Ever heard of Akio Morita? Well, the name may not immediately ring a bell but for sure you have heard of his empire. Morita’s very first item for sale was a rice cooker that sadly did not cook rice, instead, burned it. For most who are just starting up, that could have been a stumbling block, enough to kiss the concept of “starting a business” goodbye, yet, this initial letdown never stopped Morita and his partners. Instead of giving up, they pushed harder and created a multi-billion dollar firm now known as SONY.

Everyone who is successful today did not get to the top fast and easy. In truth, today’s top magnates were confronted with myriad of impediment which compelled them to dream bigger, work harder, aim higher and demonstrate stronger resolve than others. So, you’re experiencing a series of disappointments? Do not let these setbacks bog you down. Below are simple tips to guide you when all you see are bumps and detours in your entrepreneurial path:

Beware of Analysis-Paralysis. Never fear seeking the counsel of people who can be considered trusted mentors and friends. When you are still starting your business, feedback is astonishingly useful, most especially if it comes from a seasoned business owner who has built an empire within your market or industry. However, keep your eyes open. Even well-meaning advisers can smother and bewilder entrepreneurs, especially the greenhorns. Excessive advice can lead to analysis-paralysis. While it is good to provide yourself some time to formulate and arrive at big decisions, do not make your decision-making process so long that you will miss an opportunity and can never move forward. Rectify your mistakes if you must, but if you never get started, you will never find the road to success in your lifetime.

Listen to End-Users. Reactions, opinions, criticisms, provide you the chance to improve and fine tune your product or service. Often times, what you consider is a very interesting concept may not sound so great to your target market. But if you seek the opinion of a client/customer what his/her preferences are then you try to adapt to provide it, you’re almost certain to get a good feedback. In this manner, your clients are assured of getting precisely what they want or what they think they want.

Networking, the Name of the Game. Who you know is not enough. You should supplement it with ‘who knows you.’ Visibility is one big rule when you want people to know you or see you. In advancing your business, it is good to see and be seen.

“Things to Do” (TTDs). If you’re a genuine entrepreneur, it means you have more concepts than you’ll ever be able to carry out. However, don’t be tempted of having an extraordinary concept, chase it all the way then discover too late that you have relegated your core business to the background. To avoid getting into the “activity trap,” keep a list of TTDs. From to time, scan your list and assess which ideas should be carried out immediately and which ones must be set aside for the coming days.

Staying focused and following these simple tips may not guarantee you 100% success in your business but having these in mind always can give you the edge you need in order for you to get closer to that elusive success you have been aiming for.

What did Vince Lombardi say? “Winners never quit and quitters never win.”