BUSINESS
FEARFUL OF STARTING A BUSINESS ?
Here ’ s how to beat the doubt
FOR EVERY BUSINESS OWNER WHO HAS MET THE MANY DEMANDS OF STARTING A BUSINESS , THERE ARE MANY MORE THAT DON ’ T EVER FINISH THE FIRST DRAFT OF A BUSINESS PLAN . IN THE POWERFUL WORDS OF AMERICAN ESSAYIST AND PHILOSOPHER , HENRY DAVID THOREAU : “ MOST MEN LEAD LIVES OF QUIET DESPERATION AND GO TO THE GRAVE WITH THE SONG STILL IN THEM .” THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE THAT TAKE THE PLUNGE AND THOSE THAT LIVE A LIFE ASKING THEMSELVES ‘ WHAT IF ?’ – FEAR . THE IDEA OF STARTING A NEW BUSINESS IS SCARY , LET ALONE ACTUALLY STARTING ONE – NO MATTER HOW MANY POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS YOU COMMIT TO , FEARS NATURALLY ARISE AS DO CHALLENGES EVERY STEP OF THE WAY . SO , WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BREAK DOWN THESE BARRIERS TO YOUR SUCCESS ? POLLY HUMPHRIS SHARES THE SECRETS OF NEW BUSINESS SUCCESS ...
FEARS TO OVERCOME Not knowing where to start
Ask most entrepreneurs how they started and it ’ s likely they had a lightbulb moment , followed by very little idea about how to first set their ideas in motion . A great starting point is to seek out someone who has achieved success in a similar business to the one that you ' re interested in starting for yourself . Find out about what drove the person to begin their business journey , about the structure of their existing business , and reach out to see if they can offer advice or information . Just knowing that success has grown from the hard work and dedication of people who once had no clue where to begin should uproot the seed of doubt in your mind .
No business experience
Some of the most successful business founders started their entrepreneurial journeys without any prior business experience ; Richard Branson and Walt Disney to name but two . Having a business background isn ’ t necessary to start a company , business skills can be acquired through colleagues and advisors , and learned over time . What is required is having a unique insight into the industry you want to go into , or a core skill and competence that makes you well qualified to start your venture . You ’ ll of course need a passion for the product or service , massive motivation , tenacity , perseverance and vision to turn your business idea into a reality . Have a clear vision on the kind of company you want to start , the role in the business you ’ d like to play and whether you need and want help to get the company off the ground – it might be a good idea to consider a cofounder with complementary skills .
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