There are a few things I routinely say to new entrepreneurs. The most frequent is:
You are not crazy, even though you may feel crazy.
I am not just trying to be nice; there are real reasons why making a big life change feels uncomfortable, awkward and crazy.
Read the reasons at my new post at the American Express Open Forum, right here.
So I read the series on Jon the Ballplayer with interest. I also read your book a few weeks ago. I’ve been ready to make the leap for months now. I have gone through the financial examination and am aware of my start-up costs. I have put in a lot of time and effort getting ready to kick things off, but my husband is unwilling to acknowledge that this is going to happen (even though we agreed upon a date six months ago). I actually did some of this work a few years ago but things fell apart at my day job and I was putting in 55-60 hours there for a while.
I think he can honestly picture nothing other than life as it is. We could actually afford to do without my income entirely – it would be tight but we could do it. I have committed to resuming at least a third of my income contribution within six months (even though I anticipate more). That is all I am asking. I am hitting a wall as to what his hangup is and even though we have a good relationship, I feel shutdown on this issue. The only thing I can think of is we have no kids (and at 45 it’s not going to happen) and maybe he sees a different life for me as being unfair to him. Any suggestions on how to get us unstuck?
[…] Slim, auteur van Escape from Cubicle Nation, schreef een artikel voor Open Forum waarin ze de 4 fases beschrijft bij het oprichten van een […]
Pam, I think you might like to check out a new blog called goodworkpeople. He writes mostly about people using social networking tools to advance socially responsible causes and businesses. His most recent post sounds like he’s channeling you. (I posted a similar note there about your blog.)
http://goodworkpeople.com/dont-wait-to-get-laid-off/comment-page-1/#comment-23
Full disclosure. He is my nephew. Still a great blog!
—
Thanks for sharing the link!
And I love the Uncle promotion. Your nephew is very lucky to have you by his side. 🙂
-Pam
Thanks for your insight on this life change! I am in the genesis of my adventure and I am looking for the “promised land.” I just bought your book and I can’t put it down. I am a “pilot” by nature, so I have to have a flight plan before I venture out. I will be reading your book and incorporating the nuggets of information that I believe will do me some good. Overall, I think it can be done, but I am more careful and calculating than most. I will keep you posted. Keep writing!
Thanks for this. It’s SO good to hear that I’m not the only one going through this & this post gives me hope that there’s still light at the end of the tunnel (even though I don’t feel like myself!)
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Punishment vs. Reinforcement =-.
Hi!
I’m new here. I got introduced to your site through Ramit’s blog.
Looking forward to more insightful posts ^^
.-= Pinoy Entrepreneur´s last blog ..Gian’s D’ Breakfast Club – Restaurant Business =-.
Pam, thanks for that very reassuring post. It’s good to have a map of the geography of entrepreneurship, complete with mantras for each state in the territory! 🙂
Hiro
.-= Hiro Boga´s last blog ..What happens to a gift you refuse to accept? =-.