As an attorney who represents many start-ups and entrepreneurs on the verge of making the leap to independence, each of their cases brings with it a sense of excitement and anticipation. I am always elated to assist entrepreneurs make their dreams become reality.
People become entrepreneurs for a variety of reasons: they are tired of the corporate environment and building someone else’s dream instead of their own. They want more flexibility to create. Others have grown to love a hobby and want to take it to the next level. Many entrepreneurs have simply come to realize that working for oneself is a smart survival strategy. In this economy, jobs are not secure; betting on yourself and your abilities puts the ball squarely in your court, and largely under your control. And, while there are some basic ground rules to follow, you must realize that there is no absolute right way to run your own business. Most of it is up to you.
This post is for those of you who are afraid to make the leap. For you who have amazing, innovative, unique new ways of doing something that has already been done. Or for you who have thought of a unique way to solve a problem. For you who hesitate to make your dream a reality.
Being your own boss can be the key to unlocking positive outcomes for your life. Starting your own business may involve a high level of risk, will require a great deal of time and effort, and will likely tax your finances as you make it grow without a safety net. This is the path of most entrepreneurs.
Scary as it is, if you really want to be the captain of your own destiny, you cannot let fear deter you. “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
You may feel overwhelmed, asking, “‘How do I start?’ Because I really don’t know where to start.” You may be afraid of the time and effort it will take, the funds that you feel you don’t have. and so much more. “How do I work a full time job and start a business (if I don’t have the financial means to quit my job and start my business)?” It may appear as if there are many roadblocks to doing this thing called entrepreneurship. But, if you step out on faith and do the thing you think you cannot do, the confident you that envisions your future as an entrepreneur will become a reality instead of a dream.
Living your purpose is a fulfilling and beautiful experience if your embrace the process. The goal is to be happy with what you choose to do, and not let the fear of failure overcome you. Know that you can do this. Know that you can succeed and make your dreams come true. Know that not only must you do that thing you think you cannot do, but that you CAN do it and you WILL succeed.
If you have that winning idea and deep down you know that bringing it to life is what you really want, then you must “do that thing”. If the challenge of running a successful business excites you, then you must “do that thing”. If you want to have control of your schedule, your family life and your destiny, you must “do that thing”.
Entrepreneurs make decisions every day, from big ones - like buying a building, to small ones - like deciding on what office supplies to buy. As an entrepreneur, you must be ready to be the boss, to make good decisions, to deal with rejection and excessive demand, to be alone at the top, and, finally, to love what you do. If this is you, and you believe you are ready, but something is holding you back, I say again, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”