It Ain't So Tough
In my opinion, these are the seven hardest things about carving out your own career, niche or business. Decide that you can stand these seven things and you can accomplish anything.
1. Money pains until you're profitable
Yes, no doubt about it, while you're launching your own thing, every couple of months or so, you'll get a money stomachache from realizing that you're spending far more than you're earning in this beginning stage. You might find yourself thinking like Woody Allen, "If only God would give me a sign... like making a large deposit in my name to a Swiss bank account." But this greenback stress is not with you daily. It occurs a little more often than a cold and doesn't last as long.
2. Criticism from the 10% that will never like you no matter what you do
Yes, there are those who will criticize you in a way that will sting. Ouch! Once in a big, big while someone's criticism will stick in your side and hurt you for an entire week. But at the end of the day, or at the end of the week you stop caring about what they said and think, "Oh well... can't please all the people all the time."
3. Occasional dry spells during which nothing goes your way
Yes, yes, while boldly marching toward your dream you are bound to hit dry spells; call 'em "Long stretches of highway without food, gas or lodging." For some reason Life tests your true determination with periods where nothing you try works; no one calls; and things fall through. Your first dry spell can be quite scary, but after living through a few of 'em they almost become enjoyable break times. Be aware: Life usually times them to come right before your big breakthrough.
4. The once-in-a-while depressing realization that you aren't there yet
Mmmmmm... I must warn you that you'll have days when you realize that basically you suck at what you're trying to do. You'll get down over the reality that you're behind other people; not as good as you burn to be; and still not successful. And it's a crushing feeling. But then you wake up the next day with the deeper truth back in place: You are perfectly suited to succeed.
5. Days that are absolutely overwhelming
Without a doubt you will face days that are exhausting and well beyond what any lone person should be asked to accomplish in the span of 12 hours. You will face task lists that border on 'unfair.' But fortunately these occasional days from hell have never killed anyone. And you get tougher and tougher.
6. A few really humiliating moments
You will have humiliating moments - humiliating moments are married to progress. Sometimes you'll take risks and hit the jackpot. Other times you'll give it your best shot and feel absolutely red-faced about your big blunder. But humiliating moments are really simple, and quite fun, once you memorize the wise words of movie character Maude to her companion Harold, "Harold, every person has a God-given right to make an ass out of themselves."
7. Fear that it won't work out in the end
Ah, the biggie: Fear that it won't work out in the end. It hits everyone once in a while but everyone reacts differently. Some quit. Some worry. And some trust. Trust is the best option because it DOES work out in the end for anyone who commits and persists.
That's all seven. And that's as tough as it gets. I think you can handle it, don't you?
Until next week, be great.
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Hot Tip:
Carving out your own business isn't that tough.
"One person can make a difference and every person should try."
-John F. Kennedy
"The great thing in this world is not so much where we are but in what direction we are moving."
-Oliver Wendell Holmes
"The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up."
-Paul Valery
"I've always thought that naivete has a great deal to do with the success of any venture. Whatever you want to do, if you overanalyze it, start looking at all the pluses and all the minues, you might never start."
- Herb Boyer, co-founder of Genentech and molecular biologist
Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that assures the successful outcome of any venture.
-William James (1842-1910)
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