I Did It My Way When it comes to starting a business, you can dive right in or test the waters first--whatever works for you.

Each of us has our own way of entering a pool. A few of us stick a toe in to test the temperature. Some carefully lower themselves in, hoping to slowly get used to the water. Others leap off the edge, plunging right in and creating a giant splash. The pattern is the same when you start your own business. Entrepreneurship is about creating your own rules. Just because a specific tactic works for one pioneer doesn't mean it will work for everyone. For every person who follows strict timetables and plans when starting a business, there's another who succeeds by breaking all the rules.

A secret success strategy is to discover what works for you by taking action according to your personality and gut feelings. Begin by creating a method I like to call "My Way":

1. Start fresh. Release any guilt or regret about what you haven't accomplished. Define, to the best of your ability, the business you want to create. Make your statement a reflection of your personality. Then let it go. As you investigate the real world, your idea will transform. Be open to all the possibilities you discover.