The buck starts when you're ready

Lots of people say they need to make money because they're broke or an unfavorable financial experience left them in debt.  You may have heard whiners complain yet, do nothing.  You may imagine nothing better could happen to you right now than being blown out of your own financial troubles, only to land in a fortune that would leave you, as they say, 'high and dry.'  The lottery?

Imagination alone is unlikely to blow you anywhere.  Even winning the lottery would require you to go out and at least  buy a ticket. But even then, what are your chances?  Creating financial success in your life will happen only when you not only think you're completely ready for it, and expect it, but also when you have learned from what you've done or chose not to pursue before. Devoting time and exerting effort is meaningless if you have no sense of direction or plan.

You may have heard the phrase, "the buck stops here." This may stem from the poker card game in which a process using a marker or counter indicates the person who is next to deal. If this player doesn't wish to deal, he can pass responsibility by passing the "buck," as the counter came to be called, to the next player. In reality, you hold responsibility for your life and this isn't something that can be passed over to anyone else. You must be willing to do what it takes to move ahead yourself. This includes defining what moving ahead financially or otherwise means.

Consider these 7 tips to get the ball rolling in your favor:

1) Write a business plan. Whether or not you had a business that ended, you'll need some kind of feasibility study to map out what you plan to do next, why, for whom and the projected costs.

2) Conduct research. You may begin with Internet searches, but clarifying your business strategy would benefit from networking, joining associations, reading trade journals and seeking mentors. What has been done in your area of interest before? How would you stand apart from the crowd?

3) Reflect on past experience. Determine the hard lessons you have learned when situations have not evolved in ways you had envisaged. Why do you think that happened? What will you do differently next time? How could you apply this experience to benefit your new project?

4) Identify your assets. Regardless of your background, you have developed transferable skills. What do you think they are? Examine your strengths and weaknesses and how they would apply to your new venture. What advice will you need to compensate for your lack of expertise?

5) Isolate potential investors. If you have money saved, you may be your own financial backer. However, many businesses require an influx of capital. Consider prospective lenders, look into which details they would require in a proposal. Look into the kinds of risks venture capitalists and other investors have made and why. Don't be afraid to ask what motivated past decisions.

6) Discuss your idea. Seeking advice and feedback from outsiders can be useful. Not everyone will understand or approve of your tentative business plan. Yet, these people are the ones who could assist you most to fine-tune your ideas into a feasible strategy. Share with people you trust.

7) Build your confidence. One of the most effective ways to gain support and encouragement for your endeavours is to believe in them. As you finalize your plans and set out to make your dream a reality, remember you're your biggest fan. Reflect the enthusiasm you seek to attract.