Stop romanticizing entrepreneurship

Stop Romanticizing Entrepreneurship as a Hero’s Journey

Are you an entrepreneur or do you know one?

This rant is for you.

Entrepreneurs’ lives are so freakin’ hard. It’s painful to watch, right?

You can’t comprehend how many decisions they have to make.

The sacrifices are horrendous.

They reside in a lonely maze where the path to the exit is littered with mines; corpses of those who tried and failed; and pitfalls strategically placed around dark corners.

They’re fighting off an army with both arms tied behind their back. Evil billion dollar entities spend their waking hours trying to steal their ideas and destroy their dream. Their poor bank account statement looks like a child’s drawing of the metaphorical cliff they are about to jump from. And let’s not forget that consumers don’t get it and won’t even give them a chance.

Pause for a second.

If you’re with me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. You may even have someone in mind.

I’ve been there. I’ve been the pitiful entrepreneur who’s clawing at the walls begging for help.

Let me share a secret — I wasn’t inspiring the listener to want help me.

They were actually counting the seconds until they could walk away or change the subject.

I looked like I was in over my head.

People, including me, aren’t inspired by pity.

They’re inspired by action, movement, and momentum. I’m learning to save the horror stories for my memoirs because, until I’m wildly successful, they don’t matter.

Rather than romanticizing the story and thinking I’m on some heroes journey, I’ve shifted my perspective.

I’ve accepted that I’m not special.

Life is hard for everyone.

If I didn’t start a venture, I’d be stressed at another one. I may feel undervalued, over-utilized, or distracted from my grand purpose.

If I do absolutely nothing, I’d be stressed by the lack of resources and my meek station in life.

Whatever you do — remember, you chose the path. It’s just another path — no better or worse than another.