Traits for Building a Successful Business
There are many traits for building a successful business that an individual or group must have or acquire.
Some of these traits are common to most folks who start a business. These may include traits such as attention to detail, extroversion, desire to succeed, and so on.
There are also traits that are not so common. One such being a thick-skinned, sometimes referred to as callous, insensitive or seasoned. Though some of these synonyms sound negative being thick-skinned is a very positive and important trait to have as a business owner.
Being thick-skinned does not mean you are a mean curmudgeon or otherwise a nasty person. in fact just the opposite. t means you understand, typically from experience, and are able to let criticism roll off.
Right - that is the bottom line - when you are think-skinned you are not offended by criticism.
Thick-skinned = Invaluable
I've been in business for over 20 years and if there were one trait, value, moral or skill that I had to chose to keep going forward I would choose being thick-skinned.
Why - because there is no way, NO WAY, to be successful in business when criticism controls you. Your ship has already sunk before it left the dock.
You must have a thick-skin to be in, build and maintain a business.
Why - because business is not a happy go lucky Disneyland environment. It can be a great place if you are prepared - by being thick-skinned.
Online Business
Having an online business is truly different than a brick and mortar business in many ways.
Some of the obvious ways are that fact that you never see your customers face to face, overhead expenses are profoundly lower, getting visitors into your store is not as easy and so on.
Even owning an online business being thick-skinned is crucial to the survival of your business.
Nasty emails from unhappy customers, rude onsite comments, rejection from affiliate programs and so on will all be part of your operation. You must be capable of handling these things and not let them get in your way or knock you off your heading to success.
We've seen this at WA on occasion.
Yes we have. And ugliness raises it's evil head every now and again even in our close to perfect community at WA.
We are an amazingly diverse community that spans the globe. We participate because we want to - for what ever the reason. We have different cultures, languages, geographical barriers and so on.
Given this diversity it is normal and expected that at times there will be disagreements that raise to folks acting, doing and saying things that are not really in their nature.
Most of the time these issues are worked out or the fires put out and we all get to learn from what happened.
Is there a way to minimize these issues - 100% yes! By being thick-skinned.
Thick-skinned and being offended (or not)
I never get offended by anything unless I let myself be offended. It's not always a conscious choice but it is a choice and it is me that owns it.
You can call me any name, swear to my God, pass judgment on me, ridicule me an so on.
Guess what I will do - I will move on knowing that I am the better person for doing so. I will assess what was said an may change if it is warranted. I will not be offended because I choose not to be and because it will only take me from my goals and waste my time.
This is being thick-skinned and it is very very important in business and as you've seen in the past it is even important in our WA community.
Just remember the next time you are offended by what someone says or does that YOU are choosing to let yourself be offended and that choice is fully and completely under your control.
I am thick-skinned, are you? Do you have a story to share about being thick-skinned, thin-skinned or about traits for building a successful business? If you do please share - don't worry you won't offend me.
ROCK ON!
E
Recent Comments
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Wow! That article took me back 15 years.That's when I wrote a very similar article. I just dug it out of my files and posted it here with a modest change (my WA affiliate link)I would love to hear your feedback.
http://myroadtoonlineincome.com/do-you-have-what-it-takes
to be an entrepreneur
Hey that is a great article John! I was going to do a few more blogs covering some of the items you expressed in your article. You have it covered very well - maybe you should do the blogs. lol
Business is tough and though everyone here at WA is nice and it's peaceful (for the most part) there are some real grade A holes out there and some of them are even the customer - who is not always right by the way.
I used to take everything to heart and that is what started me off and fast tracked my career in business. The problem is taking things to heart and having a thin skin are of low value in business once you reach a certain level. It's cut throat - I often wonder after seeing what some people did how they actually sleep at night.
I know I have what it takes and I am glad I do.
ROCK ON!
E
I had a carving and art business for 15 years and it was one of the most difficult times in my life. EVERYONE in my little town in the mountains tried to lowball me and, sad to say, I gave in most of the time because there was only so much business to go around. I think I am basically thin skinned, which is why the relative anonymity of an online business appeals to me. I'm having trouble committing to a niche at the moment because there are so many mediums that I love and love to do in the art world. Typical newbie fears. At any rate, thank you, Eric, for bringing it up.
No problem Billy - sorry to hear you had such a time with your customers. It's funny in away - we had a garage sale (I hate them) and folks were griping and negotiating things (expensive things) that we priced for 25 or 50 cents.
Did you ever think of making a site that covers any type of art? this could cover all your passions and still work if implemented well. Some names could be:
artwithbillyadams
artdiversity
morethanoneshade
and so on
ROCK ON!
E
I did my first website w/WA on pen & ink art and illustration but felt so unmotivated by it that I haven't even done the About Me page yet. Pen and Ink was really good to me...kept me alive for a long time...but when I graduated to color and then sculpture I never looked back. My girlfriend recommended that I start with a medium I could make money with right now and branch out from there but that just makes me depressed! YOUR suggestions, on the other hand, totally enthuse me and I'm going to do something about it starting today. Didn't know you were so influential, did you?! Maybe I just needed permission to be who I really am. I just don't want to get too locked in to one medium because that ends up being all the clients want. I also really want to write, I want a blog and at least one book. All these "wants", however, with a full-time job, are pretty overwhelming. I NEED to go through the Affiliate Bootcamp too, to learn marketing. But, thank you Brother, for your excellent suggestions...implementation LIFTOFF.
So how are you doing? I imagine it's hard to sit and type for too long and I cringe at the thought of the neck brace. I have asthma and would probably be ready to kill after a few days. Want me to send you my access to some incredible meditation? Painkillers only take you so far, Bro...thick skinned or not!!
Thank you Billy for the kind words. I am happy to hear you have interest again - I look forward to seeing your site - and being a member if you add an email update thingy. (yes thingy is a word because I spelled it)
As for pain and discomfort - yep that's me - for months to go. I do what I can to get by. You all (the WA community) are a great healing tool for me too. I thank you all!
The pain killers are BS and I rarely take them - they are narcotics - not good and make me feel really funky. This coming from a guy that has been in rock bands and opened for national acts. I just blew the myth of the rock star - oops. No sex drugs only rock and roll and the occasional frosty cold one (or six) lol.
Let me know when you have your new site up and running Billy and always -ALWAYS be yourself.
ROCK ON!
E
Great advice-and we should apply! This can definitely make one a better business person!
Sami
Thank you for your post .... and you are right the choice is always yours .... you chose to be or not to be ... everything is under your control ... cheers .. Michel ... :0)
The world would be a much better place if people stopped being offended.
Thanks Michel
ROCK ON!
E
I really like this and think you are so right when you say it is your choice to take offense or not. Most of the time I don't, especially here, since I think people are just trying to help. Also, at least with an online business people won't throw things at you!
lol - but if they were to throw things at you is beyond being thick-skinned and more basic in human nature - here you enter flight or fight.
You cannot hurt me unless I let you Nancy. I hope it works the same for you in reverse. If course.
It's more than attitude Nemira. I will say there is attitude adjustment involved but becoming thick-skinned if you're not already is not an easy process and takes time.
Well that's not a bad thing at all Nemira - you're already half way there.
I was always somewhat thick-skinned but after a near death experience I became fully thick-skinned.
The difference from before to after the experience is I finally realized what matters and what doesn't. And that I control my own feelings.
-eric
People became more spiritually advanced after situations as yours. I wonder how it can be compatible with thick skinned? Maybe for everybody is a different case:) wish you speed recovery:)
I'm guessing it is the same but different if that makes any sense.
Thank you for the pleasant wish too.
E
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Great read Eric, thanks for the reminder, it will be something I think of next time it happens. Cheers
Thanks Paul!
ROCK ON!
E