What's interesting is that some self-employed professionals are ready to close their business due to the economy, while other global entrepreneurs couldn't be happier. While I am not an economist or an accountant (I have team members that handle all that financial forecasting 'stuff' for me), I do know one important fact that most 6 and 7 figure entrepreneurs live by. In America, the economy is the same for everyone; it's how you persevere and seek out fun activities that determine how successful your business will be. Perseverance and creativity can turn a small investment into a huge fortune.



And this is exactly what millionaire author, Jack Canfield has been teaching for years. E + R = O (Events + Responses = Outcome) The basic idea here is that is that every outcome you experience in your business life (whether it's wealth or poverty, fun or frustration) is the result of how you have responded to an earlier event (or events) in your business life. So, are you having fun today? If not, here's something I'd like you to try: turn away from this eZine, and go do something fun for 15 minutes. I don't care what it is. Login to a funny website, watch a hilarious DVD, go play with your pet, or call a friend who always lifts your spirits. Even funnier yet: pull out your high-school yearbook and look at the hairstyles and clothing that you and your friends were wearing. Remember that? When life was fun? Go do it now. Fifteen short minutes. I'll still be here.

You back? You in a better mood yet? Good. If you had trouble coming up with a fifteen-minute fun activity, or had to stretch to find that happy memory, then you are teetering on the edge of burn-out and exhaustion my friend. And exhaustion is not client attractive. One of the very first things you gotta get straight in your head is: clients are attracted to optimists. Clients want to hear how you persevered through this economy, and that your business is now stronger as a result. They want you to be a beacon of hope. Hope is very client attractive.

Here is what I have learned from top 6 and 7 figure income earners: Great small business marketing means working smart, not working hard. Savvy business owners love shortcuts that work, love to use systems, love to delegate, and they love life. They love people, and use money. Not the other way around. It's a cruel joke to think that that money will bring you happiness. Money was never intended to bring you happiness; money only brings comfort. Getting those two confused will lead you towards exhaustion. So...tomorrow morning when you begin this entrepreneurial gig all over again, I want you to have a happy memory to indulge in for fifteen minutes. Cherish that memory throughout the day. And get your butt in gear creating more of them. Okay? Now let's get going on creating the business of your dreams.

Here are four steps to help you persevere, increase your small business creativity, and attract more ideal clients:

* Avoid the "rut thinking" that happens as we get older. Humans operate 92% on autopilot, and only 8% consciously. Sadly, those entrepreneurs among us who are suffering economically have developed a herd mentality. When presented with a problem, they tend to go with the first thought that pops into their head because that is what everyone in their industry is doing.

* Determine what will make you happy. Once you discover what makes you happy, and for some folks this is going to take a lot of research by consciously living their life, then you go for it as if your life depended on it.

* Set aside a time each week to generate ideas, and a completely different time to evaluate each idea. Don't mix the two, or you may be killing those ideas before you know what they might grow up to be.

* Risk being silly. What might be considered silliness when juxtaposed against the serious job of building a small business - humor, giving a child piggyback rides, or finger painting - might actually work to loosen you up in times of stress. After all, it takes a lot of passion to act silly - and to create a thriving company where you work less, and make more money.