Prepare for Business Takeoff! Fuel up your entrepreneurial spirit, and then let it take flight.

"In preparation for takeoff, please fasten your seat belt, stow your tray tables, and make sure your seat is in the full upright position." When you're flying in a commercial airliner, that's about all the control and responsibility you are given to ensure the flight gets where you want to go, safely and on time. The rest is up to the pilot and the hundreds of other people you never meet or see--just the same as it is when you work for someone else.

When you start exploring the business passion in your heart, you purchase your own jet. Takeoff preparations are radically different. You have to gain self-confidence, double-check all the tools and instruments, and ensure your craft is safe to fly. As you taxi out of the gate, you begin to realize that you're truly in control. Unlike flying in a group to a fixed destination, under someone else's rules, you set your own course. If you want, you can even change the destination midflight. With the right preparation, your flight will be exhilarating. So get your entrepreneurial jet ready for takeoff by:

1. Pulling up to the gate. You have to sell yourself before you can sell anyone else. The belief that you can achieve success is what creates a successful entrepreneur. Your partner, a parent or a friend can testify that you have wonderful potential, but that's not enough. You have to persuade yourself you can succeed, so you can eventually persuade others to pay good money for what you are creating. Take control of your craft by believing that your dream is achievable, no matter how long it takes or what obstacles you may face. This belief frees your mind to fly, and you'll discover the right course to make your dream a reality.