It has been almost a year since I became an entrepreneur, went out on my own (well, with a ton of support and a business partner, but still) and basically took the biggest risk of my life. I have often wondered what propelled me to be able to take a risk like starting a company. Certainly, I have had a ton of support, guidance and help. But my younger self would have never taken this kind of financial and emotional risk.
As I have talked about before, I am a single parent who solely provides for the emotional, physical and financial support of myself and my children. And I have realized that in the past, the more seemingly stable my life was, the less risk I was willing to take. When I was younger, I was so afraid that I would put further pressure on an already strained family life. Since getting over the fear to do things I have never done in the first half of my life (ran a marathon, climbed Mt. Washington, started my own company, fell in love again), I have learned a few things through the process of facing those fears:
1. Hard work and commitment to a fulfilling life really do pay off.
This sounds cliché, but it is so true. I think of all the people I have watched jump from job to job looking for just the right one…for more money, more title, more whatever they are looking for that day or week. Reaching your dreams doesn’t happen overnight. The seeds must be sown day in and day out, over and over, which can be boring. That’s the only way it works.
2. So does treating people with respect. People never forget how you made them feel.
This is a big one. I have met many different people over the past 25 years in my career and personal life. Time and time again, it has been shown to me that the way I treated others, even when I don’t remember how I treated them, came back to me in spades, good and bad. It has been repeated to me countless times over the past year; “It is so great to catch up! I remember the time that you…”.
3. The first year is way harder on everyone than you expect.
Everyone told me that becoming an entrepreneur was the hardest thing they have ever done. I thought, “Well, maybe for them, but I got this”. Ha! Funny how life works. It has been exhausting and rewarding and fun but really hard work. I have learned more about myself and put more pressure on the people around me than I thought I would. There have been sacrifices I did not expect.
4. It is really fun to do your own thing.
I like that we as a team get to build a culture that feels good and mirrors our personalities. We are certainly not perfect, but I am so appreciative of our team and the clients we have that are growing with us, through all the ups and downs. We give each other a break and so do our clients. We are building something really, really cool. And fun.
5. Whatever you decide to do, do it because you are excited and passionate about it. Money will follow.
I am confronted by people all the time who ask, “Have you earned your first million yet?” I know the intent of the question is good. However, I always think that the millions I may or may not make really isn’t my objective in life. I would love to go into Nordstrom and buy whatever I want, go on vacation wherever I want and generally be free to spend the time with friends and family that I want. Those are pretty much my financial goals. Sure, I need to pay the bills and put the kids through college and not live in a cheap nursing home…but I really just want to laugh, have fulfilling experiences, spend time with friends and family and not be broke. If that makes my financial goals be in the millions, then so be it I guess.
6. Fear is overcome when you look it in the face. The best stuff comes after you have stopped being afraid.
I was scared to death to be divorced, to be alone and more scared to risk a steady paycheck to leave my company. Scared to take on debt to further my education. Scared to open myself up again to someone. Scared all the time. I just started saying “yes” to being afraid because something great seems to always be on the other side of my fear. So I am in. Let’s do this.
7. While everyone around you is proud of you for what you have accomplished, it is not more proud than you are of yourself.
I have this internal conversation with myself that goes something like this: “I cannot believe you are doing this. You have no business starting a business.” And my other self says, “Believe it. You and the people you surround yourself with are rockin” it!”
So get out there and do it! Whatever it is you have been thinking about making happen in your life, do it. Someone really smart said, “Start today. This time next year, you will have wish you had”. It is one year later after saying “yes” to a new world and my life has completely changed, for the better.
Karen Edmondson says
I am so very very happy for you. You are such an inspiration to all of us. It is such an honor to know you.