Believe in Yourself
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.”
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 things”. 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.
Crowd Funding Book by David Gass
18 comments
hi David. so inspiring. thanx for that. take care Paula.
Very intresting. I wish I could get started with ours we are online but i cannot get the advertising out there for the sales to get generated.
I absolutely agree. Passionate and a definite chief aim will direct your paths to unlimited success.No matter what it may be!
I absolutely agree.Have a passion Set a definite chief aim. Guide it and steer it. And there will nothing that will be impossible.
What you are saying is greet, but I did start my bussiness in graphic design office from home and I am stock now i have to work 70 hours a week to suport my family and I have no time or money to keep doing my buz.
David,
I did prioritize, I decided that if I didn’t refinance my home to start my business,I would lose it. I was out of work on disability for three years,collecting long term disability. My Dr. says if I continue to wrk full time that I will be in a wheel chair soon. But I couldn’t face losing my home. My disability was taken away from me because corporate america decided that 4 dengenerated disks in my low back that keep me in constant pain, and unbearable unless heavily medicated, was no reason not to be able to work. So they took away the disability insurance I paid very heavily for. Well now that I have the business, I find myself with a cash flow problem and find it very difficult to find the time to research where I as a woman can get a BUSINESS GRANT. Any shortcuts you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!
Your statement is true. I have had terrible financial experiences. When I saw opportunity to get ahead the car broke down, so therefore monies that would come from my next pay would go towards repairs. Shortly after that the job would cut back my hours or be deleted altogether. I have been robbing Peter to pay Paul for a long time.Not to mention the backing up of bills with the finance charges. If you don’t have a vehicle where I live it is difficult to make a paycheck. If your out of work for a short time you get behind and it is hard to catch up car notes, rent, electric. I have been praying for a break. The more overtime I am able to obtain goes toward some item that is behind. That even goes for the small parttime jobs I pick up from time to time. I even sing. I would love to make part of my living from this passion as well as someday soon retailing fine apparel. Sometimes the pay isn’t that much but I thank God if I can at least get a ful tank of gas to get to work the next week. Thanks for your advice. It is very helpful and no you are not ignorant. Your on point
Lillie
I have started businesses in the past and I am working to bring with your company to bring one into compliance now. Passion is a wonderful thing, but capital is like air. Passionate or not,you can only hold you breathe for so long. Then you either find some air or you die. In this case your company dies. I try to live by the motto that, ‘you never fail, until you stop trying.’ I will never stop trying. I have a website that was getting not traffic. Usabuymart.com. Now that I am getting traffic. I am getting no sales. When I invested in the site I was “assured”, or maybe I assured myself, that this would work. I just needed to get started. Why hasn’t it worked? according to them, I just need to upgrade to a better website or pay for more classes. When I met them I could be successful with the free site. Go figure. There always seems to be just one more thing. And then……. Never give up. It is the only thing that keeps me going. Trying to learn from my mistakes is something I have to learn. ‘trust, but verify,’ as they say. We need to keep in mind that there are people out there who’s “passion” it is to separate us from our money. It is their job. It is how they make a living. I have many passions. writting is one of them. Sorry.
I DO AGREE WITH YOU 100% BUT HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT FINANCING WHEN YOUR CREDIT STAND ON THE WAY AS A RESULT OF PAST VENTURES THAT FAILED, BUT YOU DETERMINE TO FORGE AHEAD ONLY TO BE STOPPED BY LACK OF CREDIT AND NO SOURCE TO FUND YOUR PROJECT
To the lady who wants to start a business:
I am an owner of two Curves for Women in KY. I recommend that inorder to stat any business one must become healthy, strong, mentally and morally straight. I would recommend before pursuing this business that she get to a Gym like Curves and begin to increase her level of vitality. this should in my opinion be important enough to be in her personal and business planning. Once she begins to feel more enegetic, she will notice that she has more productive time to pursue her business endeavors. Gary Heavin the CEO and founder of Curves is a great inspiration to starting a business as is Zig Ziglar and countless others. I hope she does well and reahes her dream.
She can email me if she would like to correspond.
Here are some additional comments emailed directly to me:
“Yeah. I started my decade and a half old business on invoices, and once started one on a dime – literally.”
“I love the stuff you write! Thank you. Toni
Capital Balance, LLC, Empowering Your Business
Toni Frank”
“david i am going to do this i just need some money so lets talk thanks – Stanley”
“o.k. i’m glad i read that letter that’s me consumed with work and asking myself when i’m going
to have time to continue, well i make this pledge today i’m going to finish. – Anthony”
“I have a business. However I M BROKE and my credit is bad. If I had money right now I would make money. But nobody will loan to me and I cannot pick a partner out of mid-air. This unfortunately is not an excuse but harsh reality. – Daryl”
“I BELIEVE IN MY BUSINESS IDEA AND MYSELF TO MAKE IT WORK. I ALSO NEED
CAPITOL TO GET IT STARTED. WHERE DO I START????????????????? – WANDA”
Thank you for the inspiration. I believe in myself and have passion for what I am doing. We are a NEW not for profit org. with little funds, any suggestions you can give is excellent.
David, your article was right on. I would add determination to passion and you will be successful. Add BCS and you will realize your business dreams. Valerie
David is absolutely correct, self belief is the one single tool that you need for success. However, that doesn’t mean it will be easy or fast. My recommendation to many people is to educate yourself some more before jumping in to a business venture on your own. Education answers most of the questions posted here, and without education you may struggle to succeed. I don’t mean to say that you should use a lack of education as an excuse not to start, you will never know everything you need to in order to run a successful business, and that is okay. Action is more important than education. However, the life of the entrepreneur is finding answers and solving problems. If you cannot find the answers to basic questions on your own, then you may struggle to start a successful business. The belief that you will succeed will give you the motivation and perseverance to learn what you need to, do what you need to, and ultimately never let anything stand in your way.
right on track. this is America and anyone with passion desire focus and simply an idea can create dreams come true. with passion and focus you will find capital and creative ways of gaining it.
great news Mr. Gass
Dave,
You are 100% correct. I personally have been known to keep making excuses. I kept putting it off because I was making a living working a job and was fearful at taking the steps needed to start my own. However, I am now unemployed and the only option being presented is to start my own because the job market is so hectic. Now I have no income to help start up my business and poor credit history so I have been unsuccessful at receiving and help financially. However, I am still dedicated and motivated at starting my own Bookkeeping company and am curretly enrolling in classes to further my education because I have all the skills but no degree. So this is my moment to invest more into myself in order to become ALL THAT I CAN BE!!!
Thanks for evertyhing…
Samantha
Michigan
Thanks for the inspiration.but i’m in the same shoes as some of your readers – no funds and no way to get them. please help!
You are on the money with everything that you said about passion. That is what is driving me. know and have faith in God that He, is going to provide the resources for me to complete this venture, and you are right succeed at it, by becoming a millionaire. Think and grow rich. A great read. This is awesome!!!! Stay positive people and do not allow negativity to get in your ear. Be blessed.