Skills or beliefs; this may well be another example of the age-old "chicken or the egg" dilemna. I tend to side more strongly with beliefs. I'll give you a story to illustrate why.

I've always admired eagles. They're graceful predators that command the skies...usually. But how many times have you witnessed a situation like this?

One day I was watching a mating pair of eagles circling overhead. I was in awe of their grace, beauty and strength. Then I noticed two other much smaller birds, sparrows perhaps, giving chase.

The sparrows circled quickly, dove at the eagles' heads, then rose quickly to circle again and make another dive. Over and over. The eagles managed maneuver after maneuver to evade the attacks by the sparrows. Gradually the eagles moved off, finally disappearing into the distance. The sparrows returned to their nest and eggs or babies (no doubt).

What just happened? Because sparrows are smaller and more agile than hawks, and can more easily position themselves for attack, their self-confidence is strong. Because sparrows are less fragile than hawks, and do not fear feather damage to the same degree, their self-confidence is strong. Because sparrows are quicker than hawks, so they can more easily retreat if they have to, their self-confidence is strong. And because their need was greater, they succeeded.

I'm not saying skill isn't important. If those sparrows didn't know how to fly, or didn't know how to use their physical advantages, they wouldn't have succeeded. But I do believe that the deciding factors were self-confidence born of skill and knowing their advantages, and need derived from the instinct to protect their young.

How does this translate to business? You must be HUNGRY to succeed, you must be CONFIDENT that you will, and you must have the SKILLS to apply with this DRIVE.

No one is born with business skills. Internet millionaire-ism isn't genetic. Read everything you can get your hands on; find someone who's been there, done that and follow where s/he leads; find a company, program, or system that is ethical, honest, and works, and STICK WITH IT as if your life depended on it. Want to know where you can go to get this kind of information, motivaton and inspiration?

A few ideas and some links:

The Resources page on my website: http://www.work-at-home-business-opportunity- canada.com/resources.html where you can find links to:

1. The latest information, advice, special offers, and tools you need immediately, accessible online, anytime, day or night, updated weekly: International Association of Home Business Entrepreneurs

2. Cory Rudyl's latest update; learn from the millionaire himself: "Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business on the Internet, 2005"

3. This is maybe the man I admire most in marketing, Dr. Joe "Mr. Fire" Vitale; his website, where you can learn about Spiritual Marketing: http://www.mrfire.com

Home business success is more than just a program or book. It's learning self-discipline, focus, determination, perseverance and fortitude that will carry you through the inevitable down times. It's knowing that the universe provides, abundance and security are your right, prosperity is flowing your way.

Armed with the knowledge and personal skills necessary, your self confidence will overflow. Remember the sparrows and the eagles: size ISN'T everything.

Glenn Beach is a poet, writer and home business entrepreneur in Nova Scotia, Canada. Free newsletter, more articles, and business start-up info at: http://www.work-at-home-business-opportunity-canada.com