I’ve been reading the books of Clive Cussler lately. His books almost all revolve around the sea, including real-life cases of finding lost ships of significance as well as fiction about heroic characters who save the day using their nautical expertise and courage.
Fun stuff.
In one of the books Cussler wrote something that struck home when it comes to business.
He wrote (I’m paraphrasing)
“A sailor who does not know how to use a compass must stay near enough to the shore to see where he or she is going. But a sailor who knows how to use a compass can navigate the globe without ever seeing the shore.”
How does this apply to business?
Having a compass in business means you have a system that is repeatable.
You can be truly independent.
You can go anywhere (enter any market) and find the way to your destination (success).
If you don’t have a compass you are limited.
- Limited to following others.
- Limited to relying on others for your direction.
- Limited to the plans you can make and the dreams you can dream.
Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being in the place where you don’t yet have a compass of your own.
There is nothing wrong with following in the footsteps of a mentor you trust.
I’ve been there and every person who has achieved success was there at one time.
But the key, the most important thing of all, is to not get stuck in that place.
You want to be in a place where you can chart your own course and not be limited to following in the footsteps of others.
And you want that as soon as humanly possible.
You might be asking, why is this so important?
Why, Charlie, are you saying that building my own compass is a “must do” and critical to my success.
Because until you have your own compass (until you know how to build your own business online) you will be tempted by the next shiny object.
Think about this – how many products have you bought that promised that all you had to do is do what the product owner has done and you will have success?
If you are like most people, the answer is too many.
Now think about this – how many products have you bought that taught you a skill that you could use over and over again to build a real online business?
And of the two – the “add water and stir” products vs. the teach-you-a-skill products, which has been more valuable to you?
If you are like me, it’s the products that help you gain independence that help you most.
So how do you build your own compass? How do you learn the skills you need to succeed online?
I believe there are three keys.
- Use proven business methods
- Adopt a long-term outlook
- Have focus and say no to distractions (two different things)
This blog, and the products I create, are dedicated to helping you achieve those worthy objectives.
Let me encourage you to begin building, or refining, your success compass today.
Because being able to chart your own course is a beautiful thing indeed!
