As an fledgling entrepreneur, it’s easy to think small. To think that you’re not really all that powerful and that all you need to do is survive and make ends meet. But this is exactly the opposite of how today’s entrepreneurs need to be thinking. In this post-big-business era, there is a call to the new class of entrepreneurs to step up, think big, and make an impact!
Sure you can hide behind your self-imposed limitations and believe your inner-saboteur that keeps chanting “you don’t know what you’re doing, you don’t have enough experience, you don’t have enough money or wherewithal”. That ornery little troll, your inner-saboteur, isn’t going anywhere so you can choose to either be it’s slave or break free of it and get in touch with your God-given power and gravitas. Don’t let the little troll make you think that people will point and laugh when you fail or take a misstep. It’s not about people pointing and laughing, it’s about doing good work and sometimes that means falling on your face sometimes. So what? It’s the only way to move forward.
You are more powerful than what you allow yourself to believe. Don’t settle for small victories. I’m not knocking small victories, even the smallest victory needs to be celebrated. But I’m calling you to go out and wrangle yourself a HUGE victory. I don’t care if you’re a solo practioner and you have no money. The world is full of resources. Use your mind, get out of your shell and ask people to help you. People love to be asked, it makes them feel special. Yes, I know the money problem seems insurmountable. But it’s not. Same concept. Get out there, find people with money who might want to help you accomplish your goals. It may be private individuals, foundations or the government. Leave no stone unturned. Do what it takes and you WILL find the resources you need to accomplish whatever it is you want to do.
So the question is not whether you can get the job done, the question is whether the world can afford for you NOT to get the job done. The answer is NO. The world needs you! Put your self-imposed limitations aside and get to work.
Hello Taz,
About a month ago I pulled this article off of Kathleen Bartolomei’s facebook page. I printed it out that day and it’s been sitting on my desk since. The article has served as inspiration for me as I was working through the launch of my philanthropy programming here at the ASU Lodestar Center – an entrepreneurial venture fraught with risk and roadblocks, with a lot of rewards for our community if it goes well. Well, that’s what I believe.
Anyway, it was only this morning that I realized you authored this article. Ha! Funny eh?
Well, thank you for writing!
Hi Aaron, I’m so happy that this article served to inspire you to do the great work you’re doing. I think we all need a little inspiration specially when you’re down in the trenches dealing with the everyday challenges of any worthwhile project.