Once you’ve done the mental work, there comes a point you have to throw yourself into action and put your heart on the line. – Phil Jackson
People who aren’t runners assume that they can’t perform at the level of trained marathoners. New entrepreneurs do look at experienced entrepreneurs and assume that they can perform at that level.
Experienced entrepreneurs perform at the level they do because they have years of training. We’ve fallen into enough holes to know how to climb out of them, we’ve learned how to pace ourselves for the marathon, and we have successful environments that keep us rolling when times get tough.
I’ve done a lot of things in my life, and few things have been more full-contact than being an entrepreneur. It tests your emotional resolve. It changes your social networks. It strips away the security you once had in a steady, predictable paycheck. You have to learn to embrace uncertainty and deal with what comes.
And that’s when times are good.
When times are bad, you will want to quit. You’ll start fantasizing about getting a job, showing up, doing what you’re told, and going home to have some peace and tube time. You’ll hate the plans, projections, gambles, and opportunity-making that you have to do every day.
Experienced entrepreneurs know this and separate how they feel from what they’ll do. They know that the downs are as much a part of the life as the ups, and the fact that they stick through the downs is what makes them successful.
Most experienced entrepreneurs cover up their mistakes so that you don’t see them anymore. On the outside, it looks like everything they do is perfect, but you don’t see the tucking and rolling that happens behind the scenes. They’ve learned not to let minor missteps and obstacles sap their energy and confidence — again, it’s a matter of emotional fortitude and resolve.
Rather than reading this post and seeing what you lack, I hope you’re looking at it for what it is — a reminder that success requires stamina, and you get stamina by training and experience. (Tweet this.)
You get out there and see what works and what doesn’t.
You get up and take care of your people.
You tuck, roll, and keep moving.
You might be able to run with your guru in time, but, for today, focus on running at your own rate. That’s the only way you’ll get there.
Lace up and get going.
PS: Yes, it’s worth it.
Hey Charlie,
thanx for the reminder – I tend to overlook the “failures” of the people I admire, and believe that everything they do turns into gold. Of course that’s not true, but you never have the insights they do and that’s why one comes up with thoughts like this !
It’s true that you have to get used to the rhythm of being an entrepreneur, but if you keep at it, you’ll make it happen. Sooner or later 🙂
When I began my coaching business almost 10 years ago I used to have a mantra and it may sound silly, but it really worked: “Everything that comes out of my mouth is gold.” And that didn’t mean I didn’t make mistakes, but that there was always something of value, always a gift if I went looking for it. That mantra has helped me get through many ups and downs on entrepreneurial roller coaster!
Thanks so much for writing this. I forget this all too often.
Hells yeah! Starting my own business has taught me one very important thing about people – no matter who you are, how big, how successful, how rich, how productive, essentially, at the bottom of it all, you are the same as me, with the same human fears, worries, needs, wants and desires.
You’ve just been at this game of entrepreneurship longer & figured out how to ride the waves better. And if you can do it, so can I 🙂 And I will. As long as I keep listening to my intuition and moving forward, one day at a time.
Pretty cool huh.
I love how you put this, Tia! Here’s to learning to ride those waves! 😉
Jessilicious!? I think I’m in adoration! Thanks – it’s a great feeling to know there isn’t a magic pill we’re missing huh 😉
Thanks for the well-timed push Charlie!
Not only do new entrepreneurs think they can do as well as experienced ones, they also (at least I did) think they can do it quickly. I’m 5 weeks into blog writing and have gotten discouraged because I don’t have a big following and have barely made any money. I know every blogger I follow talks about the months of hard work they had to put in before they began to see results, but you always dream of instant success.
So along with stamina, new entrepreneurs need patience. C’mon Rick, it’s only been 5 weeks! Your post will help me to stay course and I will achieve my goals.
Thank you, Charlie! You have a knack for posting these gentle reminders just when I need them most. This is the perfect way for me to start my year-end review. This is my time to reflect on my business and plan for the year ahead.
Hey Charlie!
Thanks for the reminder on this…. I tend to forget that I am building up stamina – and especially that those that I look up to and admire were once where I am now and had to build that stamina as well… 😉
So true thanks. I have been running my own business for a while but my wife is just getting going with hers. It is cool to have posts like this to remind us both about the reality of working for ourselves.
Charlie!
Merry Holidays and Happy New Year!
I’m continually refreshed by your authenticity and honest inspiration. Thank you for the reminder that as entrepreneurs we are always “in training.”
And you’re right. It’s worth it!
Charlie, you the man!
What you have shared here is validated by numerous books about entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship which have been written over the years, so go team.
The entrepreneurial personality is different from the 9 to 5 temperament.
If you succeed, you can write your own paycheck. However, as you have rightly pointed out, that’s easier said than done.
Only the Lord knows how much “sweat, blood and tears” you have shed in your business ventures, but look at you now.
You are already an established maverick of a small business set-up, good for you.
So what if another one bites the dust, just like the song. Pick yourself up and get back in the game. You’re good to go.
Cheers.
This post is so true. Thanks for the reminder. I am an entrepreneur and a single parent and about a year ago I realized if I am going to do this for the rest of my life I need stamina, good health, and a positive attitude.
Lisa
http://www.singleparentsavings.wordpress.com
Nice and thx for the exhale… and for the reminder that elegance comes with practice…and there are still spills. Also reminds me that what is flowing in one domain may be jerky, awkward, seemingly impossible in another. (Do I hear the sounds–tapping fingers–of a book chapter or side bar coming on?)
That is the reason why I am not making as much money as I could. I burn out very easy. Something I hope to work on in 2011. 🙂
Loved the post! Sometimes we think were only ones feeling this way, then you read a great post like this one and its like re-fueling the entrepreneurial tank.
Thank you! I’m working on mastering the tuck and rolll. 🙂
I really like your insights. Perseverance is the key. En-ship is a marathon, not a sprint race.
Very true.
I think you covered it all. Now at the two and a half year mark and things are starting to roll along well- but still often day dream of the simplicity of a bi-weekly pay cheque and a free weekend to do what I want. But then I get to decide how I want to spend my day and I am back in it!
Yes, it’s worth it.
But no, it’s not for everyone.
Sometimes I get the feeling everyone has not just the right, but the personal obligation to be an entrepreneur. That couldn’t be more far from truth. It’s a privilege to be an entrepreneur, and as a privilege, you have to do it just if you are fully committed to it, and ready to do what it takes, whenever you have to.
In the spirit of the article, I’m ready and excited to fail 100 times! I know that I’ll be learning from my mistakes and experiences, and ultimately if I do, I”ll do well!
Hey Charlie,
You got a good point there. Every action needs momentum and without that momentum our efforts are worthless. We are beings that learn and this applies in the world of business too. Without training, experience and purpose our entrepreneurial adventure would lead to an imminent failure. But most important is too keep doing it every day as an athlete.
Charlie,
Thanks for posting! It’s something I’ve heard before but as I start a new year it’s a great reminder. I WAS thinking about my failures as I read the post. I’m taking a step back and starting again – in a slow trot!
I’m glad this helped, Michelle. It’s something that’s easy to forget.
Hi Charlie,
Great post! A while back I read Haruki Murakami’s “What I talk about when I talk about Running” – even though it’s about marathons and how writing a book is one too, I think it also applies to business and long-term success.
Yes, it takes hard work and stamina, and yes, it is worth it! A great reminder and I like your perspective. We can all fall into the trap of thinking that other people have an easier time of things than we do, but the ones who succeed are the ones that keep on keeping on.
Thanks, Charlie. This article was so validating and reassuring.
I was lucky enough to be mentored by a successful marketing exec while I was navigating the waters with my new company. During one of our coaching sessions I expressed to him one of my fears, rather than entertain that fear he said “if have not got the stomach for this get out!” Now when I need a quick fix I repeat that to myself.