October 22, 2014

Vision without execution is just hallucination.

~ Walter Isaacson

In This Issue

Putting the Odds in Your Favor

The Little Newsletter That Could

The 30 Day Challenge is Happening Again

Barbara Online

Buon Viaggio Blog

The theme this month is
Postcards from Barbara

PUTTING THE ODDS IN YOUR FAVOR

A few years ago, I was watching an online Twitter event when a very famous motivational speaker took the stage and declared, "Eighty percent of all business fail in the first five years!" In case we weren't frightened enough by that, he repeated it. I believe I yelled back at him on my computer with a word I won't repeat.

These failure statistics aren't just inaccurate, they're frequently pulled out to sell high-priced "solutions." I was pretty sure he was going to offer to save us from such a miserable fate for several thousand dollars. Of course, my expectations were met a few minutes later.

Anyone who has asked the Failure Rate Question of me, knows that it's an invitation to a rant. Ii like to point out that if such massive failure was occurring that every office park in the country would look like a U-Haul parking lot.

Then I point out a number of other problems with the popular statistics such as the fact that they're based on conventional, highly capitalized businesses. They also are skewed because if you sell a business that continues under new ownership it also may be classified as failed.

Nevertheless, anyone who is serious about succeeding on their own needs more than a good idea. How can you put the odds of success in your favor?

According to the National Business Incubation Association, 80-90 percent of businesses are still operating after five years where the founder has received some entrepreneurial training and continues with a networking group.

So while we may think that the Joyfully Jobless are wildly independent, the truth is that we're actually wildly interdependent. We continue to learn, grow, connect. Over and over and over.

Whether you're just starting out or have been self-employed for decades, keep putting yourself in places with others who are building their dreams, too. And get ideas and information from a reliable source-not a snake oil salesman.

Here are two places where you can connect and up the odds of bringing more of your dreams to life. Connect with both and you could be downright dangerous.

THE LITTLE NEWSLETTER THAT COULD

Winning Ways newsletter has been an important part of my life for 28 years so I am guilty of forgetting to mention what a unique tool it can be. Then I get a message like this one from Natalie Edwards in the UK. She says,

I just wanted to write and say thank you from the bottom of my heart once more for your amazing, inspiring Winning Ways newsletter which I eagerly await and tear open with enthusiasm each time it arrives.

Since attending your fantastic workshop in London back in May, I have re-positioned myself as a writer and coach, combining my yoga and meditation trainings with coaching sessions. I always loved writing as a child and since doing it again daily I have literally come alive, I don't know why I wasn't doing it before - I'm even writing a book!

But I'm just reading your most recent newsletter and it always fills me with so much enthusiasm and so many new ideas I hadn't thought of and I just wanted to say thank you again.

It may sound funny coming from me, but I share her enthusiasm-not only when I'm putting each new issue together, but when I go back to previous issues and come across articles and information I'd forgotten about.

I started publishing newsletters with my very first business because I knew in my own journey, I needed frequent reminders in order to avoid backsliding. A newsletter, unlike a book, keeps showing up to add to your inspiration, information and idea bank.

So I apologize for failing to remind you that such a thing exists and is currently available to new subscribers for a mere $36/year. Winning Ways appears in your mailbox (the real one) six times a year. Unlike a newspaper, it's designed to be read and stored for future reference.

If you respond quickly (before the end of October, to be precise), I'll also send you the current issue (as long as supplies last) as a thank you. Your subscription will officially start with the November/December issue.

I would love having you along. Check out the link below to get started.

Winning Ways

THE 30 DAY CHALLENGE IS HAPPENING AGAIN

Take a giant leap forward in making a living without a job in just 30 days

If you're feeling a bit stuck on your journey to making a living without a job, or just feel in need a burst of energy, discipline and motivation, I have something today you're going to love.

Whether you're still on the starting blocks waiting to find your business idea, or you've got started but you're not making progress at the speed you'd like, let me introduce you to my friend John Williams.

John is the best-selling author of Screw Work, Let's Play: How to do what you love and get paid for it over in the UK and his program called the Screw Work Let's Play 30 Day Challenge has just become available today.

The 30 Day Challenge is a unique program with John and his team leading 250 people around the world to find a money-making idea they love and launch it in just 30 days.

Imagine being immersed in a global community of people on the same adventure to get paid to do what they love, led by experts in writing, marketing productivity, and wordpress. You'll learn counter-intuitive approaches to get things done quickly while having fun and you'll surprise yourself with what you can produce in just 30 days - even if you're busy.

The 30 Day Challenge has just become available today and there are some great bonuses available for a limited time.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SCREW WORK LET'S PLAY 30 DAY CHALLENGE HERE

Buon Viaggio,

Barbara Winter

P.S. On occasion, I may receive a commission or compensation when you participate or purchase a product or service I recommend. That being said, I strive to always offer useful content and resources in each issue of Joyfully Jobless News.