Why You Shouldn’t Start Your Own Business

Kumar Gauraw

Almost everyone I have met wants to succeed in their own business. Everybody also wants to find that secret recipe to success in entrepreneurship. I remember those days sitting with friends almost every Friday and planning to start different business ventures.

Group of young people discussing about starting their own business in a casual setting

We used to have great discussions. What idea is going to work the best? What will be a good location? How to get the capital to invest? Who will be the target market and what reserves will we need to have available? I remember planning everything, distributing responsibilities among the group for further investigation and then Monday would come and ruin all our plans.

The cycle would recur every few weeks and none of us started any business for years.

Does this scenario sound familiar to you?

It is a good possibility that you have heard something along these lines recently: “I hate my job. I just want to start a business so I can get free”.  “You know, I’ll give this job 2 more years, and then I’ll go start my own company.”

Starting Your Business For The Wrong Reasons

Usually these statements come from wishful thinking. People who use these phrases, usually, have no clue what they are talking about.  These reasons for wanting to start a business are seriously the worst reasons to consider. If you start a business because you hate your job, pretty soon, you will hate your business too. Most probably your business will be doomed from the start.

The road to entrepreneurship is definitely not easier than getting a job. You better have a reason which is more mature than hating your job or wanting to own your own business for status.

If these are your reasons for thinking about starting your own business, you shouldn’t start your own business.

Do You Believe In Luck?

Many people I know believe that you need to be lucky to be successful. I am sure you know people with this kind of thinking in your life. At the same time they want to start their own business and become successful.

Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure.   ~Earl Wilson [tweet this]

 

If you believe that you need to be lucky to be successful, what makes you think that you will get lucky in your enterprise? Why do you think that you should invest your money, your efforts and your time just hoping that you will get lucky and succeed in your business?

It doesn’t make sense!

My recommendation to you is to save yourself from the headache and heartache. Go get a decent paying job. Entrepreneurship is not for you if you have this belief. To your surprise, people who have determination, dedication towards their dreams and discipline to work hard to make it happen, usually get lucky.

I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.   ~Samuel Goldwyn [tweet this]

Do You Believe There Is A Secret Recipe?

The number one secret to entrepreneurship that I found is, “There are no secrets to success and there are no shortcuts.”

If you are looking for that magic formula that will make you an overnight success, you do not know that you are setting yourself up for failure even before you begin. Do not start your own business.

Success in business needs an open mind which is willing to invest countless hours in learning, planning, and goal setting. Success in business needs a person who is willing to work hard and practices the discipline to follow proven methods. A person who will not give up when faced with disappointments or major challenges.

There are many people who want to work smart. Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of people who are willing to work very hard. That is the reason success is in a minority. If you are looking for secrets to succeed quickly, you are not going to make it.

But… You Can Succeed In Your Own Business

Having noted all the reasons for failure, I want to tell you that success in your own business is absolutely possible.  I know hundreds of people who have achieved tremendous success in their own businesses and I have learned from them.

To succeed, one needs to follow a system of success and stick with it through tough times, through thick and thin, come what may. Those who are determined to follow the system to the end and those who are not afraid of failure will come out winners in the end.

If your reason for starting your own business is emotional and you have a burning desire to make it happen, all you need to do is, find a system of success, get a mentor you can trust and commit yourself to follow the program with dedication. Success will come to you, if you stay the course.

Recommended Books For Aspiring Entrepreneurs

If you need to know how entrepreneurs think. If you are serious about starting your own business, you can't afford to miss these incredible books. These books helped me and millions of other people to develop entrepreneurial mindset and I highly encourage you to pay them your serious attention:

  1. Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!
  2. Rich Dad's CASHFLOW Quadrant: Rich Dad's Guide to Financial Freedom
  3. The Magic of Thinking Big
  4. 7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness: Power Ideas from America's Foremost Business Philosopher
  5. The Compound Effect

Over To You – Share Your Thoughts

What are some of the other reasons why most people don’t succeed in starting their business? What are some of the other things that stop you from succeeding in entrepreneurship?

Please add value by sharing your thoughts in the comments section. Thank you kindly!

 

Kumar Gauraw

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Kumar Gauraw is a Personal Branding & Social Media strategist helping entrepreneurs and skilled professionals achieve personal and professional success by developing leadership and leveraging the power of the Internet, Blogging and Social Media.

19 Awesome Thoughts So Far, Add Yours Now...

  1. Another misconception some people have is that people who succeed have some special talents. That isn’t true as well. If there is any talent that successful people have is the talent of determination, dedication and that they value their commitments and stay accountable.

  2. Andrew

    @Kumar: You are right. Many people think that successful people got lucky and they also want to start their business at the same time. It’s not even funny.

    • True words Andrew. You are right. That is one of the reasons why people fail even before they could begin.

  3. I love your headline, Kumar!
    Great article to reach “the other side” –

    • Thank you Rita. Appreciate the appreciation 🙂

  4. Charmant

    Dear Kumar,
    Thanks for sharing. I majored in Business Administration (undergraduate) and MA international Development.But your thoughts are always fresh and new.
    Regarding books,I will add, Born To Win: Find Your Success Code” by Zig Ziglar

    • Hello Charmant, Thank you for adding these two to the list. I will make them hyperlink so people could click to see those books as well.
      Regards,
      Kumar

  5. Ashish

    Very nice article. Completely agree.

    • I am glad you enjoyed this article, Ashish. Thanks!
       

  6. If you don’t have determination for what you started, then it’s impossible to win! I like the quote: “If I’ll fail, I’ll try again and again and again..”!

    • It is an amazing quote Aistis. Thanks for sharing.

  7. “You know, I’ll give this job 2 more years, and then I’ll go start my own company.” – This is what I’m thinking for last couple of years… 🙂 but not kicked off . The books list is awesome, look like I need to grab some of them for smooth start. 🙂
    I agree with Mr. Kumar believe in Luck and also remember “Work is worship” as this the key to success.
    Thanks,

  8. Good to have you back Ranjan ji. Glad to know you enjoyed the book list and the post.

  9. A wonderful piece of information with great punching to the point. I think this blog is very informative.
    I completely agree with you that LUCK doesn’t take you that long without attaching hard work to it!

  10. I do remember talking of such businesses to you out of my excitement but with a mere reason of getting rich. My vision for starting my venture was not clear. I just wanted to become rich over night. But now reading your posts, reading books and attending business seminars I have a clear picture of why I want my business. I basically want my TIME. I want to mind my own business.

    A great read. Thank you for sharing.

    Ankit

    • Great Ankit! You have come a long way and you are making great progress. Keep up your great work!

  11. Meher Chenoy

    Very informative blog Kumar. If success would come only by “Luck” then people would just lay back and wait for lady luck to change their lives. Nothing comes easy without effort. One has to put in 100% effort consistently and with blind faith that you will achieve your desires not in your time but in God’s time.

    • Absolutely Meher! Couldn’t agree with you more! Proud of you for your focus and intensity!
       

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