This post is gonna hit some nerves. Not apologizing in advance either.
Over the years of running community events in the entrepreneurship, startup and the SME space, I've met entrepreneurs who are world class, local champions, thought leaders, down to those who are just doing it as their main source of income (self-employed). Always a great feeling to connect with them, to learn from them.
But then, there's another level. Nope, not the wantrepreneurs, because they have yet to take action.
I'm referring to those who did (take action), and really suck at it.
And they have been sucking at it for years, scraping by, begging for short-term loans, avoiding friends and family members for fear of the question "how is your business?" They've lied too often that they are feeling ashamed during those quiet moments at night.
They talk a good game, bold even, but over time, you know they are not cut out for it. When you talk to them, you'd know they haven't grew much, not just personally, from within their own industry.
And the sad part, even as the bills accumulated and their spouses have to support the dream in quiet desperation, they refused to go back to employment. They would rather brave on, putting promises on hold, in the pursuit of a failing dream.
A dream that their realistic selfs were trying to wake up from, and yet, the delusional, stubborn counterparts tried to prolong for as along as they could.
Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate a good hustle. As a matter of fact, I admire it! There’re hardly anything that could tug my heart string more than a true blue story of a hustle, rags to riches, failure to fame.
But the very objective of a hustle is progress. Even a small step, a minute move is progress.
Sadly, those "entrepreneurs" who kept themselves busy, buried in their ignorance, drowned in their own denial, hiding under the “hustling”, they are not moving. You’ve seen them, you’ve talked with them, you may have even worked with them. Years could go by, and you know they are still at the same place they started years ago.
And when they were hanging by the last line of credit, last favour from a friend, last prayer for a miracle, they would still refuse to go back to employment. They have the certs, they have the resumes, they even have the connections. But because they have confused their delusion with determination, incompetence with initiative, and somehow, they think entrepreneurship is a class above employment. They couldn’t downgrade now, can they?
That’s BS, really.
So to the failing entrepreneur, I say this:
If you can’t make it work for you even after years of trying, seriously, perhaps you’d have greater success working under someone for a while. Your bills will get paid, your spouses won’t have to be woken up by anxiety attacks, and your kids will get to spend quality time with their parents. And in those moment released from the grips of desperation, perhaps a new path will surface, a better one that you couldn’t see before under the rumbles of worries, stack of bank letters and broken eye contacts from family members.
Some of the most well-balance, contented and happiest people I know are employees, and they get to spend time on their passion projects on the weekend. Some even ran part time businesses while keeping their full time jobs, and because they have lesser time to work on it, they are more focused, more effective, more productive with the little time they could afford.
Is going back to employment so humiliating that you’d rather hold on the a failing dream, a crumbling vision?
Is working for someone so degrading that you think you deserve better?
Is drawing a salary such a stab in the ego that you despise it?
Seriously, get a grip. You have a family to support, and you have responsibilities to uphold. You lack the necessary skills, so learn them during the evenings after your work. You lack the connection, so expand your network within and outside your job. You lack the strategy, so volunteer your time with mentors in exchange for wisdom.
But if you can’t see that, then the lack is of something much worse. Attitude. That, you gotta figure out on your own.
Here’s something others may not want not tell you in the face. You’re just not cut out for entrepreneurship yet. So stop denying the fact that you have a place somewhere else. Stop deluding yourself with dreams of fame. Stop derailing your family members from the happiness they deserve. You had your shot. You’ve outlived those years of trying and hustling and not moving. You know it before you go to sleep, in those moments of brutal honesty, when you feel most alone in the world, that you have to put your dreams on hold and go back to employment.
So do just that. Maybe that’s just what you need right now. Maybe that’s why you’re not progressing - you can’t see beyond the lessons you’ve yet to learn, and you’ve been skipping those classes.
And when I opened my eyes, and I looked over the horizon, in the stillness of the night, in the cool of the midnight breeze, I know what’s needed to be done.
Wait, why's Mav posting on Steemit nowadays?
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I agree with u bro !
I know a failed entrepreneur. He gave up his family, his perfectly decent career, his life savings and the respect of his peers to strike out on his own and "go big" in a new country in a new industry he knew nothing about. Ten years later he has yet to land a big deal, has no friends to speak of, has destroyed the financial well being of his family and driven his children to serious drug addiction and suicide through financial and emotional neglect.
I know a wantrepreneur. He made big plans after college to go into the entertainment industry as a manager, took on a client, set up meetings with big names using his parents' connections. Unfortunately he was much better at making plans than ever following through, and his idea of networking involves getting blackout drunk at black tie galas and throwing his business card at anyone with even a hint of status. Two months into a drink and drug bender, his client is leaving him now, emotionally and financially drained and owed a lot of money, and considering leaving an industry which I once knew him to have so much talent and potential for.
I am an entrepreneur. After a year of working for others in industries I'm not suited for and building a solid base to go out on my own, I'm doing my best to make progress every day. Steemit is turning out to be a major factor in said progress. I don't have many friends now. I've isolated myself from anyone who doesn't add value to my life. One of the hardest things about making your own way is coming to terms with exactly how much it is ~your own way~ at least at the beginning. It's so easy to lose focus, to get caught up with parts of life that don't have to do with advancing yourself and end up a wantrepreneur or an abject failure.
Every once in a while I come across a post somewhere on the internet that speaks to me. I found that in your post. You've put into words feelings I often have, and given me the opportunity to reflect on people in my life who, unfortunately, have ended up examples of everything I never want to become. Only time and my own grit will tell whether I succeed or fail, but I appreciate you writing and giving me this moment to think about it. All the best to you,
Wow, @Ausxen, thanks for your sharing. The stories you mentioned, especially the one about yourself, means a lot to me.
I think you're on the right track, and as long as you're making decent progress day by day, you're gonna be ok. Better than ok! Sometimes to really see how much you've come, you have to look back. It's not about living in the past. It's about taking comfort that you've moving forward.
I hope so. The new year has been a great reason to look back. I'm in a very different place today than I was this time last year, not geographically but in terms of personal and financial growth, for sure. I've watched many around me stagnate in this same time.
Thanks for your article.
Haha made me giigle, it was almost like you had someone in mind when you wrote this. A family member needed telling maybe?
Nice that you picked that up! Yup, I do have someone in mind. :)
With all due respect @maverickfoo, some of the most notorious success stories were born out of darkness and despair, in which no one stood with them in their beliefs; Edison, Disney, J.K. Rowling, Ben Franklin to name a few.
While I realize your post is to inspire readers to shake the dust off and get moving; oftentimes, a person seeking to succeed without 'the 9 to 5' aren't considered a fit for the workforce.
Businesses don't want people who are ingenious, who think outside the box. They want sardines. Also, a person who has been off the market for over a year might just need a connection, or two, or three to get a foot in the door. The internet has become a huge AI for filtering applicants.
One glimpse at FB, and they know everything they want to know about you, from age to race.
If you don't sign up as part of this AI, including Linked In, good luck getting a gig, barring a miracle.
There's also the curse of the over-qualified applicant. If you have a degree or two, it'd be best to downplay these worthless pieces of paper, if you're trying to get a gig requiring a high school diploma or less.
It's tough out there if you're in the market for a gig. Don't give up looking; but, don't let those who don't believe in your efforts drain your passion. Things will work out. They always do.
Peace.
Avoid taking exceptions for the rule. Yeah, there are a couple of success stories coming out of desperate situation, but they draw attention precisely because they are exceptions. The millions of failed business are the untold part of the story.
Failing in business should not be a reason to feel ashamed. It's precisely because individual business are so frail that the whole economy is strong: it helps building anti-fragility into the system.
Great point. I know many people lock in on self-sustenance, that before they realize it, they're entrenched in dependency.
Sadly, this is a poor case for the entrepreneurial spirit. My best advice to anyone is whatever job you take to pay the bills, never lose sight of who you really are, i.e. author, painter, photographer, etc.
Acknowledge this fact to the point that people who see you after hours believe you are who you say you are. Photographer? You're forever carrying your camera to catch the perfect shot to upload.
Thanks for chiming in. Your point is well taken.
Btw, welcome to the Steem community! Here's a tip! for your insightful post.
Peace.
Wow, thanks to both of you for amazing comments here, @spiritualmatters and @renandossantos (and welcome to the Steemit community!)
Yup, totally agree that success sometimes come from darkness and despair. I believe it's in those moments that their path for greatness are set.
Truthfully, who are I to judge if someone should give up on their (foolish) endeavours or not. If they have the strength to attempt the same vision after several years of trying and no results, perhaps it will be that same strength that will propel them to greater heights we have yet to see. Walt Disney saw Disneyland in his mind years, decades before it came about.
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There’s a lot of GaryVee sentiment in this post. Being #1 is not (can’t be) for everyone. Self awareness and ego-control are the biggest unlocks, and once you know you, smiling becomes very difficult to avoid.
Yeah, know thyself. Keeping it real, do what's right, reflect/evaluate frequently.
On that note, it's funny how some people can take "fail fast, fast forward" to literally though. They just fell and fell thinking it's gonna lead them forward. Without evaluating the experience, it's just gonna be the same fall over and over again. Ouch.
Lol. That's literally an ouch.
I super agree with you. There is nothing wrong for working in a job that you love. There are many highly successful people who are employed because they are good at what they do. One of my favourite reference is Jack Welch. Brilliant guy, and does his own consulting after retiring.
I don't think you actually disagreed with anything he said though...
There's a difference between successfully doing something you love and unsuccessfully trying to be an entrepreneur.
Yeah, Jack is a legend! GE's stock prices doubled a few times under his leadership. Not many "entrepreneurs" can do that.
Suppose you need courage to give up even if it is not working 😅
It's usually courage against person ego... :)
Yeah... true that...
Hit the point. Running a business is not about getting the fame right off the start. Is about surviving to get the basic income going.
My boss always tell me this, "fight to see who last longer". Even if you're competing against a fierce competition, in the end, those that survive win. Unless you're funded huge money behind to burn, is a whole different story.
Yeah, agree. First step of business is to Survive, then Sustain, then Scale.
Of course got money, then just Scale, then worry about Sustain, then lastly, Survive.
I agree with your post, if we are talking about the ego only. But sometimes there are other reasons, why you don't want to be employee. I will give you my country for example. The minimum salary here is 230 euro per month, and the prices are similar to these in Europe. So my point is that freelancing is a really good way to survive. Sometimes it is hard to motivate yourself and start working, but at least you know that your work will be appreciated and well-paid. :)
Agree! Actually freelancing is not necessary starting an enterprise yet, although some would see it as so. Freelancers usually work solo, but when they start expanding, that's when they become a proper business with systems and operation teams.
I know a guy doing this now, and I was doing it with him until a couple months ago. I might have exited sooner if I'd read this but he's still trying...
Meanwhile everything else I'm doing has been going better since I left the startup.
That's good to know, @telos. Yeah, the startup dream can be an enticing, even addictive one. It's easy to be sucked into it with the promise of fame and fortune. Most come out with none of both.
i like this post nice one ...i dont have much to say
Haha, ok worries.
I agree!!! sometimes is better to go back to a regular job until another opportunity comes along, but not just any opportunity we always have to keep learning new skills and keep learning things that are topics of our dominance, until the right opportunity presents again!! Or you can start a new bussines while you are working in a regular job, you can writte a bussines model and develop it step by step until it becomes a master piece, but you have to be able to not let your self down never, the real entrepreneurs never give up, I think!!
High five there brother! A lot of people think that not giving up means continuing on a dead end business. Like you said, sometimes the change of environment is good to get new insights, ideas and inspirations.
Steemit is a blessing indeed and I am blessed to be part of this flatform. Thank you for enlightenment @maverickfoo ;)
High five!
High five and more of it coming ;)
A bit of a painful read @maverickfoo, because I lost my girl pushing this dream of attaining financial freedom without the support of earned income. Sometimes I wonder if we'd have still been together if I was employed.
Anyways thanks for being direct..
Sorry to hear that, @kofibeatz. A coach and a good friend once told me, always check in with yourself and ask honestly, if it's really worth it. Coz you can achieve the dream, but realize you have no one to celebrate it with.
If you achieve your dream, you will have plenty of company to celebrate it with. Make no mistake about that. Unattached youth is exactly the right time to take risks and gain experience, perhaps in entrepreneurship. It is harder when you already have a ton of responsibilities, financial or otherwise. Or a girlfriend to maintain a relationship with.
Hi @markkujantunen, true and false. Yes, the younger entrepreneur will have drive, speed and perhaps more tech savvy, but a person who started older will have network, domain experience and cultivated expertise. It's true that the latter has more burden to bare, if he has a family and all.
Daym that's deep @maverickfoo.
thats writing without the glove on. damnn, i saw a right hook . LOL..
love the post. well said bro
Thanks for the words of encouragement. See you guys soon!
Oh man, that is sadly a true reality eh? I agree with you to a certain extent. There is actually nothing wrong working in an office, hired by an employer/boss. I have came across people who are an entrepreneur and look down to a 9-5 job. Lol. 😅 I believe everyone is at different stages of life and they are navigating their way out through various ways. Learn to be humble and learning from different people from different background is always a good approach to the road of success. So like you said, attitude is really important. Thanks for sharing such bleeding-truth post! 👍
Hi Michelle. Yeah, sad reality indeed. Not discouraging the failing entrepreneurs, but hey, if they had been going at it for a few years and still little to no progress, it's time to face the fact that they can do something better with their lives. But alas, ego kicks in...
Oh yeahh, thats the word. E-G-O. Such painful word that causes so many people to stop pursuing a wholesome life. Shall always remember to not be ego in any stage of my life!
We all need friendly reminders to ground us from time to time.
Yup and also to have an open heart to listen to advices too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts @maverickfoo! :)
Anytime :)
I haven't read such a painfully honest content for a long time and this one just really strikes a chord! Entrepreneurship is quite the marathon!
If we're always looking for that overnight success in exchange for countless painstaking days; Sometimes it is necessary to look back learn the lessons and count the costs.
I do hope to jump into entrepreneurship but your posts keeps my ego grounded. I don't want to be a wantrepreneuer either though haha!
Being grounded is good, @maxyong. It's good to validate the idea before you jump full time into it. In the meantime, scale down your monthly expenses and try to safe up about 6 months of runway, +20% for emergencies.
Good advise! Thanks! :)
That's the safe path.
The other, more desperate option is to get pregnant, or get someone pregnant, and you'll have 9 months to make shit work! :)
Yeah , entrepreneurship is not for everyone . Gotta be one part insane and another part a masochist :D
Haha, I like how to slide the second part in!
I used to have my own business in landscape - soft & hardscape, interior design and one-stop centre for the rich and VVIP people together with my dad. Its a family business. But it seems that we enter the market too early. The market is not really ready with what we came up with. The goverment and associations also did not give us much support as they said "we are too ambitious". With all the debts starting to building up. We decide to close the business and keep it to a small scale business. Since my ex-boss before have a new exciting work assignment in Dubai, I took the job as a turn-key and brand manager there and also because I miss working in the spa industry. To me it's just a phase in my life. Learning the ups and downs in business & life.
Thanks for your sharing, @izyan. Don't give up on the dream through. It's true that sometimes a product/service can be too ahead of the adoption curve.
A lot of times, this can be prevented if you can master the theory of Market Sophistication, though. I always recommend this video by my friend, Vishen from Mindvalley on the topic. Check it out.
Awesome post, so many people doesn't understand that there are jobs in where you can be an employee and still be free, have a high salary, and become someone, lawyers or politologist I.E
If someone have the capacity to have a high quality job that in some time would allow to fulfill a dream with less risk, it should take it, it's more secure than going full bet
If we love what we do, it no longer becomes a job, right?
And stress can be equal to happiness
@originalworks
a very moving story
God bless you @maverickfoo
Yeah there's nothing wrong with being an employee. It is a comfortable path for the most part and if you have a high enough savings rate, you can buy yourself financial freedom after 10 or so years.
That's so true. Frankly, I know some entrepreneurs who talk about financial freedom, and yet after 10 years, they are nowhere near! Like my Mom always say,
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your article is very good, nothing should be determined, we should always continue until we reach our goals.
Great your posts,i request to you when your free then kindly visit my blog plz.
Being part of the community is truly a blessing to me.iam always saying that i am not an expert blogger but i believe that sharing a little bit of my experiences in this journey thru steemit will count.thanks sir @ maverickfoo for this nice article .
I already thank the person who introduces mi steemit.
The comments here are a treasure trove to say the least.
For anyone who considers being a entrepreneur, I think the required reading / watching you need to do is Y-Combinator's (the Harvard of startup incubators) introductory class to Startup School.
Hear it from the horses mouth -