Million Dollar Gamble is now available on iTunes! Click here to subscribe to the show and ensure future episodes drop on your feed. With a new year comes a new slate of projects, new opportunities, new challenges, and, of course, new expectations. It’s time to put it all on the line in a big way: whether it’s a business venture that you risk your life savings on, a long-term romantic relationship that will take years to pay off, or a major purchase that will ultimately prove you a fool for taking such a risk. It all starts with a million-dollar idea. If you’re thinking about taking the plunge on your own business venture, an idea that will give you the opportunity to make a real difference, and potentially bring you financial independence and fulfillment that will last a lifetime, let us help you on this new journey. A Million Dollar Gamble will help you to develop a business strategy that will give your idea legs to stand on and, ultimately, help you to achieve success. Whether it’s your own business or being part of someone else’s, a business endeavor is a huge commitment that involves a whole lot of things… and a whole lot of planning. It’s the most important decision you’ll ever make because you’ll be putting it all on the line. It’s not a guarantee of success, but the time to get moving is now. I’ve already shown you one way to put that million-dollar idea on the table for one heck of a gamble (by going on The Voice), but if you really want to have a serious impact and make a real difference, and if you’re really ready to make a million-dollar gamble, there are some other tried and true tactics to consider. First, you’re going to have to be open to change. Most of us take ourselves way too seriously when it comes to business, so we need to get serious about the business of ourselves, and then we can get serious about the business of doing what it takes to create a new world for ourselves, our loved ones, and future generations to follow. You can begin by taking the time to understand why people get so excited about what you’re doing or want to do, and then taking a deep dive into your own interests and passions, what you’ve always dreamed of and what you might not have realized is possible for you. Then it’s time to open up your mind to exploring all the things you might be missing out on, because life happens when you’re least expecting it. No matter how much I stress the importance of taking chances on yourself, it’s also equally important to consider that it’s not just going to be all about you, it’s going to take a village. And the best way to do this is to get your hands dirty. Start by finding out what a mentor will have to say about what you’re doing. Ask them for their feedback and advice. There are only so many ideas floating around in the ether, so find a few trusted mentors to help you learn. Then take a step back and work on your business plan, creating a solid strategy to get where you need to be and the tactics that will help you to get there. It might take time to get everything you want from your business, and you should always expect the unexpected. There are no road maps, but there are solid ideas that will help you get around roadblocks and take advantage of opportunities. As I wrote about in The Power of Habit: What You Must Know to Take Control of Your Life, to succeed you’re going to have to be willing to do the work, even when it’s not always easy, and that’s okay. And last but not least, once you’ve come up with an idea and an actual business strategy, find a way to validate it. This will help you to have that million-dollar idea that I mentioned earlier, but it also helps you to sell the world on what you’re doing. Once you’ve got your strategy in place and a solid plan of action to create the world you want, it’s time to work on your marketing. Because nothing sells like a great story. Be prepared to get to work telling the story of why you’re here and what you’re all about. Keep it simple, keep it real, and don’t be afraid to share what you have to say with the world. I have some great resources for you that will help you to take the first steps of your million-dollar gamble. I put a lot of time and effort into creating a business strategy, and I believe it can work for you too. Take some time and watch my entire course The Marketing Secrets of Winning Author, and then get on my email list so you don’t miss out on my monthly emails. You’re only as good as your last paycheck. The key to keeping your income flowing is to generate as much work as possible. As you build your business, you’ll likely find yourself seeking out new opportunities that are more suited to your interests and talents. No matter how lucrative your current job is, you can only perform to your peak if you’re regularly working on something else. First and foremost, you need to do work that you can be proud of. And it’s important to constantly be looking for more. Make a plan for what you want, what you’ll do, and where you’ll go from there. That being said, let’s not stop there. There are ways to take the next step in your personal and professional development, and once you’ve done that, you’ll be armed with the knowledge, inspiration, and experience you need to bring your business to the next level. That’s what it means to be in your personal entrepreneurial zone of power. You’ll find that there are a lot of people who would love to have your job, and the problem is that you don’t have to worry about competition as much as you do in other fields. Every one of us is a jack of all trades, and you have to think outside the box a little more when it comes to marketing. But as much as that might be a challenge, it’s actually a good thing because it leaves you open to lots of different opportunities. As I’ve always said, “It’s all about being in the right place at the right time.” Whether you are an author, a business owner, a speaker, a coach, or an athlete, you’re going to have to constantly be updating your skill set and knowledge base in order to stay ahead of the curve. That’s what I would do if I were in your shoes. It would be worth paying for that mastermind training. Not only will it provide you with a wealth of knowledge, you’ll also build a tight-knit community around your business, which means you’ll be able to connect with others who are at the same level of entrepreneurial mastery and keep yourself motivated at the same time. It really is an invaluable experience, and if you want a group of people to help keep you accountable and give you the tips, tricks, and advice that you need to truly flourish in your business, I highly recommend that you do it. The first three months are normally free, but you can go from $19 per month to more than $1,000 per month, and then once you reach your $1,000 per month goal, you have the option of choosing between two options: $30 per month or a full year for $3,000. Now we can say that we’ve got some competition, but when you’re surrounded by people who are at the same level of business as you are, it’s a lot easier to keep the vision in focus. If you’re curious about our Mastermind Program, check out Make More. I’m actually a big believer in the concept of co-living, and I think the answer is so simple that it’s easy to miss it. If you want to increase your cash flow, increase your productivity and grow your business, why not join up with other people who are on the same path as you are, so you can pool your knowledge together and learn from each other? One of the things I like to remind myself of is that there is no such thing as an overnight success. Even if you’re working on your business full time, you’re still going to have to put in the time and effort to make it successful. As a matter of fact, it’s probably a good idea to have someone else help