When to Quit December 13, 2009
Posted by Rio in : Motivation, Rio , add a commentWhen do you declare success?
That’s the hard part about projects that you created, they have self-imposed deadlines; and that makes it hard to know when to quit, when to declare success, and when to move on.
You can always convince yourself that you just need a little more time, a little better luck, to get things going.
You don’t want to be the next aspiring writer, business mogul, or whatever, only to find yourself in the same place 20 years down the line: Still just an aspiring writer, business mogul, or whatever, but not having anything to show for it.
People might tell you to “be realistic”, but this means comprising your ideals. So figure out a way to not have awkward conversation at christmas dinner parties when your family asks you why your chosen profession is still not making any money, and carry on. If you have an ability to learn and self correct, you’ll get there eventually. But if you find yourself not enjoying the journey, then it’s time to quit.
Who are these f*in people and why isn’t everyone an entrepreneur? October 10, 2009
Posted by Mike in : Entrepreneurship, Mike, People , add a commentEntrepreneurship is pain. Hard pain.
People snap. They dump it all, they go to Hollywood to discover themselves, they get a job, they become a bum or go to grad school.
It’s why no one does it, its why morons can become rich just cause they tried longer.
It’s why people are drawn to positions or titles of empowerment. CEO, Doctor, PHD. We feel they found the secret. We want to be close to it. Absorb it. Learn by it. More often than not its nothing but a well constructed veil of attitude, arrogance and false self entitlement.
I went to a Entrepreneur meeting, the purpose to bring investors and inventors together. 40 inventors. 1 investor.
The inventors all danced in front of the camera, the investor sat in the rear with arms crossed, look of old time wisdom across his face. The look of blue bloods judging a prize horse. All was needed was a pipe and a “pip pip bravo” coming out his mouth.
Turns out the investor was a retired businessman with a need for power but no means to attain it. He’d been around for years, so the organizers snapped him up to be their one investor. Even 40 inventors, dorky as they were, might not buy “This show will be seen by thousands of investors on the Internet!”.
And the drudgery of going to all this stuff. Meetings and consultants cramming business cards in your hand going “I got what you need! I can fix all your problems!”. Why not ask me if I need anything at all!.
The out of work consultants are the worse. I went to a chamber of commerce lunch meeting…my last. Sat at whats called “The round table”…just round tables that people sit at. Some speech by the president of the chamber on why were so much better than New York..blah blah blah.
When we did the “round table” speech and introduced ourselves, I said what I did and 9 cards flew at me.
I thought I was in some trick magic show where the goal was “who can slide the card the fastest and make it appear on top of the others before the others do”.
I’m like…uh…no…I can’t afford 2 lawyers, 3 business consultants, 1 accountant, and a weekend clown for children’s birthdays…pony included.
The reasons this happens is I supply a product. They support the product. Like vultures on carrion…Kaww…Kaww…moneeeyyyyyyy!!
My suggestion, lie. Say your a window washer…a bad one. Broke your arm once falling 2 feet up off a basement window. They will stare at you…blink…then look at the next guy and lick their lips.
This is one reason why people give up. It’s why they quit. No ones clean. Can’t tell who from what.
It’s easier to sit in a cube, sip a latte, tap on a key or two, look at the clock. Once or twice a day have your boss come over and shove a list at you saying. Do this, do that. You got what I need yet. You lie, perhaps have it ready, perhaps shit yourself. But then the bell rings and you go home. No meetings to attend. No pocket full of white hard little cards screaming “Do you remember me!! I was that guy with the suit, I was that girl in the hat with the pin”.
The world is filled with morons my friends. Two bit Presidents. Two bit PHD’s. Two bit Doctors. All passing themselves off as the truth, the real deal. They wear it well. They push it hard, yet might not appear pushy.
Seeing past them is no easy trick. So be wary. If your gonna work with these people, you have to gain a thick skin till you meet one of them who’s worth their weight.
Dark I know. But sometimes this game just feels dark.