Why become an entrepreneur?
On why you are on a Mission and it is not Mission Impossible
So why do it?
Why put yourself through the crazy roller-coaster of a ride with the ups and downs, the struggles, disappointments and sorrows of starting your own shop, when you could be having a peaceful and calm life working for a corporation or someone else?
The answer is simple: for the love of it.
Yesterday was a down moment on my entrepreneurial joy-ride.
"What is my purpose?" - I couldn't seem to shake the horrid idea away from me.
All my friends are happily employed in large companies and I was the crazy one who decided to play with the idea of becoming independent and having my own company. Not an easy decision to make, when you are the only one - out of your entire circle of friends - making it.
You see, each of my friends has an office and colleagues, meetings and lunches, agendas and a whole day planned out by the rigid structures of a corporation. They have a purpose to go into the office every day. They have colleagues who will miss them when they're not there. The have a boss who will throw a fit when the deadline is not met. They are relevant.
An entrepreneur's biggest struggle at the beginning is the struggle to stay relevant.
When you are an entrepreneur it feels like you are floating - on a life boat - desperately trying to stay buoyant. Sure, you have a vision and a mission but no deadlines and nobody to report to other than yourself. It's a survival game and you are fighting with your own self, your insecurities, your doubts.
There will be days when you will question yourself and your project so fiercely that you will be on the verge of giving up. Don't. You didn't come all this way to just throw everything you've worked for out the window. Persevere. Nobody said it was easy.
It's easy to loose the bigger picture and give into self pitying-doubt. That's not why you set out on this venture in the first place.
Which brings me to my point: Mission. You need to have a clear picture of where you are going and what you want to achieve. You need to understand what will drive you as an entrepreneur every day, to get out of bed and do what it is you are meant to do. Make sure your Mission is clear, strong, inspiring and emotional. Above all you need to believe in that Mission. It's something that will make you tick and strive for more. And in moments of doubt you will not falter, because you are on a mission and nothing will divert your focus, nor your energy.
As for my Mission: Inspire and develop the exploration of the world, curiosity, creativity, courage, imagination and sense of wonder among children to let them discover themselves, their passions and their purpose in life.
Rome wasn't built in a day.
For the love of it, we shall persevere!
Lots of Academic Love,
Mags
