The following is an email I recently received from one of our newsletter subscribers:
“Dear David:
I work fulltime, i am a single mother with a twelve year old daughter involved in extracurricular activities. I am “trying” to start a business, I desire to start a business, but I don’t have the time or necessary capital at this time. I have a boring dead end job and I don’t have much energy to pursue my business desires fulltime. Again I do apologize, but I am at a standstill and don’t really know what my next move will be.â€
I am surprised at the number of emails I receive every day from individuals telling me how much they would love to start a business “Only if…†– Only if they had the money, Only if they had the time, Only if they had the energy, Only if they didn’t have so many other things happening in their lives, Only if circumstances were different etc. etc.
When deciding to start a business you first need to ask yourself – “Am I passionate about the (whatever the business is)?†Passion will direct you to do what you want. Too many will look at all the reasons they can’t open a business instead of looking at all the reasons they should. Just think if our reader above had started her business a few years ago she may have had the time to spend with her daughter, the money to do more of what she wants and the energy to enjoy life.
People will do what they are passionate about. People will spend their time on what they set as a priority for their life. People will find the money to spend where they want to spend it. The “Only If…†statements are just an excuse to not move forward with something. To say “Only if†you are taking your responsibility and trying to give it to someone or something else. People that do this try to make themselves feel better, but rarely ever do.
I recently had the in-laws at my house and they were talking about how they just don’t have money to do certain things. I sat and listened for a while about how they just can’t seem to get ahead and how if we had a different President we would have more opportunities and money, etc. I have a very fundamental belief that some have told me is just ignorant – I believe that those who want to make a difference in their lives can do so, no matter where they live in the United States, no matter where they grew up, no matter how much money they have, no matter what politician is in office, and no matter what others tell them they can or can not do.
I was told I was ignorant because I haven’t lived in the shoes of those in desperate situations and areas of America where people “don’t have the opportunity to do thingsâ€. They are correct, I haven’t lived in the shoes of everyone in America, but what I can do is give an example of someone who has and has made it out of their shoes and into something better. There are thousands of examples of Americans living in poverty only to become multimillionaires. Why did they make it out? How did they make it out of their circumstances?
One answer: “They believed in themselves and didn’t let anyone tell them it couldn’t be done.†That’s it, belief in yourself. That’s all it takes. Sounds easy and for some it will be very difficult.
The great thing about America is that everyone has the opportunity to believe in themselves and make a difference not only in their own lives but the lives of others.
I know, some of you are asking how does this relate to me starting my business right now? I still don’t have any money and work full time and have a family.
My answer: Prioritize! Then Act! You need to decide the priorities in your life first. For some of you starting a business won’t be a priority, but that’s because you said it’s not – not because someone else told you it wasn’t or because you think there are too many reasons you can’t. It should only come down to whether or not you believe enough in yourself and are passionate enough about your idea. Once you have made the choice to start take action! Action will create more action and more action creates the reality of accomplishing your priorities.
David Gass
President & Founder
Business Credit Services, Inc.
