There is something to be said about starting on a path with a goal in mind, that’s a given. But before we set out for a place how often do we get into the nitty-gritty of how to get to that place? I am talking about studying the topography of a place to the extent of anticipating curves, elevation, weather conditions, and the quality of the expected path, and this at the minimum? I personally love to travel with little planning involved and an open schedule to better embrace the sense of adventure. My preference is little details will fill themselves in as long as I know the big picture, but this doesn’t always work. It really is all fine and well when on vacation for x amount of days, or doing a random drive to scout out unexpected places. However, when lack of planning and attention to the pertinent details poses problems is when precious resources are involved. Now, the idea of “precious resources” does contain some relativity, but for this particular case, let’s assume anyone remotely similar to me may have a fixed amount of time, money, skill, and network capacity. In this sense, the management of those resources and having a plan on how to execute as those resources are diminished becomes paramount. This is true when on vacation, when doing an impromptu road trip, when planning a dinner party, or when taking on much grander endeavors like starting a business.
Now, firstly let me just say that each person approaches situations differently. It is based upon our experience, our personality types, and again our resources, and also just the timing of things. Which season you find yourself within can truly influence how you handle opportunities and manage circumstances. So give yourself the space and the permission to learn as you go, make mistakes, and incorporate better practices as you gain knowledge along your journey. I do tend to be someone that flies by the seat of my pants, but in different seasons of my life I have been more deliberate, intentional, highly serious and organized when it comes to decisions and plotting out a path forward in my life. This past season… well it wasn’t it. Yet, I will stand by my decisions because I would rather have come this far than still just be wondering if I should, if I could, or if I ever would take myself seriously enough to just do it. Let my own journey be the push you need to literally just jump off the cliff into the unknown if some idea has been hounding you as much as entrepreneurship was to me. If you are the perfectionist and planning type then also do that, because there is so much good that can build up a foundation for your success. Hopefully, then this post will be edification and reassurance for you that you are doing well.
So whichever way you need to begin your journey, then just do it. Let me say it nice and loud: Entrepreneurship is a JOURNEY! What I mean by this is that being an entrepreneur is not just a straight-forward connect-the-dots picture or clean cut definition. Yes, it contains those who run brick and mortar establishments, those with creative inclinations who create products, and a whole host of online shopkeepers, and probably others that even I am still learning about, but suffice it to say: there is no defined must-be's for an entrepreneur. Do you have an idea? Do you want to turn that into a stream of income? Are you willing to set your terms? Are you ready to invest in yourself and bear the risks of setting out into the unknown? If you have a positive inclination towards these questions, then you should start by considering yourself an entrepreneur. Not all entrepreneurs are profitable, because fact of the matter is, not all businesses are always making money and turning a profit. Hence why the majority of businesses fail within the first few years. But a very dear and beloved friend of mine has shown me time and time again that failure is a precious part of the process and should not be shunned, nor should it be the reason to stop. Rather, failure to grab a market, become more profitable, or launch should cause you to reflect and pivot your business. Let failure be like the topography of your path, that as you study what led to failure, what contributed to failure, what were the factors to failure then you can better adapt and overcome those tough terrains and elevate yourself and your business ALONG THE JOURNEY. How do you scale a mountain? Well, besides rope and sheer strength you need judgment, a sense of risk, and a strong belief that you can surmount such an obstacle. It will be the same in your journey as an entrepreneur: be strong, with sober judgment reflect upon yourself and your decisions, try to mitigate risks not just avoid risk, and above all believe in yourself that you can and shall overcome the obstacles in your path.
Another beloved friend of mine, used to tell me that apart from getting into a serious romantic relationship with someone, the best way to learn your true self is through entrepreneurship. It means that if relationships with people will be like holding up a mirror to reveal your true image, running a business is like magnifying that image and illuminating every single flaw, beauty point, weakness, strength, struggle, win and loss as a person. Starting and running a business is not easy, for if it was, most people would be business owners, not employees. I have been an employee for a very long time, and in various operations I have also come to learn strengths and weaknesses about myself, but those come with qualifications from and imposed by others. Deciding to set out on your own journey as an entrepreneur will position you to qualify, scrutinize, evaluate, and even commend yourself. You have to bet on yourself! You have to be willing to be agonizingly honest with yourself if you wish to succeed.
Entrepreneurship will require you to be honest at least with yourself in ways traditional employment doesn’t even come close to needing. Employment allows most people to coast, and I am not trying to sound judgemental about it. It just is. If your bills are paid and you are fine with your status quo, cool! More power to you. I’ve just reached a point in my life where I realize there is a chasm between my best life and others’ expectations of my best life. What I have fought to learn, master, unlearn, discover about myself, and evolve from is no longer up for others to qualify and evaluate. I want to set my own agenda. I want to own my own choices, schedule, and expectations. I am no longer okay with fitting into other people’s boxes cut for me based on their perceptions and limited understanding of me. For me, this means the best occupation for me is one that allows me to apply my skills, talents and interests, which can only be set by me. Entrepreneurship is that path for me. To apply my creativity and passions to my strengths. Invest in myself and trust that I have what I need to push my life forward on my own terms.
It’s not for everyone. That is okay. I sometimes wish I could just be told what to do. Wish I could read the manual to life and cross the Ts and dot the Is then accordingly. But I have already lived enough of my life to know that story doesn’t end well. The story I want to live has to move beyond the lines set by others and flow into the unknown. For me that is freedom. For me that is this: entrepreneurship. Maybe entrepreneurship is a journey you will try. Maybe not. Either way you must do what is best for you. For me, it’s not stopping the journey just because of delays, detours, or whatever else may come across this path.