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Starting Your First Business — Chapter 1, The Dream versus the Reality If the tragic events of September 11, 2001, taught us anything, it is that life is fragile. We never know when an accident, environmental disaster, or poor health will strike. Life is too short to do something you don’t enjoy. I know doctors who completed twelve years of medical school—but hate talking to patients. They don’t like dealing with families, insurance, and hospital staff. Don’t make that kind of mistake. Follow your dreams. Do what you love; have passion for your work. Find the thing that gives you joy and inspires you to jump out of bed each morning and say, “Let’s roll!” as you start the day. For many of us, that dream is to own our own business, be our own boss. I love owning my own business, and I won’t ever again work for someone else. But you must make that decision for yourself and go into it knowing what to expect. The Dream: Owning Your Own Company The number one reason people want to own their own business is because it gives them freedom—freedom to make their own decisions and to pursue the work they love. Owning your own company also gives you some control over all the change in the world. You have the ability to break away and direct your own future. Small businesses are among the first to begin hiring and get the economy up and rolling in troubled times. Entrepreneurs tend to be more creative than larger businesses and have the flexibility to be more responsive to our customers; that’s why so many of the “mega” corporations want to buy us. There are many pleasures that come from operating your own business. Nurturing a product or service is very rewarding. Developing people is fulfilling; it can be quite thrilling to see an employee develop from an entry-level position to a manager in six months. Increasing company sales or updating your business operation is extremely gratifying. Then there are the perks. You can take an afternoon off to fish or follow your favorite hobby without requesting it two weeks in advance. You have the flexibility to schedule your vacation time with family and friends when you want it. There are definitely some nice benefits and rewards. However, these extras don’t come automatically—and they never come soon enough. The Tough Reality: Work, Responsibilities, Work, Stress Don’t be lulled into believing that you will have endless days to fish or afternoons to stroll through a new mall. When you own your own company, the reality is that you must commit 110 percent of yourself and your time to the business. Download all of Chapter 1 |