this principle of autosuggestion that your vision will work it’s way into reality. Spend 20-30 minutes a day meditating on your vision.

This series of articles is going to provide you with guidance and insight to become a successful entrepreneur. We encourage you to read the information provided, glean from it what you will and do your own research. Everyone is different. We all learn differently and retain information differently. However, there are certain qualities, character traits, values, steps, etc., which are common to all successful entrepreneurs. Laying a strong foundation for success is critical. Creating your Vision Statement is the second step in becoming successful. In our next article, we will talk about goal setting.

Looking to find the best information how to become a successful entrepreneur? Find the best advice on choosing a business for you.