Business Attitude

When it comes to doing business, we often hear the word "aptitude", which refers to the talent and propensity for achieving business success. Well, certainly it helps a great deal when you have a natural flair for managing people, predicting market trends, or are skilled in import and export matters. Some people just seem to have a better "head for business, as they say.

But what's equally crucial, if not more important than "business aptitude" is "business attitude" - the manner and approach you carry towards a life in business. Many business people, despite their natural gifts for what they do, simply do not have the stamina for business. They drop out prematurely, after a few failures, or simply use up so much energy that they quite literally become too exhausted to continue.

Having the right business attitude, on the other hand, goes way beyond expertise, technique or "know-how". It's the ability to stay on course when scary winds are buffeting your ship from all directions. It's the ability to know when to row harder, when to let the sails take over, when to allow the currents to carry you.

In the business world, traps and potholes are aplenty. Failing several times is no uncommon, in fact, many business people will tell you it's the norm. Having the right business attitude means being able to handle these "downs" on your way to the "ups".

Think about the most successful person you know! How did that person become successful? Was he or she daunted by failure? Or were they always analyzing their mistakes, discovering what went wrong, and deciding not to repeat that mistake? It's the only route to success! It's so deceptively simple on paper, yet how many can truly do it in reality?

Think about your own thoughts about your success in business. Do you believe the only way to make more money is to work harder? Do you believe that you cannot be your own boss? Do you believe that the reasons for your failures are external? Other people, other events?

To achieve success in business (as with anything else), you have to believe that you can. Trying and failing is still better than doing nothing. At least you've learnt something. And take responsibility for your own actions. Do not blame people; learn from them. There are valuable lessons to be gleaned, even from your enemies.

Be constantly aware of what you're thinking. Re-program your mind to believe that you can, and you will!

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd