Are you thinking about starting your own business? For many, the idea of becoming an entrepreneur is appealing. Some may be wondering if now is the right time to start since they’ve recently been laid off from their employer. How do you decide if entrepreneurship is right for you and make that leap?
This week I’ve found three fantastic articles that examine striking out on your own from different angles. Together, they will be very useful in helping anyone to decide about becoming an entrepreneur and to organize their thoughts about it. Let’s get started!
Is becoming an Entrepreneur right for you?
Alex Fayle of Someday Syndrome had a guest post up this week at The Change Blog. His post Should I Stay or Should I Go? Determining Whether the 9-5 World Is For You. provides guidance for determining whether self-employment is right for you. I like what he says about knowing yourself. He says:
In my case, I can’t find happiness anywhere else. I’ve tried. Believe you me, I would love to be someone who could find happiness and fulfillment in a more regular work environment.
But I’m just too independent and I hate being pinned down to a schedule. I’d rather struggle to make rent doing my own thing than have lots of money doing something for which I have no passion.
If you’d rather struggle to pay the rent than continue working for someone else, then entrepreneurship may be right for you! Read the article for more great insights!
How do you decide what kind of business to start?
Once you’ve come to at least a fairly firm decision that you want to be self-employed, then the next question is usually, “What should I do?”
You’ve probably read that you should follow your passion and the money will come. Well, Jonathan Fields challenges the idea that you have to identify your one all-consuming purpose before striking out as an entrepreneur in his article, The Life Purpose Lie.
I’ve done a lot of what Jonathan describes below in trying to find my overarching life purpose:
I’ve been told to make lists, journals, check boxes, fill-out forms, stay in dorms, write and re-write for hours and iterations until I bawled in ecstatic revelation (I faked it, so I could go home).
But, like Jonathan, I’ve never really had that ah-ha moment where my life’s purpose jumped up and bit me on the butt.
If you are in this same boat, does it mean that you aren’t cut out for entrepreneurship?
No way! You still may be perfectly suited for starting your own business. You may just need to go on a much longer journey of exploration that is more action oriented. Read Jonathan’s article because he does a better job of describing this than I would.
How do I deal with those that object to me becoming an entrepreneur?
Once you you think you want to start your own business, you have to tell people like your spouse and family. This can be daunting for many because people often object. They want us to do something more normal and safe (as they see it).
Well, Steve at MyWifeQuitHerJob.com provides some great insights on how to handle this in his article, Dealing With People Who Doubt Your Business Ideas.
Steve knows that anytime that you tell others that you are making a big change in your life like starting your own business, there are going to be people (even those that love you) that are going to doubt your ideas.
Steve identifies three types of doubters and gives pointers for how to deal with them. Read Steve’s article to learn how to handle the Gunslingers, Factoids and Mockers.
What have you decided about entrepreneurship?
These three articles should give you a lot to think about. They are full of practical advice and wisdom from people that aren’t just writing about entrepreneurship, they are living it!
So, what do you think? Are you ready to become an entrepreneur?
Photo by Rob Inh00d
Great post – I have a few friends that are always talking about starting their own business and they definitely have to read this!
Read Christopher´s latest article – Chesley Sullenberger is My Hero: Facebook Edition
I think a lot fo it comes from our personalities. Certain skills can be acquired, but much comes from our abilities that are inane. It’s better to avoid walking into entrepreneurship (at least not alone) if you can’t handle risk.
Read Gennaro @ Enduring Wanderlust´s latest article – 8 Presidential Inauguration Locations To Visit
There’s no rule that you need to be an entrepreneur forever. I would say that if you are interested in exploring that lifestyle, go for it. If you don’t like it you can always get a job!
Read Maria | Never the Same River Twice´s latest article – Carnival of Personal Development
I think that first and foremost, it’s a mindset thing. Some people discover it along the way, others are just hard wired that way. Sadly, some like the idea but lack the follow through. I think this comes from an unrealistic assessment of the amount of work involved. I like the saying, “the reason so many fail to recognize opportunity is that it often come disguised as hard work.” This is especially true with an online business. People hear the rags to riches stories and expect it to be easy. Is it any wonder that 99% don’t make it? As for me, I’m just wired that way, always have been, but that doesn’t mean it’s been easy. Nice article.
It’s all about wanting it… really, really wanting it.
Well stated Jeff. Stumbled.
Read Marc and Angel Hack Life´s latest article – Why Lesbians, Priests, Athletes and Chubby Chefs All Agree on the Meaning of Life
I agree, if you want it enough, you can make anything happen.
Great article! Gets the entrepreneurial blood pumping (and no doubt i spelled that wrong!)
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