Without Passion

5 Reasons Why Great Passion Is Required To Succeed As A Business Owner and Entrepreneur

1. Without Passion.....one would not have the Courage,  Resolve, and Confidence to leave the 8 to 5 Traditional Workplace to Follow Their Dream and start their own Small Business when they are fully aware that, according to the SBA (Small Business Association) 4 out of every 5 new Small Businesses with fail withing 5 years.  The odds are against us.  Some risks are not worth taking.  Some risks though, after careful consideration, soul-searching, and careful planning, are worth taking...and can change the course of and improve our life if we insist on success and stay the course with fierce determination.  Life is Short.  Carpe Diem.  Dreaming without taking action gets us nowhere and only leaves us with regrets.
 
2. Without Passion.....one would not be willing to sacrifice their income and lifestyle at the beginning which is necessary when starting one's own Small Business.  One must be willing to sacrifice only that which can and should be sacrificed; and at the same time keep one's priorities - the most important things in life (Family and Friends) in their rightful place at the head of the table.
 
3. Without Passion.....one would not be able to successfully navigate and overcome the inevitable failures and mistakes in the beginning.  I have made mistakes.  I have failed.  I have gotten frustrated.  I have questioned myself.  But I will not quit.  I will learn from my mistakes and strive, consistently, and assuredly, to improve every single day.  Without doing so - failure would be inevitable.
 
4. Without Passion.....one would let the many Nay-Sayer's, negative forces, and non-believers have undue influence on our dreams, goals, and life-choices; and possibly even derail the mission and the commitment.  Sufficient Passion Only allows us to keep our eyes and out focus on the goals and objectives that we have set for ourselves and our businesses.  A lack of Passion makes us vulnerable.  Great Passion allows us to stand tall and strong; determined and resilient.
 
5. "Nothing Great In The World Has Ever Been Accomplished Without Passion"
-Hebbel
 
The Entrepreneurial Decision-Making Process
 
 
A ways back - a little over a year ago - when I was considering and pondering venturing out on my own and starting my own Small Consulting Business I had a long and extremely valuable with a very good friend of mine who was and is a highly successful Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner.  I have great respect for him and for all he has accomplished in the twenty-five years since he started his Business during our Senior Year in High School.
 
My friend was walking a fine line between trying to be supportive and enthusiastic while at the same time conveying to me to many risks, difficulties, challenges, and pitfalls of owning one's own Small Business.
 
He kept - intermittently - apologizing; he was concerned, rightfully, that I might not understand how difficult and risky starting my own business would be. 
 
I remember the conversation so well.  I listened intently to and deeply considered every thought, warning, and caveat my friend expressed.  I welcomed his ideas and every single "con" to starting one's own business that he shared.  He was not someone just being negative and non-supportive; he was being a good friend helping me to shed light on everything I needed to ponder and consider before I proceeded with my life change and starting my own business.
 
Each time he apologized, I said no need and please continue.  This exchange and the ideas that flowed went on for a long time.  The conversation was very important to me and valuable to me.  He helped me consider all aspects (the positive, the negative, the worst-case scenarios, the sacrifices that would be required) and all considerations that would help me, ultimately, make the best decision for me and my Family.
 
I made the decision, ultimately, and very carefully and cautiously, to proceed and start my own Small Consulting Business - Selling By Building.
 
I and Selling By Building are a work-in-progress.  I am staying on mission and am going to do all I can within my power to succeed.  To help as many Businesses and Individuals as I can.  A simple yet worthy mission.  At this early stage though I can share this fact: the experience itself, the people I have met, and the process so far, have improved the quality of my life and allowed me to focus solely on what I love to do and am passionate about.  What more could I ask for?  I heard on the radio just yesterday: "If You Can Make Your Vocation Your Vacation then you can lead a great, fulfilling, and rewarding life."    Powerful and So True.  We work a third of our lives.  Be better make that time count and meaningful.