Entrepreneurship & Expectations
Posted in Entrepreneurship on 04. Feb, 2010
I have been trying to wrap my head around this post for a while now. Every other night for the past two weeks I’ve sat down and tried to tackle it like any other post…outlining key points, considering conclusion paragraphs, and shaping potential titles, only to realize I am so overwhelmed that I usually just walk away. Frustrating to say the least.
The truth is a year and half into venturing into the world of entrepreneurship I find myself at a crossroads. I find myself tired quite often, and overwhelmed by the never ending to-do list. The excitement for the project at times feels more like a burden I am wearing…since it is literally impossible to shut off…impossible to qualify in the eyes of friends & family.
Being an entrepreneur has quickly made itself one of my defining characteristics—oftentimes not by my own accord. It works its way into your intros, into your bios, and before you know it your RSS is full of fellow entrepreneurial blogs, your lunch hour consists of Skype chats with other startup founders, and your weekends are spent wandering new sites, new tools, etc. You consume stories of trial and error like it’s the bible, you find yourself seeking out other entrepreneurs if only to exchange a glance of exhaustion laced with extreme ambition.
I have grown to realize that entrepreneurship is a double-edged sword of awesomeness and it comes with expectations you’ve never considered before.
I am in no way saying that being an entrepreneur brings with it this impossible struggle unmatched by other professions. I’m not writing this with a chip on my shoulder, but instead I am trying to wrap my head around what makes entrepreneurship such a journey of personal growth. I think it’s worth noting that when you embark on an adventure tied to your name, defined by your actions, born from your thoughts…it is easy to lose sight of reasonable expectations.
All of a sudden success is no longer defined by the simple words it once was, for example: winning, profitability, influencing, or helping. Instead an entrepreneur lives with a hodgepodge of expectations that seem to snowball on each other. We must build something, expand, create, innovate, share, influence, teach, produce, return a profit…not to mention all the while sustaining a lifestyle bred on obsessive creativity.
There are so many pieces to succeed at, so many supporters hoping to see you win, so many skeptics to prove wrong, and so many personal goals you have set since that first day you bought the domain for your soon to be baby. Before you know it, you are unable to justify shutting off your computer or spending time on anything other than the project at hand.
Time flies too. You lose all sense of reasonable time lines, and instead phrases like “as soon as possible” and “now or never” become your stopwatch. Statements like “get it done” and “make it happen” become mantras that you can’t escape…not that you really even want to.
Entrepreneurship brings a level of expectation I have never experienced, and one I am still struggling to wrap my head around. I normally try to conclude my posts with some pretty little point wrapped up in some fancy smancy red bow (yes I just made up the word smancy), but I’m not sure I really had one when I started this post.
Instead it seems enough to have admitted that although it is the best decision I have ever made, this journey of “being an entrepreneur” has certainly changed me. Whereas before I looked at launching your own venture as the defining characteristic to someone being an entrepreneur I have realized since, that it is a long road. The word has very little to do with the initial action and everything to do with how you handle the expectations that come with the lifestyle.
I have no idea where that leaves me now, but somehow just admitting how hard it is seems to help. Huh, who knew? Another lesson learned.
Great post!
I’ve found nothing can prepare you for a startup. It is unlike anything I have ever done. As you say it all consuming. It messes with your mind and body. So why we do it? For me is it’s about exciting new adventures where you push yourself to the limit and learn new tricks. Keep learning and pushing your own boundaries. Life is boring otherwise. And why have a boring life! You only have one of them
Every now and then I read a post that hits me like a ton of bricks, like someone is in my head reading my thoughts and typing them into Wordpress. And its the most gratifying experience I can think of lately. To read that others are experiencing the same things, and growing in the same awkward ways is what gives me hope at 1:30am!! Thanks!
Now back to work!
great post!!!
Joanna-
Reading your post is very intriguing to me. I set out in my adult life knowing I wanted to be an “entrepreneur.” or someone that lives by their own tenacity and achieve freedom on a level people only dream of. Truth be told, it is not that easy.
Your post definitely outlines the pressures and nearly-constant shoulder burden being an entrepreneur really holds. Timelines are expedited to the point of physical and mental breakpoints. Sleep always seems to get the “I’ll get to that eventually” treatment. And so many other fatiguing elements that test your life’s balance that only other true entrepreneurs can understand – which makes me completely get your difficulty with composing what turned out to be a good blog post.
With all that being said, the reward of it all thru the failures and advancement of successes and the breaking thru barriers that you never thought possible is truly something I and many other entrepreneurs feed on and live for. I would not change anything about that side of my life.
Keep fighting the good fight – great post
//g
I’ve been “on my own” for a little over a year and a half now as well. I never once expected I would be in this place, and then I was swamped with a sudden need to do so. It’s definitely not easy and I didn’t even start out in the right direction and have started a second company. A second try, if you will.
But it wasn’t until last night that I really realized exactly why I’m doing this. It’s exciting. It’s different. It’s unique. And it’s an adventure. I’m not going to change the world, but I am taking this risk because I feel I can make an impact that I would never be able to achieve working for somebody else. I need the freedom to be crazy and try new things. And if I fail … I reset and start again and it’s an entirely new adventure.
And I have to say – it’s been one hell of an awesome ride and it’s only just begun. I’m not entirely sure how this ties in with your post, other than it inspired me to write this.
Love you post!
I’m just a starting out as a first-time entrepreneur and I enjoy every single moment! I feel like I am learning, experiencing, and growing at the speed of light! Even though it’s really tough I think everybody should try to build something from scratch. Whether it is a company, a product, an event, or anything. There are so many things you can learn from starting something.
Everything that you’ve posted here, I can relate to. And, I think that any entrepreneur, whether they have just started, or have ten to twenty years of experience behind them will concur. Time flies when you’re having fun, and if what you’re doing isn’t fun, then you need to find something else! However, it is also a curse because you have to spend that much more effort focusing on accomplishing your goals by a certain dead-line.
In the end, you grow and become that much better of an entrepreneur. Even if your pace of growth doesn’t coincide with some of the big fish in the industry, growth and improvement are wonderful at any pace. Just keep moving forward and no one will be able to take the wind out of your sails… Amazing post!
It was rather refreshing to read this post. I face these challenges on a day to day basis. Exhaustion, teaching, creating, influences seem to have this allusive definition for when they’ve been done right… understanding when efforts are enough to meet and/or exceed client expectations is even more allusive (for me at least).
Compound all this with the fact that whatever we are looking at this moment is more important that what we were just looking at, its nothing short of amazing we’re ever able to accomplish anything to the satisfaction of the clients who allow us to afford living.
Excellent post. Thank you!
I can’t tell you how much this post hit home. Just the other night my wife and I had this very talk. As great as it is to have the freedom of workin here at home, sometimes there is envy for those we know who work 9-5 and come home with their mind clear.
My wife and I call them “normal”
Take care and thanks for the great read!
Peter
Love this post–I think it’s something that all entrepreneurs struggle with. Being on your own is definitely a double-edged sword, you can take three weeks off if you want, but there’s no one to keep things chugging while you’re gone. I’m not an entrepreneur, but my boyfriend is and he works harder than anyone I know–all day and often all night. Keep up these insightful posts!
What a timely message. We’ve been struggling with some of the same issues, and have felt some of the same freedoms of which you speak.
We can definitely relate to the “never ending to-do-list”.
We are currently at an important crossroads and it is going to take every bit of encouragement, motivation, and faith to continue this journey.
I am confident we will make it, but it is definitely nice to know there are others out there that are on the “long road” too.
Thanks.
Hey Joanna, nice post.
It really felt like you dug deep for that one. Much respect and best wishes to you for the future.
Alex
My dear friend, it’s an honor to know you. This is the second or third time you’ve written what I was thinking. I’ve been self employed for nearly 10 years. I only stopped to go back in house to do something that was bigger than myself and would help move my industry forward. I must say, corporate life wasn’t for me. But being a consultant, entrepreneur, teacher and occasional muse is.
Remember not to wear or spread yourself to thin. It takes it toll on all you. I’m right there with you – what do I want? Is this what I want – ohhh FUCK! I built this, now I’m obsessed with that.
Funny how you find your passion midstream something that you thought was your calling. Here if you need me.
Hi Joanna,
Great points. I agree that entrepreneurship is consuming, but I don’t really mind. Since I went into business doing what I love doing, I don’t really mind it consuming me because I enjoy (almost) every minute of it. It is good to set limits though like one day a week where you don’t do any work on your venture.
Hi Joanna,
Great points. I agree that entrepreneurship is consuming, but I don’t really mind. Since I went into business doing what I love doing, I don’t really mind it consuming me because I enjoy (almost) every minute of it. It is good to set limits though like one day a week where you don’t do any work on your venture.