Fly on the E-Commerce Cyberwall

Are You Pursuing Greatness?
I just read a great article by one of my favorite Internet marketers, Jim Edwards. Jim related his thoughts after reading the book, "The Pursuit of Happyness," recently. One thing he said especially struck home with me:

"You must have a STRONG DESIRE to GROW. You must be HUNGRY for it. Nothing good comes to those who are 'casually interested.' Greatness comes to those who DARE to be great and want it so badly that they’ll overcome any obstacle, bear any burden, and DO WHATEVER is necessary in the attainment of a worthy goal."

Some people might look at that quote and not see any connection to Internet marketing. After all, isn't Internet marketing about making a little money online?

It reality, though, if you're trying to start a business online, you are pursuing greatness. Nobody's out there waiting to hand you their money as a reward for setting up a website or for listing a bunch of eBay auctions.

They're looking for solutions that will change their lives. Maybe the problems they're looking to solve aren't big ones. Maybe all they're looking for is a better brand of skin cream—or the answer to a question—or some new doo-dad to while away a little time.

Maybe they're looking for something that really resonates with them and reinforces the way they see themselves. It doesn't matter what solutions they're seeking.

No matter how big or how small the need you're helping them fill is, they are looking for someone who can help them fill that need. Before they'll trust you to do that, you'll have to show them that you have something that they can't get on their own. You'll have to prove yourself.

So, in a sense, whenever you start a business, you have to strive for greatness. You need to be there for them with solutions that they don't have.

You don't become a solution provider if, as Jim says, you're only "casually interested." You don't become the person with the answers if you don't stretch yourself to find the answers yourself.

Growth is essential to a successful business—and I'm not talking just about revenue growth! There is no revenue growth for your business without personal growth for you. It's part of becoming the person who can meet their needs.

Dare to be great. Dare to meet others' needs. Stretch yourself to become someone who overcomes the obstacles you face so you can help others past their obstacles as well. Striving to be all that is not an easy path, but it's essential to your business' success.
Jeff