Two Ways To Increase Your Earning Power!

I went to a school that required the teachers to put their comments about my performance on the report card. 

It never failed. 

Six out of seven teachers would end their comment with, "He shows potential."  

OK.  So what were the comments of the seventh teacher?  They were positive, because it was a class I was passionate about.  It was a class that came easy to me and inspired me to learn more. 

I am a firm believer that you should look to start a business that you are passionate about and one that comes easy to you.   

Why?  Because it ties into the two ways to increase your earning power: 

1.   Thirst for knowledge

2.   Be a good communicator 

KNOWLEDGE 

The good news is that there is an abundance of information on any business at your disposal.  The bad news is that there is an abundance of information out there.  

What is good and what is bad? 

Learning is more than just reading.  It is talking to people with experience.  It is asking the right questions.  It is learning from other's mistakes.  It is asking for referrals.  It is subscribing to the right periodicals, taking classes, seminars, books and so forth. 

The first place to start is to find someone who is an expert in the field you are interested in.  Someone who has achieved success and can point you in the right direction. 

The second thing to do is block out at least 30 minutes a day to read something that applies to your business or can help you become a better leader.  

Don't buy too many books as they will pile up and then reading and learning will become overwhelming.  

COMMUNICATION 

You can have great financial and operational skills; but communication skills are paramount.  Here's why. 

Great communicators understand the listener's problems.  They feel their pain and joys.  

Most importantly, they understand exactly what the listener wants and needs, and then they tell them how to get it.  

Great communicators speak with passion and convictions.  They are enthusiastic about their life and they are even more driven when it comes to helping others.  

I guess you can say that great communicators are emotional.  Most buying decisions are based on emotions. In fact, most decisions in general are based on emotions; from the partner you pick to the food you eat to clothes you wear.  

Here are some guidelines to help you become a better communicator: 

      Communicate with an understanding of the listener's pains or problems

      Communicate with a purpose.  What do you want the listener to do? 

      Design your communication to hit your target market. Who are these people and what brought them here?

      Communicate with a benefit in mind. What's in it for the listener? 

      Establish yourself as a leader or expert. Build trust and credibility. 

      Hold their attention.

      Keep it simple.  Do not make your listeners have to guess what you're talking about or what you have to offer. 

      Have more than one person read your copy.  

Back to the report card comment.  We all have potential.  In fact, we all have the potential to be wealthy; however, potential isn't actual wealth.  

The most successful people are always learning more about their business.  The most successful people learn communication skills to influence others to do what they want. 

This is why I emphasized that you should pick a business that you are passionate about.  There's nothing worse than trying to learn about something that you couldn't care less about. 

Just ask my teachers.