That was one of the driving beliefs behind the success of Vince Lombardi, Hall of Fame football Coach who never had a losing season. He was a noted taskmaster and if you think you're too old to work that hard, think again. Lombardi was 45 years old before he even began coaching.

The balanced life people have done their best to make workaholic a bad word but there are times when it is an absolute necessity. One of those times is when you are trying to build a fledgling company into a major success.

Stories about the work habits of such highly successful people as Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Oprah, Bill Clinton and others are legendary. The one thing they all have in common is hard work, perseverance and sacrifice. J. A. Konrath, the author of the Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller novels Whisky Sour, Bloody May and Rusty Nail, made up a Steps to Success list for business owners that included advice such as: Sleep is for babies and old women...If you have anything left in the tank at the end of the day, you didn't work hard enough...There's a word for someone who never gives up---successful...Vacation is a perfect opportunity to work hard in a different location...Work smarter AND harder...You don't win races without facing some injuries and Pain is temporary. This list was meant to be tongue in cheek but the author himself. looking at it later, said "It isn't as silly as I'd intended it to be".

Obviously this isn't a recipe for leading a balanced life but it's not bad advice for someone in the early stages of building a successful business. Thankfully, you don't have to do this forever. Once your business is an established success, you can live "normally". Even Bill Gates, arguably the hardest working man alive, has stepped away from Microsoft to spend more time being a Philanthropist. He also now has a family and a home, things he had no time for in the early days of Microsoft. It helps to love what you're doing; then it doesn't seem like so much hard work. So, choose your business carefully, not just for it's monetary potential but for the fun and satisfaction you will get from doing it, good times and bad.

• Avoid Apu-like Hours: Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is the Indian business owner of the local Springfield convenience store Kwik-E-Mart. He is an overly dedicated businessman who says "Thank you, come again!" to all customers good and bad, even armed robbers. Apu is a chronic workaholic who once worked a continuous ninety-six hour shift causing him to hallucinate he was a hummingbird.
  
  It's far too easy as a small business owner to be constantly busy. Overwork can impact your decision-making skills and wreak havoc on your family life - not to mention turn you into a hummingbird. At the onset of building a business, long hours are required. Put systems in place, hire staff, automate, and outsource so you don't have to be a workaholic like Apu.
  
  
• D'Ohl Yourself: Who can forget the funny, catch-phrase of Homer when things go wrong? This phrase has led to memorable show titles including "C.E. D'Oh" and "We're on the Road to D'ohwhere." So powerful is the expression that 20th Century Fox applied for trademark protection.
  
  Every small business vying for attention in today's information glut society can use a memorable, catch phrase to stand out. Jim Cramer of CNBC's Mad Money uses the term, "Boo-Yah" referring to "are you ready to make some money?" Taco Bell's "Think Outside the Bun" promotes Mexican Food. A good catch-phrase can make you unforgettable.
  
  
• Protect Your Flaming Homer: In one episode, Homer reveals his drink recipe to Moe's failing tavern business when the bar's taps run dry. The Flaming Homer soon becomes Moe's knock-off, the Flaming Moe, and business booms.
  
  Every good business has a Flaming Homer. A special product or method of achieving great results, a CocaCola-like formula. To succeed in business; sharing ideas, and getting feedback is necessary. But don't reveal your secrets to a competitor. When disclosing sensitive information, use a non-compete agreement. Don't get carried away and have everybody sign it. The business lesson here is to protect your money winners.
  
  
• Spread the Ned: Ned Flanders' venture into the retail business teaches an important business lesson. Homer becomes jealous of Ned's new left-handed product store, the Leftorium. Homer doesn't support his friend's business and watches as the operation fails. Feeling guilty, Homer steps up and starts telling all the lefties in Springfield of the Leftorium. Spreading the word of Ned's business brings the retail store newfound success and a saved friendship.
  
  Word of mouth marketing can mean the difference between success and failure for any start-up, as Homer learned. Friends telling friends creates higher credibility and sales than a one-off ad. Build the word for your business by actively networking. Create excitement and buzz around your company. Connect with influential contacts and trend setters in your market.
  
  
• Don't Krusty a Promotion: Krusty the Clown is hardly a business role model. Krusty's business ethics run beyond unethical, his products include bubble gum containing spider eggs and a home pregnancy test that may cause birth defects. Krusty runs a promotion to capitalize on the Olympic Games and boost sales at his chain of burger joints. Krusty riggs a scratch-and-win promotion offering a free Krusty burger to people who scratch the matching event to a U.S. gold medal win. The problem was that the cards were stacked favoring Sovietdominated events. Krusty ends up losing when the Soviets boycott the Olympics.
  
  Running contest and sweepstakes can provide a boost to your business. Take precautions to abide by the law. For instance, the Federal Trade Commission states "when a 'free' offer is tied to the purchase of another product, the price of the purchased product should not be increased from its regular price." Be safe, not a Krusty. -