What prevents someone from pursuing their dream of starting their own business?
While there are certainly legitimate reasons why a person may not become an entrepreneur, I will focus on a few of the main reasons cited by people that would like to begin a business but haven't made that leap. I will also offer some thoughts on how to defeat the fear, and progress towards the dream.
It's Not the Right Time
'As soon as the mortgage is paid; as soon as the kids are done college; as soon as I get my buyout at work; as soon as I learn everything there is to know about it, as soon as 2 plus 2 plus 2 is 4. As soon as I am absolutely sure that this venture will have zero risk and my astounding success is guaranteed.' Again, these thoughts are absolutely paralyzing. They are very real thoughts, and most are perfectly legitimate thoughts, but only thoughts and not reality. However, as I said, they are paralyzing.
There is a quote by Goethe that has always intrigued me and it seems to strike at the very heart of this issue.
"There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and magic in it. Begin it now."
We had a saying at Schooley Mitchell, and it was long before Nike made it famous as their advertising slogan. Whenever, anyone hesitated to tackle a project, or to take a risk, or to take that next step to get the job done, we would simply say, 'Just Do It!'
That attitude doesn't suit everyone, but then perhaps it should. My guess is that it does suit those successful people we dream to be. The point is that the time to act is very likely now, when the opportunity is present, as opposed to some ill-defined 'when ...then I will...'
Stated another way by Marsha Sinetar, "Intentions count as nothing if we do not translate them into action."
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