Becoming an entrepreneur or freelancer, deciding to “go it alone,” can be really hard. It was definitely a struggle for me. Some days it still is.
I had to totally transform my mindset, I was addicted to the consistent act of getting a paycheck every two weeks. But I knew in my soul that the employees’ life wasn’t for me, I had to plot my escape.
Escaping, though, requires a mindset shift. It’s uncomfortable and challenging.
The world isn’t built to help us achieve our dreams, it’s built to maintain the status quo.
The Lies We Tell To Keep The Status Quo
The status quo has such a tight grip on the world. It’s become a place where your friends tell you to “start tomorrow. Today? Let’s just take it easy today.”
It’s a place where we’re taught that some people were born into success. Only certain people are “artistic,” or “good at business,” and that if you aren’t one of the lucky few, you should move on and try to discover your “real” talents.
It’s a place where the myth of success includes luck and timing. We’re told to be in the right place at the right time. When and where that is, however, is a mystery.
Wanting to enjoy your limited time here on earth is seen as a childish desire. We’re told to grow up, suck it up and act like an adult. No one likes their job, we’re scolded.
The world is a place where all of these myths work together to keep us blind from the fact that only you can take responsibility, only you can stand up and craft your life into something beautiful.
This blog is about how I finally took on that responsibility. It wasn’t pretty and I didn’t always get it right.
It took me way too long to realize I was the one responsible. I want to share my story so your journey can be faster, smoother and better. More beautiful even.
Achieving your freedom is a noble and difficult pursuit. You have to dig deep and transform some of your oldest, most deeply held beliefs about the world and about yourself. Not everyone is willing to do it.
As a gambling man my bet is that you’ve come this far for a reason. You’re willing to challenge yourself to build a new life. You just need a little help.
When I was a middle manager in the hospitality business, I hated my job but these powerful myths allowed me to make it a very comfortable place.
I was able to tell myself:
“I’m good at this, I should be doing it.”
“It’s not my dream job but I can provide for my family”
“Someday someone will notice my “real” talents and offer me something better.”
I didn’t want to be there but everything I told myself was designed to keep me there. If you’re doing this to yourself, please stop.
Don’t lie to yourself to make it feel better. Use the pain as fuel to actually make things better.
We lie to ourselves because there is something in our mind holding us back. There is some fear or hesitation or resistance inside us that us that won’t let us move on.
You have to build a new mindset in order to build a new life.
Entrepreneurs are Made, not Born
Let’s get this out of the way right now. I believe entrepreneurs are made, not born.
If you have a story like “I always knew I would own my own business because when I was 7 I sold baseball cards and comics in the elementary school cafeteria” – then this blog is not for you.
I believe we all get to play this crazy game.
I’m an introvert. For a long time I didn’t think I had any skills I could sell in the marketplace. I wanted the freedom and autonomy of owning my own business, but I had no idea where to start. I felt trapped and I was scared.
Maybe you feel like you don’t have an innate “entrepreneurial force” pushing you on. When you do stoke the entrepreneurial fire, you get confused and unsure of what’s next.
I remember that place and I want to help you leave it.
Success doesn’t happen overnight. You have to move forward – a little bit – everyday – in order for success to come. Success is about doing the right things every day, and letting the results compound.
When your success does come, people will think it happened overnight. But you’ll know the real story and all the hard work that went into it.
Where Do You Spend Your Time?
There’s a saying that you’re the average of the five people you spend most of your time with. I’ve found this to be true. When you’re trying to pull yourself up to new heights, it’s better to spend time with people already there instead of those who might not want you to leave where you are.
Want to be rich? Spend time with people who live a rich life.
Want to be free? Spend time with people who have achieved the freedom you’re looking for.
Want to be successful? Spend time with others you consider a success.
Who do you spend your time with?
Mindset Shifts
Entrepreneurs run into issues at every stage. When I look back at all my false starts, it took me years to finally commit to following through. I had some serious mindset issues holding me back.
It doesn’t have to be that way. I want you to launch much more quickly. I’m sharing my mistakes so you don’t have to make them.
The right mindset, combined with the right principles will get you started and keep you going.
You ‘re going to find that your entrepreneurial journey is like driving up a mountain. The road spirals around the mountain and you keep slowly going up and up, finding higher plateaus where you can re-launch yourself. It’s a never-ending journey of constant elevation.
Choosing to just get on the road is often the most difficult step and you’ve already taken that one!
This blog is going to be about that road. The obstacles and the potholes. The pitfalls and also the successes. So many people helped me through their blogs and books and podcasts along my journey. Now I want to pay it forward and hope that you can find something helpful here.
I hope to see you back again soon.