THE BAD SIDE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Here’s the thing… people won’t understand what the fuck you are doing, or why you are doing it.

You will be told (more than once) to get a proper job.

At times, you will be isolated as fuck, and riddled with self -doubt.

People who you loved/cared for/respected as industry friends and peers will turn on you,block you, bitch about you and generally surprise you by their actions.

This hurts more than you can imagine.

I have (a few times) suffered with a depression like I have never had, and let’s not forget I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack when I didn’t deal with my stress levels.

Motivating yourself when you work from home/coffee shops is a lot harder than you think. If you go ‘all in’ expect for a period of time that your health, sanity, sex life, relationships,sleep, diet will suffer.

You will be disheartened at the lack of instant success (as many promise) for some. If something seems too good to be true, especially online, it isn’t true.

NO ONE PERSON, SYSTEM OR PRODUCT CAN DO THE WORK FOR YOU.

Effort, showing up, commitment,passion, drive and sacrifice (for a period) are all ‘key players’ in making it online.

There is NO magic pill to online success.

It’s not uncommon to turn to drink, drugs, risky behaviour, succumb to mood swings when the pressure gets to you. I know I did (and more than a few other successful entrepreneurs I know have).

Stress. Get used to it and learn how to manage it -learn to ask for help you NEED a support network, having someone to talk to is crucial.

Loneliness is commonplace, as is self-doubt

You will compare yourself to others, it will suck.

Social media can paint a very attractive picture, but is often smoke and mirrors.

Some very successful people (as shown online) are broke as fuck.

There is NO magic pill, instant success, or quick fix. Like any business, this takes consistent time, effort and commitment.

THE GOOD SIDE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

It’s not all bad –here’s the good stuff.

For me -I am now completely in control of my finances, debt free, am able to support my sister, travel the world, and do the ‘big shop’ at Waitrose (I’ve wanted that since I was a kid!)

I am blessed -truly blessed -to have some of the best clients it’s possible to have.

I only work with people (now anyway) that I truly love to work with.

My success (or lack of) is solely down to me. It has taught me to be accountable,responsible and self-reliant.

However, if you DO need help -ASK!I’ve been amazed at the people that have come to my aid in the online world as they ‘get it’.

I have friends in I think every mildly civilised country in the world, and can stay with them whenever -and regular visit new people, cultures and places.

The friends I have made online have become some of the closest people to me, and know more about me (and vice-versa) than many of my ‘offline friends’.

I’m never bored.

Pretty much most days I have fun, enjoy what I do and look forward to what I can no longer call ‘work’.

Success leaves clues -invest in those that are further along than you.

NO-ONE is ‘better’than you.

Spend as much time around successful and smart people as you can. It’s an old one but a good one -if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.

I spend a LOT of time hanging out with people way better than me, and it has accelerated my career immensely.

Daily, I receive anywhere from 5-10 messages from people who I have helped, inspired or changed their life in some way. Many of these people I have NEVER interacted with.

I am going to go turbo-gay,but this does make me well up more than you think.

I believe I am making a difference, and am helping more people than I ever could offline.

And my office fits into a pocket.