Stop Planning. Start Doing.
I speak to a lot of people who want to start their own business. I speak to lots of people who don’t start their own business. There is only one difference between people who want to and people who have their own business. The ones who have their own business actually DID it. I know. I spent six years “planning” my business. I bought every book. I thought I hadn’t put together enough money. I didn’t know how to do all the things that I needed to know how to do. I didn’t have enough contacts. I didn’t have enough customers/clients. Duh. I didn’t have a business. Why would there be clients/customers WITHOUT a business? You just have to step out if faith. I”m not saying do it with NO planning. You have to think out your opportunities. You have to think out how you’re going to eat. And then you need to do it.
I can relate to not moving on it. Was I more prepared after six years? Yes. I was not six years-worth more prepared, though. So much of the learning that happens when you start your business happens when the rubber meets the road and you actually have to make it work. There is nothing that does that except actually doing the work.
Do It Before You Leave Your ‘Real’ Job
What I didn’t do, which I should have, was start my business while I was still working my 9 to 5 job. It really didn’t occur to me at the time, but I now know that this is a great solution to cushion the risk and to accelerate the learning while you still have an income. With the current state of the economy and the likelihood that you will lose your job at some point in your work life, this approach of having an income on the side that you can ramp up if something happens makes a lot of sense. There are a couple of new books that are great guides on how to do this.
Some Books That Might Help.
- The Economy of You by Kimberly Palmer. This book has lots of stories about people who actually DID it. They started small and built their business while still employed. The book describes when the business owners cut the cord and relied on their business for their income. It is a great read and is quite motivational. You don’t have to wait for perfection–step out and see what happens.
- How to Work for Yourself by Bryan Cohen. This is a book that addresses all the excuses you have about “no time.” (That was what you were thinking when you started reading this post, right?) Again, Cohen is quite motivational. As I read the book I started noticing all the ways that I waste time. (As I write this, this book is $0.00 on Kindle–that won’t last long–grab it!!!)
A slightly older, but more comprehensive book:
- Escape from Cubicle Nation, From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur by Pamela Slim. This book provides a little more guidance for the faint of heart. When is the right time to actually step out on your own? Hating your job isn’t the reason to start a business. Independence, choice, doing what you love, and managing your future are reasons.
So . . . I’ve provided you some books to read if you want to put it off a little longer. I’ve provided you books that can motivate you and challenge you if you REALLY want to do this. Which ever–read these books. Make this the year you DO it.
Jo McDermott 