When\u00a0 speaker Jerry Gilles told his audience of would-be writers that they should buy one hardcover book every week to support the industry they were part of, there was an audible gasp in the room.<\/p>\n
What Gilles was suggesting wasn\u2019t radical at all. It is just one way to put into action\u00a0 the idea to\u00a0 \u201cSupport That Which Supports You.\u201d Successful people do that all the time.<\/p>\n
As entrepreneurs, we have numerous opportunities every day to spread the entrepreneurial spirit. Here are a few ways to do just that.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b0\u00a0 Be joyful in the world.<\/strong> Make other people wonder why you\u2019re so happy. As you go about routine errands, think about those you interact with and how they\u2019re part of your success team. The postal clerk, bank teller and print shop are helping you accomplish your goals, after all.\u00a0 Let them know they\u2019re appreciated.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b0\u00a0 Adopt a prot\u00e9g\u00e9.<\/strong> Even if you\u2019ve only been in business a short time, you\u2019ve probably learned more than you realize.\u00a0 Helping someone who knows less than you do can serve a dual purpose: besides making their journey\u00a0 smoother, you\u2019ll also see how far you\u2019ve come.<\/p>\n That can be a huge confidence booster. Coach, encourage and support someone who\u2019s just getting started. Ask them to pass it on.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b0\u00a0 Share what you\u2019ve learned.<\/strong> Write a What I Learned From Starting My Own Business<\/em> article and get\u00a0 it published in a local business paper or post it on your Web site.<\/p>\n What do you wish you\u2019d done differently? What was the best surprise you got in starting your own business? Pick six or ten key lessons and find a way to share them.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b0 Talk to the media.<\/strong> Local media is always on the lookout for stories about interesting folks in their midst. Let them know you\u2019re there. Don\u2019t just be a publicity seeker, however. Come up with an angle that\u2019s newsworthy.<\/p>\n Artist Greg Evans had a great piece written\u00a0 about him in\u00a0 Colorado Avid Golfer <\/em><\/strong>magazine after he sent out a press release titled \u201cFrom Corporate Life to Creative Life.\u201d<\/p>\n Might your personal story be of interest? Or do you have expert advice to share that could add to your\u00a0 visibility?<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b0 Do\u00a0 the opposite.<\/strong> The entrepreneurial path is not about following the crowd. One way to keep your creative muscles tuned up is to find ways to do things differently than everyone else.<\/p>\n Thinking in opposites is an easy starting point for finding a unique way of doing even simple things.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b0 Be a student of success.<\/strong> Eavesdrop on conversations and you\u2019ll hear how many people are clueless about success factors and the behavior that leads to genuine success.<\/p>\n Teachers like Jim Rohn devoted their lives to studying winners and their findings are documented in books, in seminars and on CDs. Be more than a casual student of what they have to say.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b0 Conduct regular interviews with entrepreneurs.<\/strong> My niece Gretchen is associate business editor of the Ventura Star<\/em>. She was telling me that one of the best parts of her job is talking to passionate entrepreneurs. \u201cIf they know you\u2019re interested, they love to talk about their business.\u201d<\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to\u00a0 be a newspaper reporter to take advantage of all this enthusiasm. Seek out entrepreneurs and be genuinely interested in hearing their stories. Easy as that.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b0 Support small business whenever possible.<\/strong> There are numerous ways to do this beginning with patronizing the entrepreneurs in\u00a0 your community. You might pay a little more at your local hardware store, but you may also discover you\u2019ll get useful advice along with your purchase.<\/p>\n And don\u2019t overlook opportunities to form alliances and create joint projects with other entrepreneurs. Collaborations can create positive synergy.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b0 Help a kid.<\/strong> One of the most common regrets I hear from adults is that they weren\u2019t exposed to entrepreneurial thinking earlier. So cheer a young upstart on.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b0 Connect with your tribe.<\/strong> While some old organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, may not be a fit for the new creative entrepreneur, look for places where the joyfully jobless congregate and join them.<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When\u00a0 speaker Jerry Gilles told his audience of would-be writers that they should buy one hardcover book every week to support the industry they were part of, there was an audible gasp in the room. What Gilles was suggesting wasn\u2019t radical at all. It is just one way to put into action\u00a0 the idea to\u00a0…<\/p>\n