5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Be An Entrepreneur by Gary Miller |
I encounter some really interesting folks in the internet marketing/ entrepreneur world. I find myself hearing a lot of the same concerns and questions. In the midst of all the conversations, emails, and social media interactions, I’ve come up with a simple five point list that I think may helpful for folks who are discerning if they should be an entrepreneur or not.
I call it my 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Be An Entrepreneur and it goes like this.
1) You shouldn’t be an entrepreneur if you are a security seeker. It’s very easy to tell the security seekers. They talk about nearly every job, business, or opportunity in terms of benefits, retirements, packages, and stability. Let’s be clear there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this approach. Being an entrepreneur though is the antithesis of the security mentality. Your income today and in the future is based 100% on the value you bring with whatever your product or service is. It has nothing to do with if you just show up for a scheduled period of time every day for so many years then you cash in and receive a retirement award.
There is absolutely nothing secure about going into business for yourself other than knowing that the sky is truly the limit if you’re willing to suck it up, gut it out, learn, and work your tail off.
2) You shouldn’t be an entrepreneur if you’re afraid to spend and lose money. Here’s a certainty about starting any business online or otherwise. It will absolutely take longer than expected to get up and running and will cost you a lot more money than you ever thought it would. Let me put that in slightly stronger language. You will be freaking amazed at how much money you will dump into your business. Think the online route is without a bunch of costs? Think again. Website development, hosting, advertising, and automation tools are just a few things that add up and add up big. If it makes your blood pressure spike and your heart rate jump to think about spending a hundred bucks on a test ad campaign online and that test fails to produce one single lead you shouldn’t be an entrepreneur.
3) You shouldn’t be an entrepreneur if you’re interested in fitting in. Many of your friends, family, and co-workers if you’re working a day job and running your business on the side are flat out not going to understand what you’re doing. They are going to think you’re strange, irresponsible and readily tell you how and why what you’re doing won’t work. Folks who really are cut out to be their own boss find new friends. For those who shy away from being shunned, you’re not cut out for this. The social pressure alone will eat you alive.
4) You shouldn’t be an entrepreneur if you think working for yourself means working 9-5 with weekends off. When you are running your own shop it means that you never stop working. Seriously. If you’re not thinking about your business all the time something is wrong. This is especially true in the first year. The first year is about being consumed with making things happen. I’m still in the first year myself and I work six days a week minimum. I work before my kids get up in the morning, work all day, and log back in once my wife is asleep many nights. Yes the schedule can be flexible. I can break out in the middle of the day to have lunch with a friend but I have to get that time back somewhere. There are no freebies.
5) You shouldn’t be an entrepreneur if you expect fast results, instant gratification, and reassurance. News flash, there are no push button, turn key, ready to go businesses that are worth anything. Results take time. As for reassurance, being in business for yourself is a kick in the teeth. No one is going to reward you for showing up on time. There won’t be any trophies given out at a boring staff meeting congratulating you on being employee of the month. That’s
why success hinges on having a much deeper drive. A passion that despite the difficulties pushes you forward.
Still Think You Should Be An Entrepreneur? Still want in? Still think you should be an entrepreneur? If you do, that’s awesome. I’m cheering you and your business on provided it’s legal and not hurting anyone:) Get to work! Do you want to learn how to share your stories and ideas with others and actually get paid for it? Crazy huh? Click Here, enter your email, and I will show you the goods. Also, connect with me on Facebook here. I look forward to meeting you! ~ Gary Miller Jr.