To that end, Dr. James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente developed a Transtheoretical Model of Change in 1982 that has been applied to everything from weight loss to drug addiction with great success and acclaim. Though their model has never before been applied to those considering starting up a successful small business, it is a very relevant model that will help take the pressure off individuals thinking they should be further along than where they are, and provide a compassionate understanding of where each person is along the scale.
Three Great Things about The Stages of Change
Prochaska and DiClemente's Transtheoretical Model of Change identifies five stages of change: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.
The Precontemplation Stage (Not Currently Considering Change)
This stage could really be called "the precursor-to-change" stage. This is the stage when individuals may not even be thinking about becoming small business owners. In fact, in this stage, they may not even be aware that it would be beneficial for them to make a change, though other individuals around them may be thinking that they should. This stage's motto is: Ignorance is bliss.
How to know if you are in The Precontemplation Stage:
1.You're not really thinking about starting up a small business.
2.You are basically okay with how things are.
3.Others may be voicing their concerns about the hours you are keeping, the stress you seem to be under, or how much you need to take a vacation.
Those in this stage do not intend to take action within the next 6 months.
The Contemplation Stage (Thinking about Change and Researching Options)
In the Contemplation Stage, individuals are aware that a change is needed and they actually desire to make a change. Although they are seriously thinking about change, they have no clear plan of action because they are feeling ambivalent about change. This stage's motto is: Just sitting on the fence waiting to see what will come along.
How to know if you are in The Contemplation Stage:
1. You find yourself doing on-line research, and thinking about what it would be like to be a small business owner.
2. You seek out the perspective of others who have "been there, done that."
3. You find yourself attracted to journal articles about entrepreneurship and small business ownership.
Those in this stage are considering taking action within the next 6 months.
The Preparation Stage (Ready for Change and Making Plans)
This stage of change is readily apparent by the amount of activity, decisions, and overt action that is taking place in preparation for a small business start up. This is a time of planning how and when the start up process will begin. This stage's motto is: I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.
How to know if you are in The Preparation Stage:
1. Your small business start up coach has become your best friend.
2. Your white board is getting a daily workout as you look at every aspect of small business ownership.
3. You are regularly experiencing both excitement and fear.
Individuals in this stage are intending to take action within the next month.
The Action Stage (Making Change and Taking Charge)
This stage is characterized by a considerable amount of steady, forward movement. All the necessary paper work is filled out, business checking accounts opened, company name registered, business cards selected, web site developed, and strategic action plans mapped out. The motto for this stage is: Carpe Deum.
How to know if you are in The Action Stage:
1. You are in full-out action mode.
2. You're spending most of your day focused on your new small business, and loving it.
3. You are committed to seeing your actions through.
Individuals in this stage are taking action.
The Maintenance Stage (Continuing Forward Movement toward Goal)
By this stage, individuals are firmly ensconced in the forward movement and momentum of launching their new small business. Continued commitment to sustaining the forward movement of their small business success is the goal of this stage. The motto of this stage is: Westward, ho!
How to know if you are in The Maintenance Stage:
1. Your business is running smoothly.
2. You have begun cycling back through the stages of change to further develop and expand the growth of your small business.
3. You are actively looking for new opportunities for change and growth.
Individuals in this stage are continuing momentum.
In Praise of Prochaska and DiClemente's Transtheoretical Model of Change
As has been demonstrated, Prochaska and DiClemente's Transtheoretical Model can be easily adapted to the stages of change that occur in small business start ups. Individuals considering whether or not they are ready to become small business owners need no longer be left with the question of "if." Rather, they can easily find a clear answer to where they are along the change continuum. As a result, they themselves become powerful and effective agents for change. What's more, they learn that change, while life-altering, can be life-affirming and life-enhancing.
Small Business Owner Grants
As every internet business must have goals and objectives, it is only appropriate that owners learn to accept trials and failures along the way. There will be challenges and obstacles associated with successfully running a business, but a solution-driven mindset will learn how to adapt and overcome every marketing turmoil.
There are no excuses and waiting in the business world and competition will surely grab every opportunity to control the market, which is why there is no reason to doubt or complain about the ruthlessness of it all. There are far more benefits in trying to solve problems and overcoming obstacles, compared with waiting for others to create something great, or avoiding problems altogether.
What is mindset?
Mindset or state or frame of mind is a trait that should be fostered by every effective online business owner who wants to excel and succeed. The online market can even be faster than real world demands and transactions with state-of-the-art business ideas and innovative product or service selling.
Proper mindset is the characteristic that guides the business owner to maintain ideals, make the right decisions and adapt to stress while generating income in order to attain objectives and goals for the business to survive.
Goals of a proper mindset
The aim of having proper mindset is to establish goals for the online business to continue selling, stay ahead of competition and generate income. Here are some of its specific goals.
1. Avoid – Proper mindset aims to produce, sell and earn, which is why it does everything to avoid predicaments that can hamper the company's growth. A responsible business owner will not engage in any scrupulous activity that may put his integrity and market at risk. Even though there are always risks involved in investing, there is greater good in avoiding obvious hazards.
2. Alleviate – When there is an already existing problem, the business owner should aim to lessen any impact that it can cause to the business through identification of mitigating factors. These will help reduce costs as well as save the reputation of the business. It can also be time-consuming or can stay unresolved for a number of years which may adversely affect operations.
3. Fix – Whether the existing problem has been lessened or not, it may already have caused considerable damage that may spread and grow if unresolved. It is the company's responsibility to immediately fix or find solutions to past and present problems to maintain integrity and production.
4. Learn – Based on previous and existing problems, proper mindset also enables individuals to learn and adapt from mistakes to avoid being involved in the same adverse circumstance again. It is important that the lesson and value is incorporated in every partner and person involved so that the same failure or damage will not stem from the same source again.
5. Grow – Even if the online business is already generating sales and income, there is a certain degree of need for growth that comes with the proper mindset. It is not merely contented with profit or reputation but aims to continually develop to fend off competition, as well as prepare for future situations. Future problems can also be predicted and avoided if there is research and development provided for the company's continuous progress.
6. Change – There should be room for adjustment to cope with the ever-changing market. There are hot-selling products or services at present that can easily crash the next minute, which is why the mindset trains the business owner to learn how to immediately alter operations and strategies as needed to effectively cater to the population.
Traits that fit the proper mindset
Once the proper mindset is prepared, the business owner must also possess attitudes that best compliment the goal to succeed and produce. Here are traits that work best with the proper mindset.
1. Learning – The yearning for newfound knowledge must constantly be present in order for the company to grow, adapt and cope with recent changes and emergency.
Even if the online business as well as the strategies for internet marketing are working effectively in the meantime, the owner should anticipate that, sooner or later, new demands and competition will again cause him to change ways and ideas. This is where research and development comes in to provide room for innovation, creativity, and originality.
2. Intervention – Once knowledge is acquired, the company must begin incorporating it to update and improve its existing principles. Potential problems should immediately be addressed while existing ones are being resolved. Do not wait until problems accumulate or there might be long-term damages or overloading if an emergency occurs.
3. Evaluation – Evaluating the effects of the knowledge and actions is helpful in order to set new goals and redefine the mindset. Clearly define the details that affected the business positively and negatively and find ways to innovate and identify solutions respectively.
An effective business owner with the proper mindset accepts the fact that there is no perfect solution or manner of running the business which is why evaluation and assessment is indispensable.
All business owners aim to succeed, which is why they all have to establish the mindset that focuses on identifying problems, solving them, and generating sales and income. Internet marketing is fast-changing and innovative; by having the proper mindset, you can effectively cope with the demands and stress that may be associated with running a business.
Both Susan L Reid & Jeremy Gislason are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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