Ever gaze off into the distance and envision yourself as a bustling business owner, entrepreneur of your own bakery or interior design company? The thing that often stops you from pursuing your dream, whether it’s to publish a book, open a gymnastics center, or  launch your own pet grooming service is fear. Fear of failure and not knowing how to dust yourself off and reinvent yourself to make a strong comeback. Banish those negative doubts and thoughts of disbelief that permeate the corners of your mind. Now is the time to go after your true calling. Still having second thoughts?  Seek inspiration below. And then I ask you: What are you waiting for, folks?

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Self Satisfaction

I can’t get no . . . satisfaction won’t be your theme song because you will. You will be satisfied with the fact that you were willing to take the plunge into uncertainty. You will have to give it your all. Nobody said it would be easy, but there is something about pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps that feels oh so good.

(New York Times) — Most of us have limited resources, like time, money, energy and skills. At the same time, we have needs, goals and dreams. All too often they exceed the limited resources we have, so balancing these two areas of our personal economy can be tricky. We also need to understand that over time both of these circles change.  Sometimes the resources we have will be greater and allow us to do more of the things we want. Other times our needs and wants will seem to dwarf the limited resources we have to throw at them.  But it’s not something that we decide once and then check off the list. It’s a challenge we have to revisit regularly. So here’s how to think about both of the circles.  First, we need to stop focusing on things outside our control. When we do that, we miss opportunities during both good times and bad (like now) to find our financial balance.  Don’t put off making important and necessary adjustments, because no one else will do it for you.

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(Black Enterprise) — During Oprah’s final show a few weeks ago she masterfully distilled and delivered 25 years of hard-earned wisdom in a few power-packed segments.  I attended a viewing party (at the Four Seasons where she lodges when she travels to Atlanta) to hear what she had to say.  As she talked throughout the hour, I blinked my eyes repeatedly to keep from becoming a hot pink puddle of tears in my cute little summer dress. I was misty-eyed for a few reasons–mostly because I was so inspired.  She shared many thoughts that were absolutely profound.  As an entrepreneur I believe she made one distinction in particular that needs to be clearly understood.  While discussing the fact that everyone has a purpose she said, “You have to make a living, I understand that.”  She went on to say, “Everybody has a calling.  Mine aligned with my profession, my job. Not everybody gets paid for it, but everybody is called,” she said.  Oprah had just offered a thought that challenges one of the most popular bits of entrepreneurial advice.  How many times have you heard, “If you follow your passion in business the money will follow?” It has been repeated so often that it is now thought to be a business truism; but I’m here to tell you that it is often misleading and in some cases flat out wrong.

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