Mohandas Gandhi created a list of seven traits that he believed to be spiritually detrimental to each and every one of us. Today, and for six articles thereafter, I am going to adapt these seven sins, applying them to the world of the entrepreneur.
The first of Gandhi’s seven deadly sins is “wealth without work.” This is viewed as a faulty way of thinking, believing that one can get something for nothing. How might this apply in the world of the solo or micro entrepreneur?
Indeed, what is the secret to virtually every successful business? You’ve seen the titles on books in your local bookstore or on library shelves. Perhaps you couldn’t sleep one night, and the half-hour infomercial proclaimed this loudly. Or, you even received a solicitous e-mail, flyer or similar communication from an information-seller.
What is the title, proclamation, or solicitation of which I speak? It is various individuals trying to tell you that they have a “secret” to a business that will make you more successful than your wildest dreams.
True, there are stories of the accidental entrepreneur, or the person who stumbled into the opportunity where she can work five hours a week and spend most of her time running to the bank to make deposits. There are also stories of people who cash the big lottery tickets. My view is that neither is the norm.
But, I will tell you the secret to entrepreneurial success. I know, I should be selling this in a book or program on late-night TV for a lot of money. This is the one idea that while it won’t guarantee your success, it will give you the best chance. Are you ready?
The secret to success in starting a new business is . . . Hard Work.
There are not too many real lazy man’s way to riches out there. If you ask virtually every small business owner what she had to do to make a go of her concern, the responses will be varied, but with a common theme. Keep plugging along. Simply do what you need to do. Put in the time. Make it your number one focus. Stay honed in on your goals and you can reach them.
You have the man who immigrated to the United States, started a submarine sandwich shop that’s open seven days a week from 6 AM to 10 PM, and he’s there virtually every hour of every day.
You have the contractor who specializes in kitchens and baths, and who walked through neighborhoods on foot rubber banding flyers to thousands of doors.
You have the real estate agent who attends every networking meeting she can find to make more contacts in the community in which she wants to establish herself.
You have the musician sending out hundreds of e-mails, recording demos, and pounding the pavement looking for gigs.
All of these newbie entrepreneurs are ramping up their businesses using old-fashioned sweat. It is the secret to most entrepreneurial success. You have to work hard. Sorry self-help books and informercials. There are rarely shortcuts.
Now, with all that said, does that mean success in the entrepreneurial life requires sacrificing any hope of work-life balance? Are we all expected to work every waking hour? The caveat to this principle is that you must never confuse busyness with productivity. Moreover, social scientists tell us that working excessive hours does not lead to productivity; in fact the result is typically the opposite.
The bottom line is that you rarely achieve success without hard work. And you rarely sustain success without a balanced lifestyle.