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5 Lifestyle Business Myths Debunked

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How awesome would it be to travel to cool countries while still making money? The first time I heard someone talk about “lifestyle business,” I thought they were lying.

Making money online seemed like a dream, but in the last three years, I have seen it’s possible.

For 12 years, I worked a physical job that I hated. I woke up at midnight to deliver bread and deal with angry customers at grocery stores. The first time I heard a podcast talking about lifestyle business, I was hooked. I wanted a lifestyle that involved travel and location independence, so my family could move to Maui, Hawaii.

When I put my toe in the water in 2011 by self-publishing my first book, I got a rude awakening with the all too common experience of not selling any books. I turned to the Internet for answers but all I got was myths and commonly-accepted hype.

Here are five lifestyle business myths I had to overcome to build my dream business and life:

 

1. The money is in the niche

One of the most common pieces of advice you get when building an online business is to “niche down.” You’re told the more you niche, the more money you can make. While industry-specific niches can be profitable—such as teaching Real Estate or how to become a flight attendant—theme specific niches need to be more general.

One of the best ways to build traffic to your online business is by writing for large authority websites such as the Huffington Post, or Entrepreneur Magazine. These sites have millions of visitors, being too specific won’t appeal to the wider audience. There is money in certain niches, but niching isn’t the only way to build.

 

2. Copying successful entrepreneurs work

Just because a strategy or way of running an online business worked for someone else, doesn’t mean it will work out for you. In fact, it’s very unlikely you can duplicate someone else’s success by copying. Your goal should be to model success and systems. Not copy them.

People buy from someone they know, like, and trust. That happens when people connect with you and that connection can’t come when you’re copying. Be you. Be original. What makes you who you are is what helps you and your business stand out.

“Instead of wondering when your next vacation is going to be, why not create a life you don’t have to escape from.” – Seth Godin

3. Become an expert

While there is some truth in becoming an expert, the way that it’s taught isn’t helpful. People connect with people, not “experts.” If they don’t like or respect you as a person, it doesn’t matter what you’ve accomplished. True experts focus on adding value to their audience, not pushing titles to impress people.

You become a real expert when you add value to your audience. When you continue to learn and hone your craft, when you build a loyal following and they connect with your message, then you become an “expert.

 

4. Create more products and courses

When you see entrepreneurs who haven’t been successful online, it’s because they’re focused too much on the products and courses. They’re always designing a new course and creating new products, but don’t have an audience to sell them too.

If you only have ten minutes, you should spend eight of those minutes building your audience, one-minute creating the offering, and one minute resting. Building an audience is the hard part and the step too many people don’t spend enough time on. Build your audience now—even if you don’t have anything to sell. Having an audience means you can always sell later.

 

5. You will make money quickly

One of the most dangerous myths is that you can build an online business and make money quickly. The people preaching this myth are probably trying to sell you their program or course. Before you buy into the myth, realize that this lifestyle takes time to build.

There are 900 million websites, 250 million blogs, and 150,000 podcasts. No matter what your business topic is, many others are also talking about the same thing. It takes time to stand out from the crowd and build a solid foundation. You only get what you put into this. If you hustle, you can build quicker, but it will still take time.

Brendon Burchard
Once I was able to see the truth, I was able to build my business. It was slow going at first, but I was able to eventually leave that job I hated. Today, I operate a six-figure-a-year business from my home base in Maui, Hawaii. The business supported our move here 14 months ago.

Waking up every day and experiencing the freedom to spend my days on the things that are important to me is priceless. I wasted so many years existing and have made my goal to live truly for the rest of my days. I hope you’ll join me.

Don’t accept these myths. Build a successful lifestyle business on the side and with focus.

Kimanzi Constable is an author of four books and a writer whose articles have been published in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, Business Insider, SUCCESS Magazine, NBC, CBS, FOX, and 80 other publications and magazines. He is the co-founder of Results Global Impact Consulting and Senior Editor at The Good Men Project. Learn more and get a free guide at kconstable.com.

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15 Business Lessons From Napoleon’s Playbook

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Business Lessons and strategies from Napoleon Bonaparte for Entrepreneurs and CEO's
Image Credit | Joel Brown

Unleash your business potential by harnessing Napoleon’s strategic genius.

From dreaming big and thinking bold to moving fast and staying agile, these time-tested tactics are your blueprint for success.

Learn how creative leadership, detailed planning, and relentless execution can transform your business landscape. Boost morale, lead with clarity, and embrace hard work to conquer your industry.

Don’t just survive—thrive with the power of Napoleon’s lessons.

Here are 15 Powerful Lessons You Can Learn From Napoleon Bonaparte

 

1. Dream Big, Think Bold

Napoleon wasn’t just playing small; he believed that “Imagination rules the world.” In the business world, boldness and creativity are game-changers. Don’t just aim to fit in—push boundaries and set ambitious goals that make you stand out.

Think of Steve Jobs, who didn’t just want to make computers; he wanted to revolutionize entire industries. Your vision should be so grand it almost feels unreachable. When you dream big, you inspire those around you to believe in the impossible and work together to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

2. Move Fast, Stay Agile

Napoleon’s quick and secretive moves gave him an edge. In business, you gotta be nimble. Adapt quickly, move fast, and you’ll often find yourself ahead of the game, capturing opportunities your competitors miss.

Companies like Amazon and Tesla thrive because they constantly innovate and pivot when needed. Speed is your friend; it allows you to react to market changes and customer demands faster than the competition, ensuring you remain relevant and ahead of the curve.

3. Creative Leadership

Napoleon thrived on chaos and wasn’t afraid to switch things up. Unlike rigid leaders, he was flexible and adaptive. In business, embrace change and let chaos work for you. Being adaptable can turn unpredictable situations into opportunities.

Think of how Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to a streaming giant. Flexibility and creativity in leadership allow you to navigate through turmoil and emerge stronger, transforming challenges into stepping stones.

 

4. Organize Like a Pro

Napoleon’s mind was like a supercomputer, processing vast amounts of info to make smart moves. Businesses should do the same—stay organized, use real-time data, and adapt strategies based on fresh insights to keep that competitive edge.

Utilize modern tools like CRM systems, analytics software, and AI to manage information efficiently. Staying organized and informed means you can make better decisions, foresee potential issues, and react promptly.

 

5. Keep It Simple

Napoleon knew the power of simplicity. Overcomplicating things can bog you down. In business, streamline processes and focus on what truly matters to hit your goals efficiently.

Apple’s product design philosophy under Jobs was about simplicity and user-friendliness.When you remove unnecessary complexity, you reduce errors, speed up processes, and make it easier for your team to focus on what’s important, driving efficiency and effectiveness.

 

6. Execute Relentlessly

Once Napoleon decided on a course of action, he went all in. In business, once you pick a direction, pursue it with full commitment. Execution is where success is truly made.

Look at how Elon Musk commits to his vision for SpaceX and Tesla. Relentless execution means overcoming obstacles, staying focused on your goals, and not getting distracted by setbacks. It’s the determination and persistence in execution that ultimately leads to triumph.

 

7. Play to Your Strengths

Napoleon only fought battles he knew he could win. In business, focus on your strengths and avoid head-to-head fights in areas where you’re weak. Know your advantages and leverage them.

Microsoft leverages its strength in software development and cloud services rather than trying to compete directly in hardware. Understanding and maximizing your strengths ensures you play a game you can win, using your unique capabilities to outshine competitors.

 

8. Plan in Detail

Napoleon planned for every possible scenario. Businesses should do the same—conduct thorough planning and prepare for various outcomes.

Detailed planning helps you stay ready for anything. Scenario planning and SWOT analysis are tools that can help you foresee different futures and prepare accordingly. When you’re prepared for multiple scenarios, you can adapt smoothly and continue to drive forward, no matter what challenges arise.

 

9. Seize Opportunities

Napoleon saw luck as the ability to capitalize on accidents. In business, be prepared and ready to grab unexpected opportunities. Agility is key.

Companies like Uber and Airbnb seized gaps in the market by being ready to pounce on opportunities when they arose. Always be on the lookout for opportunities, and when they come, don’t hesitate. Preparation and readiness to act quickly can turn unexpected moments into major breakthroughs.

 

10. Learn from the Past

Napoleon studied the greats who came before him. Entrepreneurs should always be learning from the successes and failures of others. History is full of lessons waiting to be applied.

Warren Buffett is famous for studying businesses and market histories. By learning from the past, you can avoid repeating mistakes, understand what works, and build on proven strategies. Continuous learning from history helps refine your strategies and improve decision-making.

 

11. Boost Morale

Napoleon knew how to keep his troops motivated. Business leaders should do the same—keep your team inspired and engaged. High morale leads to high productivity.

Companies like Google and Salesforce invest heavily in employee well-being and motivation. When your team feels valued and motivated, they are more productive, innovative, and loyal. High morale fosters a positive work environment where people are excited to contribute and excel.

 

12. Lead with Clarity

Napoleon believed in the power of a strong, decisive leader. In business, clear direction and strong leadership are crucial. Ensure everyone knows the plan and follows it.

Leaders like Jeff Bezos provide a clear vision and direction, ensuring their teams know what they’re working towards. Clear, decisive leadership aligns your team, fosters trust, and drives coordinated efforts towards achieving your business goals.

 

13. Reflect on Failures

Napoleon analyzed both his wins and losses. Businesses should review their successes and failures to keep improving. Learn from mistakes to avoid repeating them.

Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates emphasizes the importance of learning from failure in his book Principles. By conducting post-mortems, you can understand what went wrong, make necessary adjustments, and continuously refine your strategies to avoid future pitfalls and drive success.

 

14. Action-Oriented

Napoleon was all about turning thoughts into actions. In business, decisiveness and execution are vital. Don’t just plan—act on those plans with energy and determination.

Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson embody this principle by constantly moving from ideas to actions. Action orientation ensures that you don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis but instead drive forward, making things happen and turning visions into reality.

 

15. Embrace Hard Work

Napoleon lived and breathed work, saying, “Work is my element; I am born and built for work.”

In business, a strong work ethic and relentless dedication are key to success. Think of how Howard Schultz rebuilt Starbucks through sheer hard work and determination. Embracing hard work means being willing to put in the necessary effort, staying dedicated to your mission, and continuously pushing towards your goals, no matter the challenges.

 

By implementing these lessons from Napoleon, businesses can sharpen their strategies, strengthen leadership, and execute with precision, driving sustained success.

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