Why You Should Become An Entrepreneur

You've had the moment.  I am sure of it.  That fleeting thought of a great idea.  Or that momentary dream of being your own boss.  And maybe, just maybe, you are having the moment right now.  I mean, why else would you be reading this.

If that's true, I have a job here and I need to move quickly.   You see, most people (maybe all people) have the entrepreneurial inspired moment but then quickly sink back into "reality."  They let "logic" set in and go back to the "safety" of a job.  I mean, what could be safer than working for someone else and letting them determine when you get promoted, if you should get promoted, or if you are even needed any more.

But there is something bigger at play.  It's the WHY.  Why are you doing what you are currently doing?  If you are working for someone else, the question is why?  Are you doing it because it brings happiness to your every day?  Or are you doing it for the money?

If you are like most of the world, you are working your butt off.  You are working to save as much money as possible, so that one day (often after that magic age of 65) you have enough money to retire and enjoy doing the things that makes you happy.  Well, I am here to tell you that is backwards.  Instead of working yourself to near death so that you can be happy one day, try this:  Get happy now!

And how do you get happy now?  You become your own boss and do what you have always wanted to do.  Always wanted to scuba dive year round, start an instructional school.  Love watching CSI and Bones?  Start your own personal investigation firm.  Love fashion?  Start a business to finally show people how not to dress like a Wal-Mart super shopper.

Here's the deal, chiefy.  I can't guarantee your success.  I don't know if you have what it takes.  And I can't even promise that you will want to be an entrepreneur for the rest of your life.  But, I can promise this... I have never seen someone's gut steer them wrong.  Maybe it won't bring you to riches, but if you follow your heart it will bring you to happiness.  And after all, aren't we just accumulating riches so that we can get to the happiness part?

By Mike Michalowicz, Author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur

Category: Managing Focus, The Right Actions
Tags: , , , .
  • http://www.heathero.com HeatherO

    Holy cow! You so nailed it! I am something of an “entrepreneurship evangelist” and try to empower people every day to “create their own life”! I bump into people constantly who when asked “what do you do” they reply “Uh, well right now I’m unemployed”. I usually respond “NO, you’re not!” Which thoroughly confuses them! I go on to explain that they may not have a job, but “Unemployed” is NOT what you do, what your skills are or who you are. It’s a state of being. Of the few who actually say that they are “thinking about” starting their own business or venture, most say it would be “until I get a job”. I find it sad…For the few who’s job is doing what they absolutely love, that’s awesome! But for most, it’s just that they have been intoxicated by a paycheck and having someone else tell them what to do everyday in return. They sell their life every day to the highest bidder (or not) thinking that “some day they’re gonna_____” I ditched my 15 yr career last year, and plugged my ears as well-meaning friends and family screamed that “this is the worst time…what do you mean you’re not happy? nobody’s happy at work, you do that when you go home!” Am I making lot’s of money? Nope (not yet:), but everywhere I go, people say “wow, you seem SO happy!” YEP! So instead of saying “when I have lots of money, I’m gonna…and then I’ll be happy”, recognize that today is yesterday’s tomorrow. Nothing in this world is worse than the regret of that which you failed do to, especially when it was based solely in fear! Find & surround yourself with others who have and are living their dream, and claim your own life!
    Thanks for the great post! :)

  • http://jscottalexander.com J. Scott Alexander

    WOW!!! These are some great thoughts. I try to inspire young and old every day to live their dreams. My whole life people have been telling me “You can’t do that” or ” you need to get a job and invest in your 401k and save enough money so you can retire”. I got a job and worked long hours and allowed the business owners to retire before they were 40.
    What do you need to do? Find your passion or what you love to do and create a business. This will make you happy, make you a lot of money and you will never have to worry about getting a job.

    Thank you for the great post,
    jscottalexander.com

  • http://www.80sartist.com Sam

    Mike, you are “THE MAN”!! This POWERFUL post goes directly to the point and I am surprised not to find more comments about it.

    It should be marked as a “MUST READ” for any visitors of this site. Let’s remember this great idea from Friedrich Nietzsche:
    **************
    “HE WHO HAS A WHY TO LIVE CAN BEAR ALMOST ANY HOW” ***************

  • Mike Michalowicz

    @Sam – Well thank you! Thank you very much!

    It is all in the WHY.

    - Mike