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Wishing vs. Willing
by Stacy Brice
Starting your own business isn't easy. It can be made easier, with great skills and additional training, but there's no quick, or simple way to a successful business — those that would tell you otherwise simply aren't being truthful.
One of the biggest things I've found that impact someone's ability to move forward quickly with a new business is that he/she understands the distinction between wishing and willing.
Let me tell you a story....
I wish I could play the piano. I'd love to be one of those people who walks into parties, sees a piano in the living room, sits down, and in short order, has a group around the piano listening to her play.
I often think that it would be great if there were a magic pill I could take… which would make it so that when I would wake up the next morning, I could play the piano magnificently!
Unfortunately, there is no such pill. And because I'm not "willing" to do whatever it takes... because I don't want to dedicate or commit myself to all the lessons and practice that would be necessary for me to actually play that way, I am stuck in what I call "wishing."
Things only happen for us when we are willing to do whatever has to be done to get to our goal.
How willing are you to do whatever it takes to have a successful business and be in complete control over your own life? Ask yourself the following 20 questions, and answer them all with a definitive "yes," or "no." "Maybe," or "yes, but..." don't count!
- Am I willing to risk what I have now to have even more?
- Am I willing to work very hard?
- Am I willing to be tenacious and not give up?
- Am I willing to make changes to my lifestyle?
- Am I willing to follow my heart, worrying more about what I know is best for me, than worrying what others might think?
- Am I willing to step out of my present comfort zone?
- Am I willing to follow a path where it's clear that success depends entirely on my own actions?
- Am I willing to invest my time and vast energy into something that may not reap all the rewards I want for several years?
- Am I willing to be successful?
- Am I willing to do things differently than maybe I've done them before?
- Am I willing to listen to the wisdom of those who are more successful than I?
- Am I willing to keep going, even if I get scared, or things get a bit difficult?
- Am I willing to do some hard thinking to find what it is that I really want for myself?
- Am I willing to say "no" to some people and opportunities I might usually have said "yes" to in order to have more time for the things that matter most to me?
- Am I willing to be bolder, sooner?
- Am I willing to do something that is my passion, but that my family may not, at first, understand?
- Am I willing to discover things I never knew I could do?
- Am I willing to find out the truth about myself and what I want most for my life?
- Am I willing to market my business?
- Am I willing to make personal sacrifices, and sometimes make very difficult choices in order to have the life of my dreams?
How many did you answer "yes" to? All of them, or the majority? Terrific! You're in a great place to make the commitment to being willing to take action!
If you have many "nos," you might want to reconsider starting your own business at this time. You're still doing a lot of wishing.
Having your own business is a huge commitment, and a majority of negative answers may mean that it's simply not the right time in your life for you to be taking this step.
Now, look at the ones you said "no" to. Saying "no" to them may simply mean that you're really not so interested in starting your own business now, and that you'll be far happier, actually, to be steadily employed by someone else.
But for those of you who had a bunch of "nos" yet *know* that you want to own your own business, what has to happen in your life for you to be able to say "yes" to most or all of them? Who would you have to be, and what kind of support would you need to get in order to make it across that gap?
Sometimes, working with a terrific career coach can help you find the best direction to go in.
If you think getting support would be helpful, we've created a list of terrific career coaches we're happy to refer you to. And if you have any questions, let us know — we're here to help!