Starting a company is one of the most difficult things anyone can undertake. Having started several companies, I'd like to put forth what I've found to be the most difficult challenges.
Here's Part One:
I. Getting Started -- Everyone has ideas, dreams and visions about how the world could be a better place in both big and small ways -- a new product, a new service, a new way of doing things. But most ideas are not pursued for a number of reasons -- no time, no money, never done it before.
But mostly, I believe the reason they aren't pursued is that people are either "comfortable enough" with their status quo or they are not natural risk takers. The risk to reward ratio is too high for them to take action.
How many times have you had what you thought was a great idea, you ran it past a few friends who may loved it (or at least told you they did), but then you let it die -- only to stand on the sidelines, watching someone else who came up with a similar idea and made it a success? If you're like me, the answer is 'too many times'. Was it laziness? Lack of confidence? Fear? Or is life just fine the way it is?
Chances are that the other person who ran with the idea wasn't any brighter than you -- she just decided that the idea was too important, too powerful and too compelling to let it slide -- and she went for it with a 'no turning back' commitment and sense of purpose.
Being a successful entrepreneur, first and foremost, involves having a strong, inner core belief in your idea and a passionate, undying willingness to pursue it. If you have this, then it's a simple matter of taking the first step. That first step doesn't have to be 'quit my day job' -- in fact, I strongly recommend against that in the early stages. It could be a simple as writing down your idea and reviewing it with some friends. I'm amazed at how many people have what I consider to be very good ideas, but they've never even taken the time to write them down.
Are you serious enough to take this basic first step? If not, move on, get in your car, sit down dispassionately in your cubicle and read your e-mails.
In my experience, once you capture your somewhat vague notions and put them in writing, three things will happen:
One, your idea will become clearer and more well-defined;
Two, you will think of a lot of features, functions, markets, opportunities that you haven't before -- and you may throw some less than good aspects of your idea out the window; and
Three, you will have taken your first step -- and you'll start building inner momentum and confidence in your ability to turn your dream into a reality. You'll start to visualize many good people enjoying your product or service. That's the key.
But the simple tautology is this: The best way to get started is --(drum roll) Get Started.
It also means making a commitment. Your friends and family will call you crazy, or if they're polite, they'll laugh nervously or quickly change the subject. If they do engage, they may point to many reasons why this hasn't been done before or why it can't be done. Or they'll call it a great idea and hope that you shut up.
Treat all that as rocket fuel for your commitment -- and keep this quote firmly in mind and close at hand:
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, Providence moves too.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.”
Johann von Goethe
Does that seem fantastic to you? It isn't. I have experienced this myself, and I will tell you that most successful entrepreneurs will say the same thing -- maybe not in those words, but the essence of the message is the same.
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