My Last Lecture

So, you want to be an entrepreneur. If I could say only one thing to you, it would be this: you are a hero, so live like one. Thankfully, I have time to expound on that.

Being an entrepreneur is so much more than being your own boss and crossing your fingers that you'll be rich someday. Being an entrepreneur is more than one brilliant idea and enough luck to carry you to the finish line. Being an entrepreneur is about being brave enough to step out of the box and create something new that will do good for the world - maybe even change it. Being an entrepreneur is about being willing to sacrifice your comfort, your resources, and your time to pursue a passion that may or may not take you anywhere ... simply because you love the thrill. Being an entrepreneur is about having the desire and need to create something amazing.

Take a moment and ask yourself why you're here. Why do you want to be an entrepreneur? Why do you think you have what it takes? What are you willing to give up to see your dreams come true? When I started my journey, I had no idea what my reasons or intentions were. Being an entrepreneur sounded good, so I decided to give it a shot, but I had no deep understanding of what it meant and no commitment to the lifestyle it entails. I've since learned that this pursuit isn't for the weak, and it's definitely not for anyone with a weak will or lack of motivation. You have to have a reason to be here, or life and greener pastures will see you to the front door. I guarantee it.

If you're here for the sole purpose of making money, stop right there. You need to have pure intentions, or you will never find the fulfillment that all of us seek. Being a true entrepreneur, a true world-changer and a hero, requires the intent to gain resources for the sake of helping others. It requires the intent to create things that will benefit those around you. It requires the understanding that you're here to take a little more money from the big guys and give it to the little guys, because you know what it feels like to be a little guy. If you only have your sights set on being a big guy, with a lot of money and no desire to share, you won't help the world at all.

As far as your hero's journey goes, let me promise you that it will be difficult. This is not an easy path. You will have many days when you're discouraged beyond consolation and terrified out of your wits. You will have to make difficult decisions that test every resolve and value you've ever set for yourself. It will be vital for you to write a code to live by and to stick to it. It will be vital that you shoot for dreams in the stars and never let them out of your sight. You will need allies who can help hold you in place when you start to drift, and who will hold you up when you want to give up and fall. You will need mentors who have been where you are. You will need to let go of any preconceptions you had about time or money. But despite all of the difficulties and trials that this path will bring, it is absolutely worth it.

All of you are starters on this journey, and I plead with you to also be finishers. We need more finishers in this world. We need more entrepreneurs. We need more brave warriors. We need more heroes.

Choosing an Industry is Hard

This week, we learned about several entrepreneurs and their paths to success. It's interesting that none of them began their careers by starting their own business. First, they went to school, or worked for other people, or both. They gained experience in their respective fields, or at least gained enough knowledge to know what the needs of customers were, and only then did they dive in to the risky stuff. When I interviewed my mother a few weeks back, I was especially curious about how her traditional career benefited her in her entrepreneurial endeavors, and it was definitely significant.

This makes me think about what I'm doing now and what kind of career it's preparing me for. A lot of our learning this week was about choosing ventures that fit your passions and your life. I'm still hesitant about entrepreneurship because I don't have an idea or an industry to settle in, but all of the signs point towards an obvious answer: natural health. I grew up using natural remedies and learning about these things. My current job gives me a lot of exposure to natural things and the people who use them. I have an idea of what customers are like and what they need. I'm planning to learn more about reflexology and I feel like that aligns with my passions of natural health and working closely with people, being able to talk to them.

I look forward to learning more about myself and how to be brave enough to take the steps towards being a business owner. Even if I only focus on my writing for a while, I know that I'll be guided in the right direction. I want to help people, so as long as I keep my eyes open, I'm sure I'll see the best ways to do that.