I wanted to christen this blog with a post that would set the groundwork for much more to come.
…or, even better, to ditch some weight that’s bogged me down for quite some time.
One of the reasons why I decided to create this site (you know, other than adding another place to collect my coffee-fueled thoughts) is to share my opinions on living a life that’s in my own hands.
So, to start off strong, what could be better than a thought-provoking (potentially) write-up on Entrepreneurship?
To do that, however, it means touching on the things that strike a chord deep down in my own gut.
That means it’s time to get personal…
Connection = Direction
The people who I hope would find this post interesting to read are the same people who’ve read the “4-hour Workweek” or “Jab, Jab, Jab, Left Hook”, and their the same people who just know deep down that they were ready for the “grind”.
Now this is not the only set of people who I wish to attract with this blog. I have a lot of interests, and would love to explore ideas across each one. Yet, since the topics discussed in both of those two books take up a larger part of my daily interests, it only seems right to say these are the people who would appreciate this first post.
While I’m not exactly interested creating a lavish SF tech startup—I do want to create a business (or businesses) that solve problems I see no one else is able to solve.
This is why, as part of the greater purpose, I want to surround myself with positive people who have the similar goals. Deep down I believe there’s no better way to stay the course than to have a support network to help keep the path in clear view.
Set Mindset to “GO”
If you want to take your blog full-time, turn your vlog into a brand, build a successful Amazon business, create a profitable SaaS company, and you’re pumped to put in the long hours…
Then you’re the type of person I’m hoping to connect with. It’s as simple at that. It means you’re serious.
Now it doesn’t really matter what stage you’re at in your business—simply getting started puts you further out than anyone else who has a better idea than yours.
Ideas can be churned out like no tomorrow.
Case in point:
There’s definitely money to be made in creating and selling outlandish products.
I’m going to steer clear of commenting on the morality on this business type. For the most part I’m taking the stance that both the seller and buyer understand (at least on some level) the products are not 100 percent on the level, nor do the products live up to what they’ve been marketed to achieve.
But it’s about living that moment, that dream, right? When the product does at least comes close to scratching the itch.
Never Be Satisfied
Now with that said…
What does being Entrepreneur mean?
It might seem like I’ve ventured off topic a bit. For me, I’d rather add a few extra paragraphs to instill a direction for my goals than to cut straight into the void of non-stop content creation.
It’s this precise attitude that, when paired up with the right thinking, that I feel sets the foundation for long-term growth.
Anyone can create a blog. Anyone can sign up on Twitter. Anyone can snap a selfie on Snapchat.
But, it requires a measure of tenacity and feeling like there’s always more that can be done to be successful with whatever method that’s chosen to get your message out.
So, that’s why I can relate to the entrepreneur mindset.
Let’s hear what Gary Vaynerchuk (aka Businessman 2.0) has to say about it:
If you dig what he has to say, then cool.
If you think he’s a bit too over the top in his philosophies, then that’s cool, too.
Really, the people who at least give him a listen are the same people who are hungry for more than being someone else’s employee.
And that “hunger” is different for everyone. Some people just want to spend a little more time with their families instead of having to clock in more hours to make someone else a little more money.
…Or for another else it means branching out and sacrificing their safety net for something they feel deep down they need to accomplish.
Starting a Business is Exhilarating
…but it also pushes freaking scary. Whatever safe zone you relish living in changes one you become the head honcho of your income. It means you’re going to have to deal with being outside your comfort zones on a regular basis.
Can you live with that?
This, in my humble opinion, is why too many people fall for the false trap of creating set-it-and-forget-all-about-it businesses.
Auto-pilot seems a lot safer than really wrapping your hands around the controls.
However, in the end what’s to say you’re not pushing towards the wrong direction?
Labels Are Like Curses
By writing about Entrepreneurship here I want one thing to be clear:
I don’t consider myself an Entrepreneur.
Ever since I first started began running my own businesses the goal has always to remain true to my convictions.
Of course it’s easy to get caught up in the allure of being apart of a community of like-minded people and, maybe even, having an “entrepreneurial spirit”.
But, what does that really mean…seriously?
It’s like going around and saying you’re a Growth Hacker simply because you’ve read an article on the subject and think the methods are intriguing.
By settling on a label like “Entrepreneur”, or “Social Media Marketer” and “Business Coach” for that matter, it waters down you’re effectiveness.
Would you go around calling yourself Cool? Of course not. If you did then you’re more sad than cool.
No one is “cool” until someone else anoints you with that status.
While no one should never rely on the perception of what others think of you. But at the same time everyone learns you can’t be Cool until that status has been given to you by at least someone, other than, well, your MOM.
Those are just playground rules that teach you how the real world works.
Know Your Strengths
Me: I can get in front of a large audience without freaking out and hold their attention.
This fact is supported by me not really caring what others think of me…probably because I routinely do this every week, and I don’t mind acting the fool.
At some point I’d like to set some time aside to focus on dealing out youtube content, and I plan to rely on this as my advantage.
I’m also good at leading and managing people to achieve more than they thought they had in themselves.
My strengths don’t really lie in what an “Entrepreneur” is supposed to be:
A person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.”
Also, just an observation, the definition of Entrepreneur sounds freaking scary. I’m just saying.
Know Your Weaknesses
I tend to work hard instead of smart. And this has always been my malfunction.
This is because I see myself as a perfectionist, with tendencies that border on procrastination.
However, despite this I find it very hard to give up on the things I want to achieve.
Sometimes this is very foolishly on my part. Even when the walls are crashing down I want to keep plugging away oblivious to the truth that things are broken.
But while I might work with blinders on, even be slow to produce results, I make up for it in following through on what I say I’m going to do.
My opinions are strong. Just like my will power. It’s this very fact for why I haven’t given up on my business goals. I absolutely know that I’m destined to be in control of my own financial independence—even while I work at a job that keeps me super busy each and every day of the week.
Wise Words From A Wisecracker
…or salty words from a salty cracker. What ever floats your wafer.
While I dedicated this entire post (the first one, too) on the topic of Entrepreneurship…
Some people might find it odd to believe I would turn it around in the end and reveal I don’t consider what I have to offer the world exactly places me in the Entrepreneur category.
But I do think it’s a mighty great thing for people to find the courage to step into such a powerful culture as the entrepreneurial space, and change the direction of their lives.
For myself, I’d prefer to take the best this community has to offer and run with it in a way that won’t tie me down. There’s more freedom with this approach since anyone can maneuver and pivot when it’s needed. For a lot of bootstrapping businesses who are working to get their MVP ready for launch, this is the exact process they’ll use to stay alive.
Again, I’m stronger at managing people than I am at setting up a tech company. So this is just my observation from what I know that helps me stay afloat.
Think of it as being in cahoots with the dealer in a game of poker. What could go wrong when you’ve got the skills and the advantage?
And for me it’s like playing the Frank Sinatra card and doing it my way.
So, if you like this post, and connected with it in some way, why not leave a comment down below.
Also, share it with anyone who who might be thinking about the next steps for their own business.
But until then, and my next post, I’ll leave you with the immortal words of Groucho Marx:
Well I’m certainly grateful for this magnificent washout, eh, turnout, and, eh, now I’d like to say a few words…
Hello, I must be going. I cannot stay, I came to say I must be going. I’m glad I came, but just the same I must be going.