Saturday morning is one of my favourite times of the week. We head to Bondi, have coffee and toast at the wonderful Crabbe Hole Cafe and take the Coastal walk and blow away the dramas of the week. One of the joys of our walk is the snippets of conversation we catch as people walk/ run in the opposite direction.
Usually it’s “He said …” and “She said …” and “You won’t believe what my boss said this week … ” as pretty much everyone debriefs on their week.
Last week was a classic!! This sporty couple were marching along the path and she says “When I said I was going to run the “City to Surf” … I didn’t actually mean run!”
We have laughed about this quite a few times since as we’ve imagined the rest of the conversation we didn’t hear. “When I said I was going to run the “City to Surf” ….. What I actually meant was I might sit in a cafe and watch other people run …”
It has me thinking about intention. I’m going to take a bit of a serious tack now. So many people talk about starting a business and I wonder if – quite unintentionally – they are a bit like the girl walking past us at Bondi.
“When I said I was thinking about starting a business …. I didn’t actually mean a real business. What I really meant was …”
And this is where so many people get into trouble. My observation is that most people do not know what they are really getting into when they start their own business. They have different expectations.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and in my podcasts I always asked the question: “What do you wish you’d known from the start?” Many have answered that they wished they’d known how hard it would be – and then they laugh and say “and I’m glad I didn’t know!! Otherwise I might not have ever started!”
And you know, I think I’d have to agree with this. It is difficult to start a business, it is hard. And it’s what I call “good difficult.” A bit like when you go for a massage and it hurts and there’s pain – it’s what we call “good pain!”
I personally prefer “difficult” to “hard” but at the same time “hard” is what most people say.
⚡ Hard = it takes so long to get established – there is no overnight success.
⚡ Hard = money doesn’t just “roll in” – there is no passive income.
⚡ Hard = you have to do everything yourself, you’re the Manager for Everything – there is no-one else.
⚡Hard = it takes ages to make a sale – customers are discerning, fussy, choosy.
And do you know what else?
⚡ Hard = you are never bored – there is always some thing to do.
⚡ Hard = you are learning all the time – Yep!! It never stops!
⚡ Hard = you get to set your own agenda – every day!
⚡ Hard = you decide what customer service means to you and who you work with.
⚡Hard = you get to work when you want – maybe that’s all day every day for some weeks.
Yes it’s tough, challenging and there are times I just want to throw it in and consider going and applying for a JOB, but I never will because I wouldn’t swap being in my own business for anything – and I know this is how you feel as well, because you’ve told me!
This is partly the reason why I’ve written the book “So You Want to Start a Business“. If you’ve read it you know how detailed and thorough it is. The activities guide you through the practical 7 steps to starting a business and by asking you some tough questions, it will help you avoid the common pitfalls.
The truth is, it takes more than passion and a vision to succeed in business. It takes the right idea, a solid foundation, administrative know-how, and well-informed choices.
So if you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favour and order your copy from Amazon or Booktopia or from my website. Its a small investment in YOUR future.
Have a terrific week and let’s go take care of our great clients and customers…..
There has never been a better time to start a business; to be in business.
Thanks for reading this –
My guess is that you are here because you are curious about what it might be like to start a business?
Perhaps you’ve been wondering if you have what it takes? If your idea will work or even how much it actually costs to build a successful business?
I’ve written a book that can answer pretty much all your questions “So You Want to Start a Business” and you can download the first 20 pages at www.thestartupsteps.com
15 years of experience working with start up businesses are condensed into this book.
It’s your step by step guide to launch your business smarter and faster and I’m so excited to be sharing it with you and can’t wait to hear about your progress.
Are you ready to grab your excerpt? Click here www.thestartupsteps.com
Happy reading!