By Tina Hilton of Clerical Advantage

As entrepreneurs, whether virtual assistants or any other business venture, we start out with a bright, positive outlook. We’re excited about what we have to offer and optimistic about how successful we’re going to be offering it to others. The excitement bubbles over and we attack whatever we need to do with gusto.

But then something happens along the way. For VA’s it’s often the difficulty in finding that first client, or sufficient clients to keep the business rolling along. It seems like the real world comes crashing down on our enthusiasm and douses us with the ice cold bucket of reality. At this point, it’s easy to get discouraged and depressed.

It’s at that point when so many small business owners say “It’s too hard.”

I’m not going to make light of it here or refer to the little engine that could. If you’re at this point in your business, you’ve already repeated every inspirational quote to yourself a hundred times.What I am going to tell you is that every business owner hits this point. Yes, even the ones that have thriving and successful businesses.

So what’s the secret?

Are they the lucky ones that just happened to stumble across that client just when they needed one? Although it may seem that way, the answer is no.

The difference is in the way they deal with business roadblocks.

Have you ever noticed that some of the most successful people ‘hit it big’ when they are at their lowest point?

J.K. Rowling immediately comes to mind, but there are tons of stories about people who were in desperate situations and found success in the midst of it. It’s not just a coincidence or fate. The fact is, when you’re in that situation and things aren’t working, you have no choice but to find a way to make it work. Instead of making excuses you make changes. If you’re not attracting clients, you come up with some way of doing so, even if that way is farfetched or never been tried. You take chances because failure isn’t an option.

Granted it’s a unenviable situation, but it forces them to continue forward, because the alternative is unthinkable. In fact, I doubt they even entertain the thought of not succeeding, they just focus all of that energy on what they can do in order to succeed.

I’m not suggesting that you put yourself in that type of situation in order to succeed. But I am telling you that you need to think more the way they do. Instead of thinking that you might fail, think of ways to change your situation. No idea is too crazy. Just because someone else hasn’t done it yet, doesn’t mean it won’t work. Stop those internal thoughts that say “If I don’t get a client or more clients I’m going to have to close my business and forget my dream” . Replace them with “I need to find a new way to get the attention of clients that need my services.”

If you’re defeated in your mind, how then can you expect your business to succeed?

Think about it this way. If you’re traveling to a destination and come upon a roadblock, what do you do? Do you just sit there and hope that the roadblock will somehow magically disappear or do you find another route to reach your destination?  Stop waiting for the roadblocks to disappear and find your alternate route.

If you have questions concerning virtual assistance or have an interest in working with a virtual assistant you can contact Tina Hilton or visit her business website for Clerical Advantage.