It’s not easy to start something. You ought to know, your are probably starting something yourself.
You started something because you wanted to change something. You still do and you have faith in your ideas and your vision.
You know there are some risks involved, but sometimes you fear how those around you could be affected by your vision. But they say they support you. Could be they have no choice, or maybe they just care about you (more than they care about your ideas).
But if you want to change the world (or your world) with your vision and enjoy the little victories that come when you start something worthwhile and meaningful, you need to learn to manage the little joy thieves that make starting something so hard. Those joy thieves live inside you…and that’s your biggest problem.
Of all the resources you need to start something meaningful, the most valuable and rare…it’s you. There’s plenty of resources out there that can help you achieve stuff, but there’s only one of YOU. And if you are not willing to make something…there’s nothing you can do about it. In turn…if you are set on achieving something…nothing can stop you.
Yes! Money can be an issue…but it’s already there as long as you look for it. Yes! Sometimes you need approvals and deal with gate keepers, but there’s always an open door. Sure! People will let you down and betray you, but for every douche bag, there are 2-3 heroes around.
It’s not easy to start something, because your little joy thieves have a way to crawl into your heart and fill you with thoughts and fears that can ruin everything. But you can be prepared.
Your Doubts will make you feel stupid and worthless
I bet you’ve heard those a few times already. And the thing is the more you have achieved, the harder your doubts hit you. But you know the script…it never changes. “Who do you think you are?” “Who made you an expert?” “No one will care” “You are making a ridicule of yourself” “Please, no one knows you outside your house…” “You barely passed high school, what makes you think you can do this?”
All these thoughts will come. They are natural and there’s nothing wrong if you think that. That’s why planning and coming up with strategies before hand it’s so important. Because when doubt comes, you need to have faith in you and your plan. Yes, plans tend to change, but based on facts that lead to adaptation. Listen, if you are in this earth and you can identify a passion that drives you to do good…it means you have something to offer to the world.
The tirelessness will make make everything is a waste of time
When you start something, you’ll need to push harder than other times in your life. You’ll get tired. I mean, yes everybody gets tired. But you’ll get tired faster and harder. Be honest when your self when you get tired. It is very important you do so, because you’ll begin to lose enthusiasm and you might miss the point on all your efforts. Not only that, you will be irritable to yourself and the people that surrounds you.
I’ve had friends tell me to stop being so hostile with them, and I haven’t even noticed. But the truth is I’ve been so tired that sometimes expect people to behave in a way that makes me feel important or something. But they don’t have to. They owe you nothing for following your dreams. That’s why it’s important to rest. Take time off for your self and take a walk. The distraction and the rest will fuel your brain and freshen up your heart.
The extra time will consume you like cotton candy in a kid’s mouth.
Most likely your nights are long. Maybe you and your spouse have clashed already about how much she/he hates going to bed alone while you work. Sometimes it hurts having a measly 1/3 of a brochure after pulling an all nighter, but that’s how this works.
Sometimes you just can’t help yourself…and I should know. I’ve pretended to go to bed early and wait till my wife falls asleep to continue working. It sucks feeling like you are doing something wrong while sneaking to your computer in the middle of the night to keep working. But in the end the thrill of making something a reality is what gets the best of us.
You feel small when people try to give advice and try to connect you with a guy that can give you a job, but you know where you are going.
Not everybody gets it. Some still believe in the security of the day job. The fact you are starting something shows you don’t trust much on the power of the day job, even if you love yours. Just be thankful people care enough to give you advice. Remember that one day they’ll be the ones asking you for advice. It still surprises me when someone tells me “I need to ask your advice”, because it wasn’t long before all I heard is “Let me give you some advice.”
The purpose of this post is to inspire you to keep going down the path your vision takes you to start something that matters. I know it can be difficult and scary, so you are not alone. Let me share some quotes that inspire me to keep going and help me beat those pesky joy thieves.
We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
Walt Disney
Don’t let fear or insecurity stop you from trying new things. Believe in yourself. Do what you love. And most importantly, be kind to others, even if you don’t like them.
Stacy London
