There are two camps of people: those who do and those who do not. And there are two types of dreamers: those who dream, and those who make it happen.
Being an entrepreneur sets your mind on those two questions: are you a do-er and will you make your dreams happen?
I once sat around with a group of friends where we bounced around ideas on what kind of business we could all go into. It was an hour of laughs, quirky ideas, and an energy that made me twitch inside. Yes! These business ideas could work, we could really make something fun and profitable. Unfortunately, those ideas went away after we parted ways and went home.
People love to brainstorm ideas and throw around ways to make money. It is a fun way to spend time together and a great way to keep conversation moving. Most of the time, the idea-hatching session ends there, nothing hatched, nothing gained.
What makes some people “go for it” and other recede back into ho-hum, hum-drum jobs and careers that may bring in the dough, but leave the heart deflated.
Mindset.
Most people have read the classic story, The Little Engine That Could, and will agree that this underdog tale gives hope and encouragement, and makes you believe that anything is possible. However, I daresay that a lot of people don’t ascribe to “I think I can, I think I can”, but rather, “I don’t think I could, I don’t think this will work.”
Mindset.
Mindset is everything when it comes to building a business or developing an idea. Creating a product or business that people will want, need, and buy does not take a lot of money, education, or even genius. It takes a certain mindset.
If you are stuck in the idea phase of your business, or are deciding to high-tail it and quit, here are some tips to get your mindset in the right frame:
1. Think therefore you are. This phrase is actually from the Bible, and states the obvious: however you think or believe, is how you will act, and what you become. You can not move forward if you are frozen in fear. Like what your parents told you when you thought there was a monster in the closet: “it’s all in your head.” Rather than looking at starting a new business or quitting your job in order to work for yourself with dread, look at it from a viewpoint of new adventure, an exciting journey, the beginning of a new life! Start this new phase with a positive, can-do determination.
2. Don’t let the crowd intimidate you. It’s inevitable: if you have worked for somebody else most of your life, and if most of your friends and family are workers (not entrepreneurs or business owners), then you are going against the grain when you announce that you are starting a business. Don’t let that deter or discourage you. Skepticism is sure to come up. Some out of concern, others out of jealousy or sabotage. Crowd out the crowd before they crowd you out. (Sorry, that’s a mouthful!) Stay focused on your business plan and marketing plan.
3. Starve the doubt, feed your faith. If only entrepreneurship were as easy as the easy button. On the road to building your business, you will encounter realities: should you be an LLC or incorporate, how do you market, social media??, email lists?? This is enough to make your head spin. All you wanted was to get out of the corporate grind and work for yourself. Doubts will start to surface: what did I just do? Did I make the right decision? I’m letting my wife/ husband down. Doubts are normal! But kick it out of your head! Don’t give it room and board. Starve it out! Instead feed your faith – go back to that thing that gave you the “aha moment” when you decided to embark on your new journey. Hook onto the passion, that gift, that faith in something greater that needs to be shared, and that gives you purpose.
Lastly, don’t just dream, dream big – and then start to realize that dream. Don’t let others or yourself get in the way. It’s all in your mind – now let imagination become reality. You decide!