What Being an Entrepreneur Has Taught Me

Being an entrepreneur has taught me a number of things. Not so much things like “why you should start a small business” — because if you are an entrepreneur, you’re going to do so anyway. And if you aren’t, then you already know that many people shouldn’t do so, or have no desire to anyway. Most importantly, being an entrepreneur has taught me about the value of pursuing your dreams.

When you pursue your dreams, you really live. Life is just that much more interesting. It may involve a whole lot of hard work, and it will probably involve failures along the way, but it is worth it.

You wake up excited to start the day. You wake up challenged. Sometimes, you wake up exhausted. But it is always worth it, even when you doubt yourself.

It’s taught me to keep going when things get tough. It’s taught me to ask for help from people who have gone before, and from those around me. It’s taught me to focus on the things I believe in, even if those things aren’t always what other people are interested in, and even if those things don’t match up with the “normal” way to do things. It’s taught me to persist, enjoy, and experiment.

Your dream doesn’t have to be being an entrepreneur. It can be traveling the world, retiring from the same job you have today, raising a family, or anything combination of things you like. Put the effort in, and persist, and you will eventually get there. Most importantly, you’ll enjoy the journey along the way.

5 comments

  • Becoming an entrepreneur takes passion and work, but it doesn’t matter! You are pursuing something you love to do or at least you should. If you love what you do, it is not work.

    • I think it depends on your definition of work. I love what I do, but I’m still wiped out at the end of the day from working hard…

  • Pursuing a passion makes me want to get up early everyday. (Especially if that passion is skiing – it’s the only time I want to get up early on a Saturday!)

    • I’m too much of a night person to ever actually *want* to get up early, but it can sure make me want to stay up late!

  • Good points and all very true. I love to get up at around 6am automatically everyday b/c I’m wondering what’s going on in the world!