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Entrepreneurs are always looking for ways to do more with less.  Whether you are a seasoned veteran with a successful business or a new startup, you are always going to be looking for ways to grow.  Some ways of growing are worth the expense.  For example, hiring a great sales person.  But, there are other ways to grow that can help you succeed in big ways that don't cost anything.  Here are 3 of them.

1.)  Partnerships/Joint Ventures

One of the easiest ways to grow is to create a partnership or joint venture with another company or entity that has complimentary products or services.  You can then bundle your services with theirs an they with yours to create an even more compelling offer.  Additionally, you can do a revenue share together when you bring them opportunities and they can do the same with you.  You also get access to now sell to their customers and they get access to yours.  It costs nothing to do this other than a little time and ingenuity.

2.)  Affiliates

If you have a product that people people can buy online or without interacting with a sales team on your side, an affiliate program may be a good way to go.  You can pay commission to those that bring sales to your door.  This works great with influencers, brand ambassadors, and those with big networks looking to monetize them.  All this takes is creating an affiliate page for people to sign up and coming up with a commission structure.  You can use Paypal to start as a way to pay commissions and then go seek out influencers and those that would be a good fit with a good audience for your product or service and invite them to be an affiliate.

3.)  Current Customers

This last should come as no surprise.  One of the best places to get new business and grow is by getting referrals from your current clients.  If you take good care of your clients, all you really have to do is ask them.  But, you may consider putting in place referral program where they receive an incentive of some kind for referring you if it makes sense for your business.  Again, this costs nothing except taking good care of your clients and some sweat equity.

So, there you go.  3 ways to grow your business whether you are seasoned or start up that cost nothing other than time, a little work, and ingenuity.

There are some days where you just get frustrated.  Maybe things don't go your way.  Maybe you have a bad day in business.  Maybe you get frustrated with a loved one over an issue or a challenge.  Whatever it is, there are just times things don't go right and we get frustrated.  Of course, this is an emotional reaction.

So, what do we do?  How do we get over the frustration quickly and not let it affect us.  First, use logic, but understand - frustration will affect you.  The key is to make sure it has minimal impact.

You should logically think through why you are frustrated or angry and then ask yourself what is in your power to do about it and then what is not.  You can then focus on the things you can control.  

The second thing you can do is what a Misfit Entrepreneur guest, Harma Hartouni called the "5 Minute Funeral."  Instead of just ignoring the issue and letting frustration impact you, deal with it and do it quickly.  It is OK to get pissed off and be angry or even say a few choice words - just do it for 5 mins, get it over with, and get to work on the things you can control to resolve it.  

We will always have things that get us angry or frustrated.  The key is to understand that.  Deal with it.  And get moving to a better place as fast as possible.  And the more challenges you can handle and overcome the more you will grow and succeed!

Everyone has their own hacks and ways to help the to focus and concentrate.  One of my favorites is to listen to ambient music.  But, over the years, I've found there are certain types that really work for me and have found a number of great long (1 hour+) compilations on Youtube that I can throw on and just let go as I work.  Most of them involve movie scores or soundtracks.  You'll probably be surprised at what works best for me, but it works and that is all that matters.  Here are my Top 5 Youtube compilations for concentrating while I work.

1.)  My Go to Favorite:  Harry Potter Ambient

2.)  My Second Favorite:  Fantastic Beasts Ambient, Raining in New York

3.)  My More "Upbeat, Yet Serious) Favorite:  Bat Cave Ambience, Dark Knight Trilogy

​This one doesn't allow it to be embedded in other websites, so here is the link.  It's a killer compilation.

https://youtu.be/p-9AbH4Q1OU

4.)  My Fun Favorite:  Both Sherlock Holmes Soundtracks 

5.)  My Favorite for Deeper Concentration:  Interstellar Main Theme Extended

This won't be a long post.  In fact, it is more like a gut check - one that we all need from time to time.

Are you being truthful to yourself?  Are you?

Before you answer, stop and really think on this.  Are you living the way you want and know you should be?  Are you living by the principles you believe in?  Are you compromising them in any way?  Or more importantly, are you settling in any area of your life where you know you should not be?  

Most people are living a lie in some area of their lives.  It may be in a relationship, their work, or internally within themselves.  Most of the time, they are complacent and settling in an area they know they should not be.  They know what they should be doing or the choices that need to be made, but they avoid them and keep the lie going because it's easier to do that than face the truth and potential consequences - even when they know by doing so, they will be better off in the end.  

Don't be one of these people.  Face your lie(s) and breakthrough.  Act.  Do what you know you need to do and push forward.  

Free yourself by telling yourself the truth and living in it.