This month's quote:
"Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties"
Florida Contractors - We have recently added several new trades to the list of products we offer. The updated Business and Financial Management examination will be used starting in April 2008. The new examination contains some additional content areas. The applicable references have been added to the reference list to support this new content (Chapter 455 F.S., OSHA Parts 1903, 1904, and 1910). The new examination will contain 120 scored items plus 10 pilot items. Additional exam application deadline info at this link:
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/documents/exam_dead.pdf
Utah Contractors - Recently, this state changed their exam administration provider which means that all of the reference document information on our web pages must be re-verified. Please check the new administrator's (PSI) web site for updated information before you begin studying for your exam. Their web address is:
http://www.psiexams.com/
Please note: this site can only be accessed using Internet Explorer. Other browser programs give error messages.
The Five Ingredients for a successful Contracting Business
Ingredient #1
Have a plan. There's a reason you've heard that line repeatedly - because IT WORKS. There's an old expression that goes like this ... "If you don't know where you're going, ANY road will take you there." Doesn't that make sense? It makes a LOT of sense not to try building a house before you lay the foundation.... so why do so many people start a business without a plan for it?
Even if you've already started your business without a plan, it's never too late to begin one. Sit down with a pad of paper and a pen, and start by writing out the months of the year - beginning with next month. For each month, decide where you'd like to be by the end of it - and write it down.
Ingredient #2
Set deadlines to accomplish your plans. Assign 'completion by' dates to each of the different goals you set, and try not to let anything interfere in the completion of these goals! In addition, if anyone else is going to be involved, make sure you decide in advance who will take responsibility for each part of the project.
Ingredient #3
Pay attention to how you spend your time, and be prepared to account for it - not to anyone else, only to yourself. The reason for this is simple - if you have a plan, and you've set goals to reach in order to fulfill that plan, you need to know if your time is being spent accordingly. If you are spending too much time on tasks that take you away from your plan, you may need to re-think what you're doing.
Ingredient #4
Have fun -- enjoy doing whatever you are doing in your business. Of course, in order to be working for the fun of working, you need to be doing something that is fun to do!
If this isn't true for you, maybe you need to start back at #1 on this list. When you're dedicated to building a business in something that you love to do, even the long hours and occasional setbacks will be like 'water off a duck's back' if you're having fun!
Ingredient #5
Keep a positive attitude, even in the face of difficulties. The road to success is littered with obstacles and errors, and it is very likely that you will make some mistakes or run into unforeseen troubles. How well you 'keep your head up' is bound to determine how clearly you'll SEE ahead of you! And one more thing about attitude -- don't start tomorrow, or next week, or next month. If you're feeling depressed about your business, or discouraged, what can you do to change your attitude RIGHT NOW?
Our web site: www.contractorexam.com
