Jessica Sanders is an avid small business writer touching on topics from social media to payroll services. She writes for an online resource that gives advice on topics including VOIP phone systems for lead generation resource, Resource Nation. 

When it comes to guidance for your business, Dr. Seuss may not be on your list of people to get advice from. Yet, running a successful small business – whether it’s a blog or online store – requires out of the box thinking. Who is the king of creative ideas? Dr. Seuss, of course.

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities.” – Dr. Seuss

Starting your business requires infinite amounts of passion and desire. With a bump around each corner, your love for the business may be the final thread of hope.

• “Today is your day, your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way!”

Lesson: Everyday is a new beginning, and whether there is a mountain, a valley or an open field, you just have to go with it. In small business, stress overcoming passion is a significant reason for small business failure.

Be Logical

As you have your successes and failures, you find that the roller coaster never stops. From highs to lows, you experience it all. However, your success relies on your ability to understand that whether you’re up today or down tomorrow, it’s all part of the ride.

• “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

Lesson: It might get difficult, but the key is to know when to use your heart and when to use your head. Don’t overanalyze a complicated situation with your heart; instead see the simple fix with your mind.

Be Resilient

When the stress begins to creep in, it’s easy to throw it all away. Doubt clouds your thoughts, and it seems easier to let it all go then push through to the end.

• “Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s a great balancing act.”

Lesson: The ups keep the downs in balance. Always keep it in perspective.

Be Open

Any professional blogger or business owner knows the importance of keeping it fresh. This requires you to be innovating and improving; never ready to settle when there is more that can be done.

• “Think and wonder, wonder and think.”

Lesson: Never stop wondering. What else? What if? The untouchable is just barely out of your reach, but not for long.

Be Unafraid

Any small business owner knows you have to be fearless. When everyone else says you’re crazy, you have to believe in yourself.

• “You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go.”

Lesson: You are the one in charge of yourself, your business, and your destiny. Take hold of your business, and make it what you want it to be.

Be an Entrepreneur

Every entrepreneur knows that you’re signing up for a knock down drag out fight to the bitter finale. With yourself, with your business, it doesn’t end… until it does. And until that happens, you have to accept it with open arms.

• “Everything stinks till it’s finished”

Lesson: It’s going to be hard, it’s going to be stressful, and you’re going to have doubts. But when it’s done, and you’ve made your own success, you’ll realize why it was all worth it.

You’re an entrepreneur, you think out of the box. While Dr. Seuss seems like an unusual business mentor, his creative way of seeing the world can be greatly beneficial to you. Being successful requires innovation, motivation and the ability to laugh at yourself. Who better to turn to for that?