Guest Post by Matthew Crowe.

If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning. – Mahatma Gandhi

Most successful entrepreneurs gravitate toward working on themselves.  Reading personal development books, exercising regularly, eating healthy, having mentors, attending seminars, meditating, and so on. Why? I guess a whole host of reasons.  But as a student of life myself, I would say that we should always be striving for excellence, which takes continual and deliberate practice.

Now, more than ever, we have the tools at our disposal via the internet, books, videos, etc. on how to become highly successful in life from many legends such as Napoleon Hill, Anthony Robbins, Jim Rohn, and Earl Nightingale, to name a few. These giants have shown us that anything is possible.  Absolutely anything. Upbringing and social status no longer matter.  Education, looks, and your last name don’t have the same clout as they may have 100 years ago, and the New Rich of today are in all different shapes and forms.  All that being said, there is one thing that is for certain: they all had a strong belief system in tact that we can all learn valuable lessons from.

For someone like myself who didn’t come from blue blood, a trust fund, or given anything on a silver spoon, I appreciate what it takes to work your ass off with constant self-improvement, dedication, perseverance, and belief to achieve your goals and dreams. However, until we understand how our brains operate it’s hard for us to put into practice methodologies to release us from the shackles that hold us back from our true potential. 

Pushing through our limiting beliefs, learning how to let our belief system propel us to levels we never thought humanly possible, and understanding that what we think about the most is who we become are just a few of the fundamental pillars of not letting your limiting beliefs hold you back.

Many of my limiting beliefs were instilled in me at a very young age.  Maybe it was when I was a young boy and my parental conditioning (or lack thereof) had a large impact, maybe the influence of my social circles during my teenage years? Who knows? Whatever it was, those beliefs held me back for many years from my true potential. Whatever it may be for you, we all have had something.  So the real question is how did I start to move past those improper beliefs that were limiting me from my true potential within, and how can you put those same principles into practice?

1. Rituals:

Create simple rituals of consistent ways to implement the beliefs you would like to have. 

2. Repetition:

Continual repetition over and over and over and over until you start believing what it is you would like to believe.  Once you start believing that new belief, keep doing it over, and over, and over, and over, and over again some more.

3. Reprogramming:

Without going into too much detail about how we operate from a psychological level, our brains are very similar to the motherboard of a computer.  Information and experiences can be stored, processed, and deleted. However, everything we do can also be reprogrammed to work more efficiently, quickly, and effectively. 

“Reprogramming” your brain with the information you would like to have in it will get rid of what’s in there that you don’t want.

Nobody is perfect, especially not myself.  However, we all have the tools at our fingertips to plow through our limiting beliefs and achieve ANY and I mean ANY goal we want. These are just a few helpful tips, and the day you decide to not let your beliefs hold you back will be a momentous turning point in your life.

• • •

Matt is the Founder and Chairman of Huckleberry, a Minneapolis, MN venture capital firm with a unique focus on Crowdsourcing and “building companies.” He writes regularly at matt’s blog – business and philosophy, is a columnist for Real Business Magazine, is the author of the book Winners Persevere, and hosts an online talk radio show called The Matt Crowe Show.

You’re an entrepreneur.  You work from home.  This is what you have always wanted to do.  The trouble is, you are lonely and find it hard to sit down and focus on your work.  You want to talk to people about your business, but no one seems to care to listen.  You try to get off your butt and do stuff, but you are reluctant because of your down feelings.

What do you do?

Well you have several options.

1. Give it up. The simple answer.  It was fun being an entrepreneur, but you need to be told what to do in an office with your boss and co-workers around you.  It may sound hard to believe, but these people add a presence to your daily life.  You look around, see others doing work and thereafter react by doing your own work.  You also have to do your work or else you get fired.
2. Set Targets. Act like your going into your office everyday.  At night or in the morning, set your to do list and goals for the day.  Have a meeting with yourself and go over what has to be done and what has been done.
3. Get Outside. Fresh air is a great feeling.  Sometimes your office gives you an overwhelming feeling.  Go for a walk, run, or play a sport.  Get your mind off work for a bit or think about how you are going to get back into the office after your run and do some effective work.
4. Get Online. You are an entrepreneur and their are many other entrepreneurs out there just like you.  Go to MeetUp.com and find local business/entrepreneurs groups.  Find forums that fit your interests.
5. Partner Up. Yes, you have to give up some of your business.  I know losing shares in your business may not be the most appealing thing, but you get someone to work with everyday.  You share decisions and can talk business.
6. Treat Yourself. This one is very important.  You devote all your time to your business and often forget about yourself.  Don’t forget that you are the one in charge.  You deserve something in return.  Whether it’s a day off or a gift, it’s a treat and it’s necessary!

This is straight out of the Investor’s Business Daily.  We had to share this with everyone.

They wrote: “Investor’s Business Daily has spent years analyzing leaders and successful people in all walks of life.  Most have 10 traits that, when combined can turn dreams into reality.” These 10 “secrets” are very insightful and make you think about everything.  Take a pen and write this list down.  Keep it as a reminder and checklist.

1) How You Think is Everything: Always be positive.  Think success, not failure.  Beware of negative environment.
If you think negative thoughts, you will get negative results.  If you think failure, you will fail.  Stay clear of negative people.  If someone is being negative; zone them out, move out of the conversation, and finally walk away.

2) Decide Upon Your True Dreams and Goals: write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.
It is very important to write down your goals, but how can you achieve them? Visualize yourself completing your goals and your dreams a reality.

3) Take Action: Goals are nothing without action. Don’t be afraid to get started.  Just do it.
Move out of your comfort zone.  You have your idea and your goal.  You know what you have to do.

4) Never Stop Learning: Go back to school or read books.  Get training and acquire skills.
There is always more out there.  We often underestimate the importance of school and books.  Be the best at what you do.

5) Be Persistent and Work Hard: Success is a marathon, not a sprint.  Never give up.
Don’t be out of shape.  Be prepared to give it your all.

6) Learn to Analyze Details: Get all the facts, all the input.  Learn from your mistakes.
Research, Research, Research.

7) Focus Your Time and Money: Don’t let other people or things distract you.
Get in your zen.  Don’t forget that it is YOUR time and YOUR money.

Don’t be Afraid to Innovate: Be Different: Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity.
Be the leader. Don’t let others make your decisions.  You make your own decisions.  What do you have, that others don’t?

9) Deal and Communicate with People Effectively: No person is an island.  Learn to understand and motivate others.
You are not the only one in this world.  You have to work with other people so do it well.

10) Be Honest and Dependable; Take Responsibility: Otherwise, Nos. 1-9 won’t matter.

The 10 secrets are out.  You decide what to do with them.  And remember, that this is a work in progress.