Being an entrepreneur is both rewarding and challenging. People who aren’t entrepreneurs have a lot of misconceptions about people who are: you’re a renegade, you don’t play by the rules, you have unlimited wealth and resources. Being an entrepreneur has a certain mystique. It’s romantic, kind-of sexy to be able to set your own schedule, turn down jobs that you don’t want. But the truth? It’s a lot of hard work! It has its ups and downs, but it is a thing of beauty when it all comes together. Here are some of the myths I’ve come across in my years in the entrepreneurial ring, and what I’ve learned from it all.
Myth #1 – Own Business = Quick Money.
Fact – There is no such thing as easy money – unless you’ve won the lottery! It’s important to not become obsessed with your money-making desires. Starting your own business is not just about the profits. It is also about enjoying the process of having created something that is wholly yours. Running a business is about long-term success, not the quick turnaround. Plan your work, and work your plan. You can’t go into business expecting to have instant success, or that you will naturally earn profits, or that they will come quickly. Plan to scrimp for the first year or two. So if you have a product or service that is in demand, take your time and do it right, and make sure that growing too fast doesn’t sink your business.
Myth #2 – Entrepreneurs are born, not made.
Fact – Success takes practice, time and dedication. Nothing more. I sometimes think that this myth is perpetuated by entrepreneurs themselves in order to feed their own ego! There isn’t anything that you can’t learn to do, especially when you have a fervent passion for something. Focused thoughts and smart implementation are what you need to work the entrepreneurial field. I like what Thomas Jefferson said – “The harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” Sometimes all we see is the result, and we forget about all the sweat, tears and hard work that went in to that result. And isn’t it wonderful to know that you could bring that kind of “luck” to yourself?
Myth #3 – You must be in the right place at the right time.
Fact – Right where you are is the right place and time. But people who choose to believe this myth are a cautious bunch. They plan their hours of work carefully, in addition to cautiously selecting where they are going to set up their shop to coincide with the stars’ alignment. Every card must be in place. They cannot stomach the notion of failing. With all the good faith and might of their gods, their business will not fail. Unfortunately, it is their business that will not see the light of day. You make adjustments to your business, sometimes quite drastic changes – but you don’t close up shop. When the going gets tough, change your game plan!
These three myths all deal with scenarios that are “supposedly” out of our control – but isn’t it amazing to think that it’s all about what we do with what we are given that makes the difference?
A self-made millionaire by 31, international speaker and author Melissa Evans is The Guru of Implementation and President of The Broshe Group, a consulting firm that helps businesspeople Monetize their Soul/Sole Purpose – to live abundantly and passionately. Download your free special report, “10 Myth Busters About Entrepreneurship That Could Derail You”: www.broshegroup.com
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