“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” –Abraham Lincoln
As the Small Business Specialist/Coach at SIPA, I work with clients aspiring to be entrepreneurs. They come to us with bold ideas, a passion to bring a unique product/service to market, and a strong determination to succeed. Additionally, as a Holistic Health Coach, I see individuals who want to lose weight, reverse effects of a chronic illness, or simply find a better work-life balance. In both situations, clients come to me with dreams. They dream of a better way to make money, a better version of themselves, or a better life.
At the beginning of every year, we set goals and renew our motivation to make healthy lifestyle changes. Many of us write these goals down, and some even go as far as putting up elaborate vision boards. But how many of us actually follow through on these goals to lead the lives we want? How do we stay committed to these goals when obstacles become overwhelming?
Whether you are interested in starting a business, new career, or making changes in your lifestyle or health, here are some tips to help you make your dreams a reality:
1. Believe in your own ability to succeed. Self-doubt is the #1 killer of dreams. I have met with clients whose goals never materialize because they are too stuck in their own head. They make up stories or excuses that get between them and their dreams. They suffer from analysis paralysis, or the many “What If” scenarios that prevent them from launching. Here’s the thing — if you cannot believe in yourself, who will? If this is an area to work on, invest in your personal development. Read books that help you uncover your natural abilities, like Strengths Finder by Tom Rath.
2. Have a clear vision and roadmap. Much like a GPS navigation device needs a starting point and a destination, you must have a final goal (destination) in mind. Your vision must be clear and concise. It will guide you and it will give you your turn-by-turn directions. Take one of our SIPA business clients who wanted to start a coffee shop. She attended our Boot Camp two years ago, developed a clear vision for her business, and then quickly identified a gap. She lacked experience in the industry so she sought employment at another coffee shop and in 18 months, she learned what she needed. Construction of her coffeeshop is now underway and she expects to open by January 2015. Want to work on your vision right now? Take a blank piece of paper and write down your answer to these questions:
– What does my life/business/career look like in 5 years?
– What can I do in the next 3 years/1 year/6 months to align/bring me closer to this vision?
– What obstacles might I encounter that would prevent me from pursuing this vision?
3. Share your goals and be accountable to them. The moment you verbalize your goals with others, something magical happens. Suddenly, you feel the responsibility to act and follow through. It is rooted in integrity – the need to deliver on a promise. I realize it can sometimes feel uncomfortable to share goals. This is why you must do it with people you trust and you know will support you. If no one fits this category, then find a like-minded community. Join an Entrepreneur meet-up group or a Fitness community for health goals.
Interested in starting a business?
Entrepreneurship is a familiar concept to Filipinos. We see it as an avenue to improve one’s life and build wealth. As a kid, I remember my Lola’s sari-sari store in the front portion of her house and my mom’s numerous ventures in life insurance, artisanal foods like atsara, and real estate. While natural to us, entrepreneurship is sometimes frowned upon in our community, partly cultural (owning a business is viewed by some as the last alternative to not having a “real” job,) but also because of the inherent risk and cost involved in starting a business.
This is why services from Small Business Development Programs, like that at SIPA, can be a real lifeline to those who want to become entrepreneurs. We provide most services, such as individual coaching and workshops, at no cost. Our Entrepreneurial Training Program or Small Business Boot Camp costs only $40 and covers foundation courses such as Legal Entity Formation, Labor Issues, Marketing, and Sales, all taught by industry experts. At the end of the course, students will have completed a business plan, the blueprint for their endeavor. Our workshops also connect participants to lenders and many other resources that support the startup and growth phases of a business.
Want to learn more about our Small Business Program? Contact Anna Marie Cruz at [email protected] or (213) 382-1819 ext. 125.
About SIPA: For the last 15 years, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) has provided technical assistance to over 200 small business clients, including The Park’s Finest and Jack’s Lechon. Historically, the program supported home-based child care services, but has evolved over time to serve clients in an array of industries, including restaurants, retail stores, and import/export trade.
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Anna Marie Cruz has an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, where she studied Marketing & Social Entrepreneurship. She is also a Certified Holistic Health Coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.