The first time I was self-employed I couldn’t even spell ‘entrepreneur’ – I just knew I wanted it.
I’d worked night-shift, feeding paper rolls from cash registers into temperamental computer readers, washed dishes in a hospital kitchen, built fences and even tried my hand at writing software.
It was time to start on my own.
But, here’s the deal about self-employment: most people won’t survive.
Any certainty that comes with being employed is quickly replaced with the insecurity of no set work hours, no deadlines and hundreds of decisions (and all look critical) screaming for your attention.
And then there’s success stories.
If you harbour any doubts about your fledging new venture, turn to an issue of Success, Inc, Entrepreneur, Forbes or Wired, or listen to one of the hundreds of ‘success story’ podcasts.
Success seems to be growing on virtual trees. Kids still living in their parent’s basement are driving Porsches to the bank with new-found riches.
Success stories are like dessert: they’re usually on the menu, but not always good for your health.
Success stories are like dessert: they’re usually on the menu, but not always good for your health. Click To TweetHere’s what those articles rarely share: the real cost of reaching success.
The real cost of success
Glory articles won’t talk about this and you’re unlikely to hear it on your favourite business podcast. I’m talking about wanting to quit.
You know…get a J.O.B.
We’re all victims to self-doubt. And then – GREAT NEWS – even if you work hard and are lucky enough to enjoy a modicum of success, then you get to enjoy that pant-soaking feeling psychologists dress up with the name ‘imposter syndrome’ (feeling like a fake).
Lovely.
When I started BlogWorks it was just a side hustle – a way to help other speakers get more traffic to their blog. I didn’t take it seriously.
And then more people asked for it and BlogWorks started to grow. My baby side hustle was looked like it wanted to grow up to be a business. And then came more hours, more work, more worry and paying more bills.
And as the opportunity grew so did the self-doubt “I must be crazy – everyone is better/more experienced/better connected than me!”
And then there were the thoughts of quitting. For your reading pleasure, I included a chart showing the frequency of my thoughts of quitting (not to scale).
Ask any entrepreneur and (if they’re being honest) they’ve wanted to quit. After all, who would know? Who would even remember?
Ask any entrepreneur and (if they’re being honest) they’ve wanted to quit. Click To Tweet“Hey, didn’t you used to have a business that….?”
“Oh that? Yeah, it just didn’t work out…but, let me tell you what I’m working on now.”
Want to start a side hustle or jump in with a full-time venture. You’ve been forewarned.
You will want to quit.
Advice you don’t need
And now here comes the advice you don’t need.
If you’ve read this far you’re either thinking about starting your own business, are already down that path or are extremely bored. Either way, you already know what I’m going to suggest.
DO IT ANYWAYS.
No business book, podcast, or TED talk compares to what happens when you hang up your shingle and declare you’re in business. It’s a defining moment and there’s no turning back on the lessons coming your way.
No business book, podcast, or TED talk compares what happens when you hang up your shingle and declare you’re in business. Click To TweetThink of it this way:
You have a product or skill that people want (even need) and your puny, whiney, snivelling self-doubt is the only thing between helping people and walking away.
And you are going to want to quit.
It will be too hard, confusing and frustrating and many times feel like a Greek tragedy involving a very large boulder being pushed uphill.
And then are there are the glory moments when you receive a wonderful, self-affirming compliment or someone just put $9 in your PayPal account.
Be prepared: both the tragedy and glory are mixed in the entrepreneurial salad.
Success guru’s won’t talk about it, but their success came as a result of weathering through those moments of self-doubt and wanting to quit.
I don’t think it can be any other way. And maybe it shouldn’t be.
Do it anyways and enjoy the journey. Most would have never even started.
I can relate Hugh! Nice post.
Thanks Zaheen!
Great article Hugh. Touches on the the truth about being an entrepreneur – or solopreneur for my 14 years worth. Yes, if you haven’t talked about quitting (or moving to something more stable) at some point, you’re not being honest. What keeps me in the game tho are my clients who become like trusted colleagues who motivate me to do my best to help them do their best. And my support network (yes people like you (:
Thanks Jan – it’s so true that your customers (who are blissfully unaware that we are ever anything less than our wonderful, positive selves) can lift us up just when we need it the most!
I’m 8 months into the journey and it is a glorious one. I’m learning about abilities and inabilities in the best (and most expensive) school life has to offer. The
school of Hard Knox. I do not know if my ‘tuition fees’ would last so I could accomplish my ‘degree’. Just as this excellent read ends with, I take comfort knowing that I had the courage to start a journey most don’t even consider taking.
Tomer – the school of hard knocks is the only one that guarantees results!
As a farm kid, now farm partner and farm family coach, I had lots of role models along the journey.
Just wanted to share the good news Hugh that my 4th book arrived on Friday…so the entrepreneurial adventure continues.
Thanks for being an awesome role model and mentor.
I am also thankful you did not give up on SOS, it is crucial for my biz capacity..ie time productivity.
Real talk. Thanks for this post Hugh
Thanks Anthony – I appreciate that!