If that alarm goes off one more time.  Please just five more minutes?  Should I call off today, what excuse can I use this time?  How many more days until my vacation?  If I work through lunch I can leave earlier.  Man, I hope my supervisor approves my day off request.  How do they have a better shift than me and I have way more time with the company than them?  Ugh, why do I have to work on the holiday?  I hate the politics here!

Sound familiar?  Sad to say, this is the conversation that many of us have with ourselves everyday regarding our jobs.  But what happens after we go to work and start fantasizing about our lifelong dream of starting our own business?  What really transpires between turning your internal thoughts into an actual physical step of turning your dream into a reality?   

An Entrepreneur’s Heart

Often, one may find oneself discouraged or talking themselves out of an idea that they have envisioned, photo shopped and have already fabricated a fantasy multimillion-dollar lifestyle, all based on their desire to succeed.  But then all to often, the reality of time, finances, relationships, blocked creative spark plugs and the relentless views of family and friends.  Who could never even fathom the idea of starting their own business, somehow projects their fearfulness upon to you.  Causing you to stumble and prevent you from moving forward with all those billion-dollar dreams and desires that once consumed you.  Now, appearing as a blurred vision, so distant you cannot see clearly and seems inconceivable to grasp.  But what if that wasn’t the case?  What if, dare I say it.  What if you ignored everyone and allowed yourself to be the Entrepreneur that your heart is trying to convince you to be and your mind is telling you to be?  What if you took the scary first step and moved forward with your idea?  What would happen?

Well… Hold on to your seat because the answer will shock and scare the vast majority.  Some may even get offended with the answer, but I am obligated to inform you.  If you move forward with your dreams and idea(s), SUCCESS is bound to consume you!  When you make the decision to finally take ownership of the nagging desire within you take the first step the process will more than likely go as follows:

1.       Fear, of the unknown

2.       Astonishment, in yourself for contacting companies for forms required for your business.

3.       Excitement, because now you’re receiving official mail and emails regarding your business.

4.       Chatterbox, you want to tell everyone your progress out of pure excitement.

5.       Anticipation, for the next step of the process.

6.       Brainstorming, what tasks need to be done next.

7.       Self-doubt, second guessing yourself and what your capable of.

8.       Hopeful, imagining how life will be once your business takes off.

9.       Anxiety, of the costs associated with your project and where the funds will come from.

10.   Inspired, because now you’ll start to surround yourself with like-minded people and you are now paying attention to things necessary to help you accomplish your goal(s).

11.   Back to Anxiety, because you see your goals are almost complete and realize the positive change that is going to occur in your life.

12.   Victory Dance, because you’ve completed your goal and can physically see your business.  

Now, I am not saying that there will not be other emotions and repeat emotions in between those previously mentioned. But what I am saying is that YOU WILL GET THROUGH THEM!

Here are some Tips, you may find of use to get you through each emotion:

Tip #1: Find an outlet that you can escape to.  Whether big or small.  It must be something that always brings you joy and can distract your mind.  Allowing yourself a mental break to reset yourself.  I personally like to watch movies, take a bath, or take a drive. 

Tip #2: Celebrate each step! No matter how big or small the task.  Whether you opened a PO Box, created business cards, or obtained your business license.  Toast each step because each step is necessary, to get you closer to starting your business.  Also, this way you can technically say you celebrated every step of the way, no matter how rocky or smooth your journey.

Tip #3: Limit who you share your victories with.  Often, while trying to protect you from failing, family and friends can sometimes actually be discouraging.  Ironically, you may at times find it easier to share your wins with complete strangers.  Since they are not invested or affected by your situation in any way, by default the only opinion they generally will have are “well wishes” and “congratulations.”  And honestly, most times that is all you really want and need to hear.  Especially if you are having a rough time moving forward.     

Tip #4: Before moving forward to any step.  Make a list of everything required to start your business/goal/idea all the way to its completion.  Next, within each step, write a detailed list of required steps.  Including contact numbers, forms to complete and the cost.  Note how long the process will take and your own personal deadline date.  Also try to chronologically order what tasks take priority and which are pre-requisites.     

Tip #5: Always be open to information, no matter if it is new old or something you already know.  Remember nothing happens by chance!  If knowledge comes to you for a second time, it could be because you are going to gain a little more info than before or maybe even hear of an easier way to do something.  If not, listen anyway.  It is always better to purge duplicate information out of your memory bank than to not have any information.  Always remember to be grateful and thankful for information and resources that people offer to share with you, because information is gained in two ways.  Through extensive research or by debt card.  So, consider it a gift as their way of silently rooting for you to prosper and succeed.   

Tip #6: Know when to walk away and start fresh the next day with a “New Eye”.  Sometimes when you become so overwhelmed with your “things to do list”, deadlines and endless research.  It is easy to become frustrated and lose focus.  Everything becomes a blur, and nothing seems quite right.  When this happens…WALK AWAY.  Go, no, RUN to your outlet.  Release your mind from the burdensome cloud and start anew the next day with a “New Eye”.  I PROMISE YOU; you will see things clearer that you did not see before.  THANK ME LATER😊

Final Thoughts:

Change is never an easy thing.  Whether it is moving into a new home, school, job or even throwing away your favorite pair of shoes.  It is always the fear of the unknown that sucks you back into your comfort zone, that is your comfort and hindrance.  But one thing always remains true.  If you never try, you will never know.  There is nothing wrong with a failed attempt but there is always something wrong with a venture never journeyed.  Failure in business is NEVER a loss.  Failure, if you choose to call it that, is a courageous person who had a vision despite every obstacle.  Who maintained their drive and will to succeed and stayed obedient in moving forward.  Who created opportunities to employees and fellow onlookers the hope of knowing that they too can do anything they put their mind to.  Whether their venture succeeds or no, they possess the skill, power, and knowledge it takes to bring any dream to reality.