Startup financing is something that’s necessary but not always a welcome prospect. In fact, financing is typically one of the most difficult factors in any venture. It’s because raising money or applying for a loan is an unnerving process. After all, you don’t know what you don’t know. And, it’s that very ignorance which creates even more stress. But, with the right preparation, you can find the right startup financing. Startup Financing Sources Right now, there are good and bad signs in the economy. While tech companies are booming, retail chains are down. Of course, this is the natural cycle of the business world. So, don’t let headlines ruin your business dreams. Instead, focus on possible startup financing sources. Take a good look at what you really need first. If possible, bootstrap it incrementally. In other words, start off as a side gig. …for an entrepreneur starting out, it can be hard to sort through the many funding options available to determine which are most lucrative. While it would be ideal to line a roomful of investors out and let them fight it out for the honor of funding your business, that is often, unfortunately, not the reality. —Forbes.com If you don’t jump into full-time, you can grow it slowly. That means very little startup capital, as well as time. But, if you need to go another route, consider going through the small business administration. Or, take out a small personal loan. Obviously, if you have the cash, use it. Startup Financing Tips You can Use The problem many entrepreneurs encounter with startup financing, is taking a cavalier, shotgun approach. Put another way, they go after funding without a serious plan. And, that’s a recipe for disaster. Just trying to wing it will only invite chaos and confusion. So, here are some helpful startup financing tips you can use: Create a detailed business plan. Speak with an experienced business consultant about drafting a detailed business plan. This will reveal many things you might easily miss. Plus, it’s typically a commercial loan requirement. You need a clear roadmap and demonstrate your ability to monetize your idea. Seek advice from established businesses. Chances are excellent there are already people doing what you want. So, don’t let that be an intimidation or just look at them as the dreaded competition. Instead, seek out their advice and learn. Keep an eye on your personal credit score. If you do apply for a loan, your personal credit file will certainly be a big factor. Order your three credit files from Annual Credit Report.com. Then, go through each carefully to review for errors. Dispute inaccuracies and raise your credit score. Develop a good network with the right people. Networking is an invaluable resource. In fact, you’ll learn quite a lot from others. And, since that knowledge is readily available, there’s no reason not to tap into it. Outline a realistic budget and shop for financing. Finally, set a realistic budget and then shop for funding. Comparison shop and take your time. You’ll come out much better if you do and be thankful for your patience. What other startup financing options can you add to the list? Have you found or know more creative ways to get startup financing? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

You’re busy. No, you’re super busy. People might even say super-duper busy. As usual, there’s more to do than hours in the day. And, your schedule isn’t slowing down. You’ve got to do X before Y and then onto Z. But, you can’t seem to shake the notion you’re not actually get anything done. It’s not due to a lack of effort. However, it can easily be explained simply by distractions. Top Focus Problems People Suffer From Now, there are several things you can quit doing to be more successful. But, even the most self-disciplined individual isn’t immune from distractions. After all, distractions are everywhere you turn. No matter where you are or what you’re doing. And, it’s not just technology. Sure, smartphones, social media, and more are all culprits. What’s more, you’re not alone if you feel distracted. In fact, the average person’s mind wanders when doing a task between 15 and 20 percent of the time. That statistic, according to Canadian researcher Jonathan Schooler. We created the labor-saving devices that catalyzed the unplanned explosion within which we live today. But as enlightened managers everywhere are learning, we can learn to manage what we created. When we learn how to take back controls that we’ve given away, we can get better at managing our attention and not surrendering it to every distraction. —Fast Company Therefore, if a wandering mind is so prominent, what can be done about it? That’s a good question. And, the answer lies in identifying precisely the cause. You know you’re not a scobberlotcher, an idle person who just sits at a desk, twiddling your thumbs. But, you’re certainly not immune to distractions. Distractions break down focus. If you want to improve your productivity, you’ve got to key in on the cause. Here are the top focus problems people suffer from: Lack of sleep. We all know what it’s like to work through a drowsy day. It’s uncomfortable at the very least. So, don’t let sleep deprivation be an obstacle. Get into a routine that helps you to get a good night sleep. Unplug from technology about an hour before you go to bed. And, be sure to go to bed at a reasonable hour. No priorities. Okay, you have an end goal but along the way, there are many, many different tasks. Without prioritizing them, you’re creating a stressful, chaotic situation. And, it will typically result in a lack of focus precisely because there’s little to no prioritization. Give everything a priority and reap the rewards. Stress. Speaking of stress, when you try to multitask, you’re inviting undue stress. Think about it this way, if you’re trying to do more than one thing at a time, would that cause you to feel more stress? Sure it would. So, put your focus on one thing at a time. Lifestyle. Stress is just one factor; lifestyle is another legitimate cause. You can lose focus because you’re not eating a healthy diet. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and more all make focus easier. Plus, you’ll feel better when you have a healthy lifestyle. How do you maintain your focus? What methods do you use to keep on task? Have you found different ways to deal with distractions? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.