Self-Motivation
FMD believe that most people wait until someone else tells them what to do. That's the way our society is organised. You go to school and the teacher tells you what to do. You study at university and the professors tell you what to do. Your parents tell you what is right and wrong. You get a job and there you will have a boss and colleagues who tell you what to do. Now, we all have to learn from others clearly but we do have a choice about where we get advice. If you want to know how to establish your own business, would you ask your colleague who has been working in a regular 9 —5 job for 15 years or so? Think about your teachers at school or your University professors. Do you think they know how to set up a business and become an entrepreneur?
Consistency, the ability to follow through
Many people who do have self-motivation, quickly get enthused and inspired by a new idea. Getting excited or even thrilled by an idea might be great for the moment. FMD understands that a business, however, requires constant activity. If you want to establish and develop a company you need a high level of consistency. Once you have made the decision to set up your business, you must follow through this decision with consistency.
Self-Discipline
The Managing Director at FMD appreciated through past experience, that being the sort of person who tends to raise their voice when something doesn't go their way, is certainly not beneficial to their business. It is so important in business to control your emotions especially when under pressure. Whenever you start shouting, swearing or using negative language you are wasting your energy — energy better put to use on your business venture. Swearing and grumbling kills your creativity and blocks your mind. You must be strong enough to withstand any tendency to get angry or upset or else you will never succeed in your business.
Courage
FMD appreciates that it takes great courage to make decisions and set goals as this means you have to prove to yourself that you can follow your own words through to a conclusion. Look at your friends, family and colleagues. How often do you hear somebody make a promise like «I'll call you next week.» or «I'll look this information up for you.» or «Sure I'll help you when you move house, just let me know when you need me.» Those are statements, offers, promises all based on words. Yet, how often are they followed by deeds? It takes courage to make a real decision, as you will have to make a sacrifice to follow it through. Many people do not set themselves goals because they are afraid of failing — of admitting defeat and they think the best way to avoid defeat is to simply not set goals.
Willingness to learn and the ability to change habits
Most people are not aware of the fact that they have to learn something new every day, in order to obtain new knowledge and new skills they have to change some habits. FMD suggests that if you want to learn a foreign language you have to change your daily routine. We all have a tendency to get used to things that are not only comfortable but also do not require much activity on our part. We get used to watching TV in the evening and eating convenience food at the same time because this is comfortable and doesn't require any mental activity. IF you want to establish your business, you won't have much time to watch TV for entertainment. You have to change your habit of absorbing information passively into one of actively searching for information in order to analyse, filter, absorb and reorganise it.
Vision
FMD explains that vision is the ability to see things not as they are right now, but what they will be like in the future. Most people are so stuck in the moment, so preoccupied with their personal daily problems that they don't have the time or energy to think about how a particular market can develop in the future. Look at any successful business venture and you will find that its founder was able to project into the future, to estimate how people's behaviour will change. Your success in business is directly related to your «vision capacity»
The Human Factor
FMD feels that “People”, should be the focus of your study when you want to create a business regardless of your favourite industry, marketing strategy or distribution methods. All your activities have one aim: to influence people in such a way that they want to give you their time, trust, and eventually their money in return for a product that they need.The most common mistake in business, as well as in any other form of human relationship, is to think only about your self. If the sole purpose of your company is to make a lot of money for yourself you will never really succeed. People appreciate attention and they will give you their custom only when you listen to them and make them feel important.
FMD bullet points what they think it takes to be successful in business
Follow Your Passion and Dreams
Be Genuine and Authentic
Practice A Great Work Ethic
Surround Yourself With Successful People
Be Enthusiastic and Passionate
Enlist Support From Peers, coaches and Mentors
Maintain Focus and Discipline
Create Well Defined Goals
Exhibit Internal Energy and Drive
Create A Positive Attitude
Grow and Learn by Experimenting
Do Not Be Afraid To Fail
Keep Your Business Aligned With Your Values
Maintain High Standards
Visualise Your Goals and The Future You Want
Believe In Yourself
Exhibit Self-Discipline and Self-Management
Take Risks
Make Your Health a Priority
Recognise Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Dream Big
Be Persistent and Assertive
Celebrate Your Successes
Live In The Moment
Follow Through With Commitments
Learn To View Challenges From Different Perspectives
Maintain Optimism
Develop Your Communication Skills
Be Likeable
Learn New Things
Laugh At Yourself
FMD appreciates that running a successful business takes time and dedication, and understands that at times in any of our careers we feel strained, it is important to remember the reason why we all work so hard and take the time to enjoy the reward, all work and no play is not a healthy balance.
