Being realistic is important when approaching the month of September; it is important to set goals and maintain a momentum that you can control. Burning yourself out is not an option but it is up to you to always be honest about your feelings and duties while running your business.

Now we all want a piece of that "entrepreneurial pie in the sky" including myself; but working productive not saying you are busy as we all do when asked "How is business but following through getting the JOB DONE!

Productive accomplishments are more rewarding than you will ever know - suggestions

1. Keep your daily to do list short
2. Take your lunch breaks when due
3. Leave the office and go for walks
4. Be accountable to someone, this keeps you honest with yourself
5. Complete all duties before you leave your office... no excuses.
6. Reward yourself each time you complete a task.

Now you can make it as hard as you like but the choice is yours. I just use simple steps to enjoy running my business; allowing no frustration to get in the way and boy they do come. The old saying "It's not what happens to you, it's how you handle it" is SO TRUE.

Let me share something with you. Our son did not attend camp this summer, he just could not make up his mind on which one to go. Now in my own busy world it did put a small (LARGE lol) hindrance on my business as I had to provide the entertainment for him while he was home but it all worked out. My networking meetings came to a halt which I always do through the summer but do I notice it going into the Fall. Business associates mention events and I have no idea what they are talking about; I feel out of the game, literally out of the loop.

As business owners we have made a choice to start on our own and make it work. So even though my summer was crazy I could not allow my family time to reflect upon my productiveness with my contacts and colleagues. I began to network by phone and computer to generate new business in the off time (while my darling husband /son were sleeping) because yes, it was late at night.

Being a business owner is not easy but down the road it will be so rewarding when all the seeds you have sown come to harvest.

This was proven to me again when we acquired a new addition to our family this summer a dog. His name is "Bonito" such a cute little puppy, now 18 weeks old. Talk about being disciplined with family, businesses and now I added a dog to the list... what was I thinking?

Seriously, it was a decision we made together as a family. Walking our Bonito each day and correcting him through puppy training classes is challenging but as another dog owner mentioned to me "You are now paying a price but in the end you will have a fantastic dog all the work you put in now will eventually pay off!"

Which goes to show that there is no difference, success is whatever we make it.

Joy Foster
Motivational Speaker, Singer and Recording Artist
Kimberlite Enterprises