The Truth About Entrepreneurship
You hear it all the time: how exciting it is to be an entrepreneur—being your own boss, setting your own hours, calling the final shots, etc. Yes, entrepreneurs have a lot of flexibility and authority in their positions, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy or “care-free” lifestyle. A lot goes on behind the scenes, with existing pressures that no one really talks about. Today, I’m going to share a few truths I have discovered about being an entrepreneur:
– There are no “off days.”
– There’s no road map.
– People are counting on you.
There Are No “Off Days”
One truth is that there are no days off for entrepreneurs. You may distract yourself with social gatherings or personal hobbies, but there will be moments when you can’t help but think about the next big move for your business. You can call this a “healthy addiction.” This will be especially evident for budding entrepreneurs, but as you progress in your career by building an A-team and growing your revenue, things may become easier, but they’ll never be easy.
You have to approach each day with the same passion that drove you to start your business. And honestly? That can feel impossible at times. It’s crucial for entrepreneurs to find something that can refocus them on why they started their business and why this work is their passion.
There’s Also No Road Map
In addition to having no days off, there’s no instruction manual. One of the worst feelings as an entrepreneur is not knowing what to do next. It is daunting to face a problem or decision and realize that you simply don’t know what to do.
Of course, you can consult with trusted advisers, peers, and coaches—but at the end of the day, the decision lies on your shoulders. Many mistakes are made by entrepreneurs, largely due to the absence of a road map for running your own business. You must create one. This is particularly true for those entrepreneurs trying to innovate in areas like healthcare, where the rules and road map are constantly evolving.
People Are Counting On You
I touched on this earlier, but I can’t stress this enough. When you start your own business and build a great team, they quickly begin to feel like family. That’s wonderful in many ways, but it can also be really difficult.
It can be tough to realize just how much these people you care about depend on you—for leadership, guidance, and career development. They are trusting you to steer the business in the right direction—and as the CEO, every decision matters.
As an entrepreneur, there will always be tough decisions—ones that impact people you care about: your family, your clients, and your employees. It’s a lot to bear, and it’s kept me up at night more than once.
These are just a few examples of the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur. Setting your own hours can definitely be nice once in a while, but those perks come with a whole lot of responsibility, pressure, and accountability. To me, that’s the true reality of being an entrepreneur.
