MaineBusiness.com

It’s Scary!

Being in business for yourself is scary; in fact, it’s downright terrifying at times. In the spirit of Halloween, let’s look at some of the most horrifying aspects of entrepreneurship…

1. Where is the money coming from?

This has to be one of the most frightening aspects of being in business. It starts the day you decide to strike out on your own. It doesn’t matter whether you’re investing money you have, borrowing or attracting other people’s money. This fear continues as the business grows. You worry when you have enough; you worry when you don’t. You worry about making your payroll and you worry about whether or not you’ll be included in your own payroll.

It just never stops!

2. Do I have what it takes? Later: Can I Keep Going any Longer?

Self-doubt is not reserved for people with low self-esteem. In fact, many of the successful people I’ve talked with constantly wonder when the “fraud police” are going to show up and put them out of business! Are you good enough? Are you talented enough? Will people like you and want what you’re selling? Can you keep going in the face of adversity and scarcity?

3. Do I matter?

Is what you’re doing, saying, making or selling important to anyone but you? If so, will it stay important? I think there are always times, particularly during slow periods, when it’s natural to question whether your product or service is still relevant.

4. Can I do what’s right, even when there is great incentive to do wrong?

Halloween is the season that celebrates facing our deepest fears, but also recognizing our most enticing temptations! It’s difficult to do right when others are profiting from doing wrong. It’s hard to maintain quality when costs make it difficult to compete. It’s hard to do the right thing in the face of contrarian criticism or advice. It’s tempting to take short-cuts when you’re not making ends meet.

You can probably come up with some other fearful aspects of being in business for yourself.

When you were a kid you no doubt put on a mask, braved the darkness and rang the doorbell; your reward was a bag full of treats. The same can happen in business. You’ve got to wear some costumes; in a small business you might be wearing all the costumes. You’ve got to strike out into the darkness of the unknown marketplace. You’ve got to ring the doorbell; you’ve also got to ring the phone, send the email, attend the Chamber of Commerce and go to the conventions. Keep doing this long enough you’ll fill your business bag with solid contacts that evolve into friendships and profitable relationships.

Business is real, not a child’s game. Fears in business are tangible; they don’t need to be imagined. The best way to develop courage is to embrace constant self-perfection. Develop your talents and abilities and generate personal power. Practice constantly and prepare yourself for the worst, and the best that business life has to offer. The most courageous people are those who best prepare themselves to face any situation business life may hurl at them.

Courage is not the absence of fear…Courage is taking action despite your fears. There are very few expressions of personal freedom as powerful as self-employment. For those who act courageously the rewards can be unlimited!

Business is just like Halloween, there are treats, and there are tricks! Get up, put on your costume, ring the doorbell and expect a treat!

Jim is the author of Dynamic Components of Personal Power. Visit JimBouchard.org to purchase your copy or to download your FREE 4 chapter preview!

Coming soon: FREE “New Year’s REVOLUTION Kit” including downloadable manual and audio program. We’ve been making and breaking resolutions since the times of the ancient Romans. You don’t need resolutions, you need REVOLUTIONS! Subscribe to Jim’s free e-zine: The Power Page, and you’ll be notified as soon as the kit is available!

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