Up or Down – it’s all perspective

March 1, 2010 at 5:47 pm · Filed under Professional Advice

So many of the start-ups and sole proprieters that I work with come to a junction where they are ready to:

  • stay on course with a little money coming in and believe they can continue to survive until something big happens;
  • throw everything in and fold the company;
  • or throw everything in and go for it.

I want to talk about the 2nd and 3rd point.

It all comes down to how you look at the future.  

It can be easy or tough.  Was talking with one of my favorite clients today and I need to put what she is going through and junction that she is at in some sort of perspective.

“You are halfway up a mountain. Looking back down the path you came up, looks so easy, so relaxing, so inviting. It would be so easy to discard everything that you have and run back down. Go back where you came from.

Or, you can look up the mountain. At the path ahead. At the hard trek that you still have to do. But, the view – the reward – the ultimate. Halfway there.  ”

It is a tough decision. Every individual, in every stage of life, goes through it.

Go to college? Go to this new job? Date this girl? Continue with a relationship? Stay married? Get married?

But, your own business is a much bigger mountain (or so we perceive it to be).

I am not here to tell you that it is a bigger mountain or not, but, I am here to say to you, keep it in perspective. You made it this far, you can continue; [of course, there is reality and logic that plays a part - if you have no money or a lawsuit against your product just occured - then, you have to do what's right].

Make sure that you step back, talk with a mentor, think. DO NOT only think. You must talk. It is your business.

If no mentor, then a friend. You are not looking for feedback, you are looking to lay out all the thoughts in your head on paper and on another individual. It will clear your mind to look through non-rosey glasses – do you go up? or down?

Good luck - I know, this one was a bit rambling, but, I want people to start looking at life correctly and not making rash decisions.

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