There are a lot of people out there who believe that they’re stuck where they are. They’ve settled into their career and think it can’t change. Their life is what it is now and the chances that they didn’t take that maybe they should have, they didn’t, and it’s too late.
Oh well, right? That’s just how things are.
I don’t think there’s an entrepreneur alive who will tell you that they didn’t think they’d blown their chance at success at some point or another. People who thought they would never achieve anything or that their dreams would never be realized. Even if your dream isn’t something as big as starting your own business or being an entrepreneur, maybe you think it’s too late for you to change careers or invest in real estate. Maybe you just think it’s too late to start again.
I’m here to tell you it’s not. As 2018 begins, I want to bring a few words of encouragement your way in regards to new starts and striking out on a new adventure.
6 Words on Second Starts and Entrepreneurship
1) You define your own success.
For many of us, we’re still holding onto others’ expectations for us where success is concerned. We seek their approval rather than our own definition of success, whether or not it lines up with theirs. When this happens, it can leave us feeling unfulfilled and unhappy. When you define your own success and chase after that standard, rather than seeking to please others, you know exactly who you are accountable to.
There are no expectations to meet but your own. That is freeing! You aren’t seeking to please anyone or chained by expectations that might not line up with your vision of yourself. Instead, your idea of success and what you know of yourself are in perfect sync.
2) Don’t let other people hold you back.
Sharing our hopes and dreams with the people around us, even people we trust, can be nerve-wracking. Why? Because we know that inevitably, someone, even well-meaning, will try to tell us why it isn’t possible or why it won’t work. Here’s the thing—it’s always good to listen to feedback. It’s good to hear constructive criticism, but you should stop listening when it’s meant to crush you and stop you from going for your dream. If you have the conviction to do what needs to be done, don’t let the naysayers stop you.
3) The only failure is lack of trying.
Failure is a funny thing. It hurts. It hurts a whole lot. Failure is also incredibly necessary to success. If we’re afraid to fail, we won’t risk trying. And from failure can come valuable lessons. It exposes new problems that we didn’t see before, solutions we might not have considered, and it challenges us to reach higher. The only time we truly fail is when we let the fear of failure stop us from trying in the first place.
4) Know your weaknesses and counterbalances.
Knowing your weaknesses as an entrepreneur or business owner isn’t just about being able to improve them and eliminate them. It’s about being able to find a counterbalance and hiring the right person who brings a strength on board to match your weakness. It’s valuable for everyone who is in the midst of changing careers or striking out on their own to take stock of themselves. They must really evaluate who they are and what they’re bringing to the table and what they can stand to improve.
5) Don’t underestimate your experience.
Much of the time, we romanticize the idea of a green entrepreneur. A young, bright-eyed go-getter. For those who may choose to pursue a dream later in life, it may feel as if you're doing something wrong—but don’t count yourself out! You have so much life and career experience with you that will prevent you from making the same mistakes a twenty-something in the same position would. Don’t underestimate your ability. Experience gives you a great advantage.
6) It’s never too late to be happy.
Lastly, remember this: it’s never too late to do something to make you happy. If the path you’re currently on is not bringing you joy, change paths. We only get one life. So we might as well live the best one that we can while we’re here! Do something that you love and something that you feel passionate about. That’s something you won’t regret.
Making a new start this year? Tell me about it in the comments!