Are you thinking of quitting your job and starting your own thing but not sure if it’s the right decision?
Are you scared of failing? of going broke? of living uncomfortably? of disappointing your loved ones?
Are you scared that you might not be able to live up to your own expectations?
Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. But if you feel it in your blood and feel an itch to start your own thing, you must do it. The reward is not just the money which most early-stage entrepreneurs don’t have. In fact, most businesses fail. But why am I still encouraging you to start your own thing if you have an itch to do so? Below are the reasons why starting your own thing might be the best decision you’ll ever make in your life.
And believe me, if you’ve been pondering about doing it, you just have to do it!
1. You will delete the “what-ifs” in your life.
Most of us are passionate about something. And if we are talented enough to be good at what we’re passionate about, surely we’d want to turn that into a career. But competition might be fierce. The market might be tough. Finances might not look so bright. So, we stick ourselves to the 9-5 because it makes us feel safe and secure.
But what if you’re bored in your job? What if you’re not excited about going to work anymore? What if you’re looking forward to doing something of your passion and having freedom with your own time?
Starting your own business might sound scary but it is a sure way to get rid of what-ifs in your life especially if you’re in your 20s and don’t have a family to feed. You have nothing to lose but a whole lot to gain.
2. You will accelerate your learning curve like never before.
One of the things you will learn when starting your own business is learning. Being an employee, you learn about your role and your industry. However, being your own boss, you have to learn everything — from marketing to accounting, operations, and finance. You will have to keep up-to-date with the new technology, tools, consumer trends, and industry news. You will learn like never before. Before you know it, you will become a lifelong learner who loves the challenge of learning about something new. You will take life as a progressive journey as you do with business.
There is no better way to accelerate your learning curve like starting your own thing!
3. You will learn to be independent in your thinking and trust your instinct.
Starting your own business requires you to think on your feet a lot. Whether you start it on your own or with a business partner, you will have to make a decision without a boss or team members who are there for you bounce ideas of. Over and over, you will learn to make decisions independently and become more decisive as you grow. You will learn to trust your gut instinct because no one else knows your business like you do.
It is a wonderful feeling to feel that every decision you make is solely dependent on you. You don’t need to compromise with different opinions from your boss and your colleagues anymore. You make your own decision and you are responsible for it.
4. You will wake up every day driven and motivated to go to work.
Surely this is one of the main reasons why people start their own thing. Nothing feels as exciting as following one’s passion and dreams. You might have a few sleepless nights because reality keeps you up with excitement — thinking about different ideas and strategy, stalking your competitors, and dreaming about the possible dream-come-true. Even during down times not making any sales, you’re still motivated to go to work, fix the bugs, pump up the sales, and make it happen. Because the business is yours and yours only. You’re not working for somebody else, so work hard and make it happen. The reward will be worth it.
5. You know what it feels like to truly follow one’s passion.
Some people might never understand why some people decide to become a struggling artist instead of doing something else for a living. After starting your own business, you will understand how fulfilled it feels to actually follow your dreams and your heart. The reward is not necessarily the money. The reward is in being your own boss and in the art of creating something that you truly own and love. You will learn what it’s like to sacrifice external things that make you happy (like drinking and eating out) for things that make you happy internally (like making your business succeed).
Of course, a profitable business is what proves your capability as a businessman. However, what truly drives you is not the money; it’s the passion and fulfillment you get from following your dreams.
6. You will become more daring and fearless.
Starting one’s business can be scary for any first-time entrepreneur without wealthy parents backing them up. You have to believe in yourself and make daring decisions over and over. From deciding that you will not get a full-time job to investing in the business and making several business decisions on your own. Becoming an entrepreneur you will get rid of your self-limiting belief like never before. You will learn that nothing is to be scared of. You will learn that your comfort zone keeps expanding every time you get out of your comfort zone. You will learn to initiate contacts and approach people. You will learn to make things happen and even if you have no idea about something, you will learn about it in every way you can without doubt and without fear. Over and over, this becomes a habit. You will have built this boldness in you and will become used to getting out of your comfort zone.
7. You will become a man of actions, and not just words.
A lot of people talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. As an entrepreneur you cannot just talk and don’t make actions. You have to keep your words and follow through. In fact, things will not happen unless you make actions. Being an entrepreneur teaches you that things don’t happen as you wish, things happen as you do. You cannot ask someone else to do it for you or expect a colleague to help. You are on your own and only actions will bring your idea to life.
8. You will realize that there are so many talented and ambitious people out there.
Being an entrepreneur can be lonely at times. But if you make friends with other entrepreneurs in your community or even around the world, you will realize that there are so many talented and ambitious people out there. You’re not alone. You’re not on your own. And these people are more than happy to share with you their experiences, advice, and recommendations.
Suddenly, the world seems not so small anymore. There is a whole world out there waiting for you to discover, to learn, and to grow. The more you get immersed into the entrepreneur’s world and interact with other entrepreneurs, the more opportunities you will spot and the more driven you will become.
9. You will never doubt yourself ever again.
Starting your own business takes guts. To be able to take a leap of faith in yourself and jump, you will have already gotten rid of your self-doubt. And on the process of working on your own business, you will become even more of a firm believer in “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.”
Most important of all, you will never hesitate to invest in yourself because it is the only thing that always multiplies and can never be taken away from you.
10. You will want to do it all over again.
You might have succeeded. You might have failed. But the fact that you have learned so much along the way makes it all worth while. Starting your own thing gives you a sense of control in your own life and joy and fulfillment in doing something that you truly love. The rush, the excitement, the fear, the tears, the sweat, and the countless nights sleeping next to your laptop – they are experiences you would never have if you haven’t started your own thing. You couldn’t have it any other way. And you’re always looking out for the right opportunity to do it all over again.
Quick Tips;
If you want to start your own thing but still don’t know where to start, follow theses steps;
1. Start by thinking about your true passion — what you want to wake up to doing everyday.
2. Think about a killer business idea and test it with the market. Make sure there is a demand for that and who your target customer would be. Get to know them. Learn about them as much as you can.
3. Consider the skill set that you have and that you lack. When starting your own business, be the boss in the area that you’re good at and hire someone to help you in the area that you’re weak in.
4. Take a leap of faith in yourself and just do it. You can always get money back but you can never get your time back. So follow your dream. Don’t waste any more time. If you succeed, you will be rich and happy. If you fail, well, at least you’ll become smarter.
Source: Huffington Post