What a question! What's THAT supposed to mean?

I ask the question because so many people today who profess to be interested in operating their own business spend far too much time "tire-kicking."

While I would never underestimate the importance of exercising due diligence when investigating any type of business or income opportunity, there comes a time when you simply have to make a decision and act upon it.

Let's face it...no one business is right for everyone. We all have different interests, different abilities, different financial goals. But one thing's for certain...you'll never get off the ground if you sit on your hands!

Take my own experience, for instance. I started with an idea, a concept. I wanted to help others learn that with a little knowledge and a lot of sweat equity, anyone with the desire can earn an income from home.

This is not the first business I've operated from home; far from it. My first foray into the home-business scene was with a direct sales company called Discovery Toys. At that time it was in its infancy (as a matter of fact, I was the very first representative in my home state of Mississippi). For those of you not familiar with Discovery Toys, it markets educational toys and games through a variety of sales methods. It also provides an opportunity for residual income by building your own sales force. I chose to only do sales, and I did very well with it. Why? Not because I sat around wondering IF it would work; I just did it!

Another business I operated from home was as a tutor for young children whose parents wanted them to learn how to use a computer. I invested in a computer and software and marketed my business to day cares and preschools as an optional service to those parents willing to pay for it. Once again, I took a chance...and it paid off. But it didn't happen by accident, and it didn't happen overnight.

You can spend your time analyzing the daylights out of each and every venture, but I can assure you that if you do, at some point you'll convince yourself that it just won't work! And you know what? It WON'T work unless you are confident in your ability to succeed.

Here's another news flash...when you do start your own business, you're going to make some mistakes. If you're not willing to learn from those mistakes and use that knowledge to improve yourself and your business, then maybe you'd just better stay in that 9-to-5 job.

Operating your own business involves risk-taking and decision-making; no one can tell you exactly how to run your business. If you're looking for someone to answer every question for you, make every decision, and show you EXACTLY what to do every step of the way, you don't need to be in business for yourself.

Getting started is the hardest part, but once you do, don't look back. You'll get discouraged and want to give up, but you have to hang in there. The rewards are many.

Like...not having any more bruised toes!