Business Building Corner

Being purposeful is about being focused. Purposefulness can be defined as how firmly you tackle your responsibilities. Its partner in business building success is perseverance, which is about not giving up.

Success coaches say that purposefulness is part of some people’s natures. However, if this is not a trait you are born with, you can train yourself to be purposeful. One of the ways to develop the habit of purposefulness is simply to imitate the behavior of those who are focused on their goals. For example, people who smile often make themselves a little bit happier just by the mere act of smiling. People who walk and talk with purpose tend to be more focused. There actually is a science behind “fake it until you make it.” In other words, act the way you want to become and you will become that way.

Purposefulness starts inside you
Practice positive thinking and it will make a big difference on your productivity. For example, when you think negatively about your efforts, it will de-motivate you and decrease the amount of good work you do. When you can channel a can-do attitude, your productivity will improve, both consciously and unconsciously.

Some philosophers define purposefulness as a virtue that relates directly to optimism. Optimists tend to think positively—regardless of how bleak a situation may be, there is always the silver lining. Positive thinkers tend to be successful people, because in believing there will be a good outcome, they move forward with confidence. For example, LifePharm Founder & CEO Wicky Suyanto keeps a small wooden noteholder on his desk that reads, “Easy—think positive.”

Exercises to develop purposefulness
Life coaches have actual “exercises” for people to practice to develop purposefulness. Here are five basic activities:

1. Choose one purposeful trait and focus on it: Take a physical trait of a purposeful person (the way he or she walks or talks) and focus on it for a specified period of time—a few days, a week or more. For example, if your goal is to be more assertive when talking about LifePharm products or the business opportunity, try to speak this way in every conversation where you are presenting the company. Record your progress daily and focus on your goal throughout the day. By the end of your specified time, see if you have developed the new habit of speaking with authority and confidence.
2. Keep a journal of optimism: Write down all the positive events of the day. This is a good way to make you think in a positive way and to consciously work on this trait. Writing down your positive experiences makes them more concrete and memorable. This in turn helps you develop this way of thinking.
3. Be with positive people: Spend more time with people who are upbeat and positive. Try to avoid people who focus on the negative. The way people treat you becomes part of who you are. As the saying goes, “birds of a feather flock together.” Choose a positive, optimistic tribe to be yours.
4. Improve your work ethic: Create goals and find ways to improve the way you build your LifePharm business. Having new goals will give you a greater sense of purpose toward your business. Your enthusiastic for business building will be infectious and you will attract those who are interested in becoming IBOs, too.
5. Be open to change: Educate yourself on what you need to do to achieve your long-term professional goals. Learn what personal traits the people in your upline organization have, and what steps they had to take before they reached their ranks of Silver IBO and above. Learn about networking and how to present the LifePharm products and opportunity—via the Resources in your Virtual Office, the public website, the healthcare practitioners’ website, brochures, videos and endorsements. Next, learn how you can develop these skills, traits, and contacts, and make educated goals that will position yourself to become a successful LifePharm business builder.