My Wife Thinks I'm a Coward!

[Salama2017]

Hey man, on a smaller scale I had the exact same feeling. You really do need to start somewhere, like ASAP. Humans are momentum based and while pushing the ball down the hill may be ultra hard, it starts to roll with almost little to no effort down the line.

Start with something small. A business that costs $200 and just jump right in and learn as you go. Jump into a pond first, and then go into the deep ocean later.

Create an execution thread on here, it helps a ton to hold you to what you have to do.

Help someone a day.
Do 1 action that scares you today.

Do those above, and the rest will come in due time.

Thank you! I am trying to get into the courier industry and will be creating an execution thread soon.

 

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[Lee Wright]

I have a friend who has a courier business and wants me to be his partner. I have already gone on a ride-along with him and I liked it. He's willing to train me before I become his business partner and we'll be meeting again next week for another ride-along.
Working 2 jobs has been a challenge although not too much. I normally have time but my energy wears out too fast. I'm planning on quitting one of the jobs once I get into business.
I think things will be very different in 5 years. A lot of stuff will be automated for sure, maybe even the courier industry. However, my goal right now is to utilize my existing business connection (my friend) so that I can learn how business is done. Hopefully, I'll be in a different industry or among those who will be in the automation business.
I really appreciate your comment!

Business partnerships are fraught with danger. It is good to work with someone who already has something up & running to get experience but perhaps something like a joint venture might be better.

 

[Salama2017]

Why do you want to start a business? What would it do for you? What would you do for others?

The fear thing, especially the fear of failure... What would the failure look like to you? Could you survive it? Is that fear of failure stronger than the fear of starting?

To me operating a life from a point of fear is like playing a game not to lose. Playing only defense will win games but your defense has to score. At some point in time you need to play offense to win.

I wish you well.

I want to start a business because spend a lot of my time working too hard and too much at jobs that I don't even like. I am a hard worker and I plan to work even harder and longer but it has to be something that I have control over. For instance, in the courier industry, I often hear people complaining all the time about crappy delivery services. I work for a company that deals with deliveries and although they try, I see a lot of small areas of improvement. This is what got me interested in this industry. Having a friend in this business has also been a plus.
Sure, I could survive a failure in this business. The great thing about your questions is that my answers will probably be full of excuses.
I am going to take action and get into this business and as I mentioned in the previous comments, I will be posting an execution thread soon.
Thank you so much for the comment.

 

[Salama2017]

I agree with those who have said, "Just DO something."

Also, like @woken said, I think it would be helpful if you can identify the ACTUAL root cause of why you are stalling.

Is it really because you are a coward?

I doubt it.

I think you wrote this thread in the first place because you know that's not true. You know it's not that simple.

There IS something holding you back, you know that much. But what is it?

You might be able to get unstuck by using the following method:

1) Be introspective and think through all the deeper reasons why you haven't moved forward.
2) Since there may be more than one layer to this, make each reason your working hypothesis.
3) Commit to doing whatever action you can come up with to counteract that obstacle.

Example:
1) Make a list of all the reasons why you haven't moved forward.

• Is it fear of failure? Fear of success? Fear of how you will be viewed? Fear of financial ruin? If you are afraid, what are you afraid of specifically?
• Is it procrastination?
• Is it poor time management?
• Is it bad goal-setting skills?
• Is it that you know deep down that your business idea is not viable, so you're waiting until you have a solid idea?
• Is it apathy?
• Is it disorganization?
• Are you too comfortable?
• Do you distrust yourself and your ability to execute?
• Have you not identified an actual problem to solve?
• Is it perfectionism? Are you waiting until you have "perfect conditions" before you execute?
• Is it that you don't see yourself as "worthy"?
• Is some other aspect of your identity threatened by the shift to entrepreneurship?
• Are you waiting until you find a business idea that you're "passionate" about?

2) Create your working hypothesis of why you're stuck.

"I think that my biggest obstacle is that I'm just too comfortable and apathetic."

3) Create an action step to counteract your obstacle (and commit to acting)!

"Since I've been too comfortable, I'm going to start facing uncomfortable situations by taking cold showers and approaching strangers in public and asking for a favor. Once I get practice doing that daily for 7 days, I will escalate to fighting apathy by reaching out to 1 strategic connection per day who can help me in the business I'm starting."

Repeat steps 2 and 3 again and again as many times as needed.

For instance, let's say you've really gotten a handle on apathy. You've experienced a lot of personal growth in this area, and it's definitely not apathy that's holding you back anymore. But you're still not taking action.

Well, go on to the next most likely one.

Maybe you identify, "OK, I'm still waiting around for that business idea that I feel passionate enough about. So I'm going to turn that into action and counteract it by practicing doing mundane things that I'm not passionate about. For the first 7 days, I'm going to do the dishes every day for my wife. I'm also going to write a list of all the reasons why my business does NOT have to be in an area that I'm personally passionate about. For the 7 days after that, I'm going to pick an idea from the list of 100 Unsexy Business Ideas, and I'm going to knock on doors, offering my services for that thing with no prior preparation."


If you were to identify your main reason why you're not taking action, what would it be?

Wow!! Thank you so much for this advice and exercise on getting unstuck. I know I'm not a coward and that's why I am seeking advice because deep down, I know that I am a giant waiting to be unleashed. I think distrust in my ability to execute is a big problem. Also, perfectionism is a huge issue that often leads to overthinking and eventually, inaction.
I remember one time I wanted to launch a YouTube channel. I bought everything and even set up the studio. But when it came the day to launch, I kept thinking about what to improve. I didn't think the camera was too clear. I then blamed the lighting. When I started blaming the desktop computer, I stopped, boxed everything, and never looked back. The same goes for books. I always think that my answer will be in the next book - I'm always reading something. Sometimes I think I'm crazy and weird.

To answer your question, the main reason why I am not taking action is that I don't want to fail. The fear of not knowing what I am doing once I've started is what's keeping me from taking action.

 

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[Salama2017]

Business partnerships are fraught with danger. It is good to work with someone who already has something up & running to get experience but perhaps something like a joint venture might be better.

Why are business partnerships dangerous?

 

[Bekit]

Wow!! Thank you so much for this advice and exercise on getting unstuck. I know I'm not a coward and that's why I am seeking advice because deep down, I know that I am a giant waiting to be unleashed. I think distrust in my ability to execute is a big problem. Also, perfectionism is a huge issue that often leads to overthinking and eventually, inaction.
I remember one time I wanted to launch a YouTube channel. I bought everything and even set up the studio. But when it came the day to launch, I kept thinking about what to improve. I didn't think the camera was too clear. I then blamed the lighting. When I started blaming the desktop computer, I stopped, boxed everything, and never looked back. The same goes for books. I always think that my answer will be in the next book - I'm always reading something. Sometimes I think I'm crazy and weird.

To answer your question, the main reason why I am not taking action is that I don't want to fail. The fear of not knowing what I am doing once I've started is what's keeping me from taking action.

I thought so. Anyone who had the ability to get out of debt and save $30k definitely has inner strength.

So what specific action can you take in the next 7 days to combat the fear of failure and help that giant to be unleashed?

 

[Lee Wright]

I want to start a business because spend a lot of my time working too hard and too much at jobs that I don't even like. I am a hard worker and I plan to work even harder and longer but it has to be something that I have control over. For instance, in the courier industry, I often hear people complaining all the time about crappy delivery services. I work for a company that deals with deliveries and although they try, I see a lot of small areas of improvement. This is what got me interested in this industry. Having a friend in this business has also been a plus.
Sure, I could survive a failure in this business. The great thing about your questions is that my answers will probably be full of excuses.
I am going to take action and get into this business and as I mentioned in the previous comments, I will be posting an execution thread soon.
Thank you so much for the comment.

Seeing how things could be improved & wanting to improve them is a great sign of entrepreneurship but will you have that opportunity in a partnership? Will your friend be happy with you wanting to change things up?

 

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[Lee Wright]

Why are business partnerships dangerous?

The biggest problem is that they are prone to ending in disputes even when the partners were friends to start with. The second thing is the legal aspect. I'm not sure about your country but here in Australia legal partners are jointly & severally liable for the debts of the business & there's no limited liability unlike an LLC. You'd have to find out how your partnership is set up.

 

[maximusharrison]

I've been on this forum since 2017. I've learned a lot from MJ's books, the forum, and other recommended reads. Yet, I haven't started anything.

My life has been full of excuses. I was in a lot of debt. I promised myself to start a business once I clear debt. I wiped out all the debt and then promised myself to start a business once I have $20k in savings. My wife and I worked hard to save and now we have over $30k saved up.

I'm now running out of excuses. All I do is read but never take any action. I work 2 jobs and been saving a lot for retirement.

However, I still want to start a business. I'm thinking about becoming an independent courier but I'm worried I'll lose interest in that too.

I feel like a certified fakepreneur or action-faker. I have all the resources that I need. My wife now thinks I'm a coward. She works so hard and supports me 100%. I feel like I'm failing her.

How did you get over this fear of trying? I have millionaire friends who start different businesses every year. They don't like discussing business ideas with me because I never try anything. I haven't given up and this is why I'm seeking advice on how to get over this fear of trying and failing.

Thanks in advance!

Currently in a similar situation to you, Salama. These past few weeks, I've been overloading on info-tainment and "action faking" and it's driving me nuts. But recently, it started getting better when I got a group of pals to really start conceptualizing a business. We've already made concrete plans and are already assigning roles, resources, and a future launch date. I also recommend a social media or dopamine detox, so that your mind is clearer. Exercise too.

One thing that sucks about being an intellectual is that you know the odds of failure, so you have more fear. So get friends who are braver than you and will pull you into action, making you not want to be left behind. You don't want to be the useless one in the business do you?

As for your wife, she is so supportive and that's a testament to the strength of your relationship. I'm plenty sure that you can reassure her that things will be fine - as long as you hop to it! Hope this helped.

 

[Ismail941]

Get Some Small Wins whatever you want to do BECAUSE -> Small Wins = it will give you domapine receptors in your brain as motivation.
This is universal motivation and it works.

 

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[Mattie]

I've been on this forum since 2017. I've learned a lot from MJ's books, the forum, and other recommended reads. Yet, I haven't started anything.

My life has been full of excuses. I was in a lot of debt. I promised myself to start a business once I clear debt. I wiped out all the debt and then promised myself to start a business once I have $20k in savings. My wife and I worked hard to save and now we have over $30k saved up.

I'm now running out of excuses. All I do is read but never take any action. I work 2 jobs and been saving a lot for retirement.

However, I still want to start a business. I'm thinking about becoming an independent courier but I'm worried I'll lose interest in that too.

I feel like a certified fakepreneur or action-faker. I have all the resources that I need. My wife now thinks I'm a coward. She works so hard and supports me 100%. I feel like I'm failing her.

How did you get over this fear of trying? I have millionaire friends who start different businesses every year. They don't like discussing business ideas with me because I never try anything. I haven't given up and this is why I'm seeking advice on how to get over this fear of trying and failing.

Thanks in advance!

I think you could start passive income which is pretty much starting a project of some sort. If you wait to pay off your debt depending on how much debt, it's kind of contradictory. I might think differently, but if you're being taught the fast lane principles, you should be able to take a percentage of what you make every month and save it specifically towards your projects.

I can't speak with her, but there are some individuals who are quite slow as snails ever breaking there plans, restrictions, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and stuck in the idea things must happen a certain way and you have to have all your ducks in a row before you do anything and wait for life to happen. It annoys me with people, because you have wait for other people to take action.

I wouldn't say your a coward if you are doing something like I pointed out, but you do miss a lot of opportunities.

Check your belief systems if you have self-limiting beliefs about how life is meant to work out. I can tell you just because someone sells you a formula, secret sauce, it doesn't mean it works every time for everyone.

I will tell you the ducks are never in a row for everyone. The path is more of a huge scribble rather then a straight line on the journey of life for some individuals. Other's might possibly have a straight line. There are multiple variables in everyone's journey. I would just tell your wife to try out the process for herself and start her own journey and maybe she'll understand what actually happens.

A lot of women do this, they want the materialism and finances, but don't have a clue how you get there. I made that bad mistake 20 years ago, and regret the fights, because in the end there sitting there in a better position because they didn't follow the brick road, and I did.

You can be quite cautious, believe life is supposed to go the traditional way, and it doesn't for everyone. Tell your wife to snap out of it, because she'll be just as stupid as I was at the time if she doesn't get smarter.

And the hilarious part is right now, I'm standing in his shoes wanting to build a business. I have been doing the same process as you. Don't knock it till she does it herself. If she hasn't done it herself, then she doesn't have much "Real" contribution to your success.

 

[MattR82]

Check out some threads by Lex Deville, he has a lot of good threads showing small projects being started. The laser printing one is cool.

 

[Private Witt]

Why are business partnerships dangerous?

I work in a heavy partnership industry and I can say there is danger at every juncture with partnerships especially with friends. They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And most partnerships start with good intentions but when the business goes off the rails strange chit starts to happen.

Also is this really a business opportunity or are you just buying a job? If your investing money into a courier business you better know that business inside and out including the books as the amount of surprises lurking could be immense. If its a legit business maybe a good opportunity but if its not well established with a good reason to bring you aboard, Id be very careful.

 

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[Salama2017]

I work in a heavy partnership industry and I can say there is danger at every juncture with partnerships especially with friends. They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And most partnerships start with good intentions but when the business goes off the rails strange chit starts to happen.

Also is this really a business opportunity or are you just buying a job? If your investing money into a courier business you better know that business inside and out including the books as the amount of surprises lurking could be immense. If its a legit business maybe a good opportunity but if its not well established with a good reason to bring you aboard, Id be very careful.

Thank you for the advice. I would hate to mix business with friendship and then end up losing both.

 

[Salama2017]

Check out some threads by Lex Deville, he has a lot of good threads showing small projects being started. The laser printing one is cool.

Thanks. I am on it.

 

[Salama2017]

I think you could start passive income which is pretty much starting a project of some sort. If you wait to pay off your debt depending on how much debt, it's kind of contradictory. I might think differently, but if you're being taught the fast lane principles, you should be able to take a percentage of what you make every month and save it specifically towards your projects.

I can't speak with her, but there are some individuals who are quite slow as snails ever breaking there plans, restrictions, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and stuck in the idea things must happen a certain way and you have to have all your ducks in a row before you do anything and wait for life to happen. It annoys me with people, because you have wait for other people to take action.

I wouldn't say your a coward if you are doing something like I pointed out, but you do miss a lot of opportunities.

Check your belief systems if you have self-limiting beliefs about how life is meant to work out. I can tell you just because someone sells you a formula, secret sauce, it doesn't mean it works every time for everyone.

I will tell you the ducks are never in a row for everyone. The path is more of a huge scribble rather then a straight line on the journey of life for some individuals. Other's might possibly have a straight line. There are multiple variables in everyone's journey. I would just tell your wife to try out the process for herself and start her own journey and maybe she'll understand what actually happens.

A lot of women do this, they want the materialism and finances, but don't have a clue how you get there. I made that bad mistake 20 years ago, and regret the fights, because in the end there sitting there in a better position because they didn't follow the brick road, and I did.

You can be quite cautious, believe life is supposed to go the traditional way, and it doesn't for everyone. Tell your wife to snap out of it, because she'll be just as stupid as I was at the time if she doesn't get smarter.

And the hilarious part is right now, I'm standing in his shoes wanting to build a business. I have been doing the same process as you. Don't knock it till she does it herself. If she hasn't done it herself, then she doesn't have much "Real" contribution to your success.

The problem is my self-limiting beliefs and lack of trust/faith that my ideas will work out. When I told my wife that I wanted to start a business once our debts are cleared, she worked hard to help pay off the debt. I then told her that all I needed was to save $20k and I finally start. We both worked hard and saved the money. I then moved the goalpost to $30k and after we hit that goal, she got tired and asked me to jump in and start something. When I told her to give me time, she couldn't understand what else I was waiting for. That's when she saw me as a coward. I also felt like a coward and that's why I am here.
You're right about my self-limiting belief system. I trust cash in the bank than taking risks with it. I fear starting something and then losing both cash and the business. My wife is not into business but she's willing to support me. It would be really difficult for her to understand how the process works or how I feel about starting a business. However, she's willing to support me until we make it.
Thanks for your advice though.

Not sure if I understand you but to be clear, I have no debt and my wife supports me 100% as long as I'm trying my best to break into entrepreneurship. She works so har

 

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[Runum]

So, what has changed in the last 24 hours?

What will change in the next 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month?

You have been gifted a lot of good advice and you have graciously received it all.

If you do not do something now, all of this advice and the time to dispense it will have been wasted.

What more advice do you need to take some action and make some changes?

It is time to step out of the comfort zone of agreeing with everyone about your perceived shortcomings and do something about it.

The ball is in your court. I hope you succeed it taking risks and action.

 

[Lee Wright]

I work in a heavy partnership industry and I can say there is danger at every juncture with partnerships especially with friends. They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And most partnerships start with good intentions but when the business goes off the rails strange chit starts to happen.

This is some great advice. My suggestion is to work out some type of contractor deal. For example you get the jobs in & get a commission - that's what I do. Or alternately he gets the jobs & you pay him a commission. If you're doing the work then it should be more than just supplying labour or your no different from an employee. Alternately maybe you could have your own run to look after all the process.

Also is this really a business opportunity or are you just buying a job?

I couldn't imagine that happing in the courier industry.

 

[Mattie]

So, what has changed in the last 24 hours?

What will change in the next 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month?

You have been gifted a lot of good advice and you have graciously received it all.

If you do not do something now, all of this advice and the time to dispense it will have been wasted.

What more advice do you need to take some action and make some changes?

It is time to step out of the comfort zone of agreeing with everyone about your perceived shortcomings and do something about it.

The ball is in your court. I hope you succeed it taking risks and action.

Thanks. I am on it.

Do you think it perhaps may have to be with Performance Anxiety and getting frozen in fear about the outcome?

 

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[NewManRising]

You sound similar to me. Whenever I get the motivation or thought to start, I immediately throw out an excuse. I am actually aware of it and once you're aware you know that you're making excuses in order to avoid it. Dig a little deeper and ask yourself why are you avoiding it? For me, it's a fear of SUCCESS, more than a fear of failure. And I think this is attached to my mindset around my identity ( work needs to be done here). It's a held belief that I am not deserving, and therefore I shouldn't expect to do anything extraordinary or super successful.

The other reason for avoidance is worry/fear that what I start I won't commit to for the long term. See, most of my life I've tended to hop from one idea, situation, job, relationship, etc to the other. I am not really sure why I am this way. But It is a barrier that prevents me from being consistent with anything. I start to question myself about if I am doing something I actually like and if it is something that will "work out in the end", and so on. I tend to overthink things too and have to feel some sense of certainty.

I get a sense of these two problems from your post. You're going to have to think about the barriers stopping you and challenge them. It's been repeated numerous times on this forum that MINDSET is the most important thing. I do think you have the brains and skills to be successful, but you have some false/negative beliefs preventing you from achieving.

 

[jaypi]

I was in a similar boat as you, except i got fired from my job and had no fall back plan. I wanted to start a business since mid-March 2020, but i was too nervous to make that move (and that was the month my gf broke up with me). I opened up an LLC a few months ago, however, because nobody wants to hire me (jobless since Oct 2019) and people piss me off too much. That’s when I said enough is enough, time to take matters into my own hands.

I found out that, when it comes to taking action, for me, my negative sides (anger, depression) propels me to jump out of my comfort zone.

What made you take any sort of risks in life in the past?
Cheers to us in our new adventure

 

[Salama2017]

I thought so. Anyone who had the ability to get out of debt and save $30k definitely has inner strength.

So what specific action can you take in the next 7 days to combat the fear of failure and help that giant to be unleashed?

1st, I picked up Atomic Habits by James Clear after one of the fast laners on here recommended it. The book is a gamechanger! I'm almost halfway with that. I then reached to someone in the courier industry and he recommended that I register for an EIN with the IRS. That's done. Now I'm in the process of searching for independent courier/99 jobs that are available in my area. Once I find one, I'll rent a van before I spend money on a cargo van. My goal is to get started soon before I overthink the idea.

 

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[Salama2017]

I was in a similar boat as you, except i got fired from my job and had no fall back plan. I wanted to start a business since mid-March 2020, but i was too nervous to make that move (and that was the month my gf broke up with me). I opened up an LLC a few months ago, however, because nobody wants to hire me (jobless since Oct 2019) and people piss me off too much. That’s when I said enough is enough, time to take matters into my own hands.

I found out that, when it comes to taking action, for me, my negative sides (anger, depression) propels me to jump out of my comfort zone.

What made you take any sort of risks in life in the past?
Cheers to us in our new adventure

Congratulations on your venture! When I look into 10 years into the future, and I don't feel confident about where or who I want to be, I always take action. That's why I'm always saving money. I guess we can call it fear of the unknown. While this fear does have a positive side, it keeps me from taking meaningful action. I chicken out too much when I think a lot about my future.

 

[ZCP]

@Salama2017

think like an entrepreneur instead of whether you want to be an entrepreneur

CHALLENGE:
By this Friday at end of day (say 503p), turn $1 into $2

the rest of this is mental masturbation

 

[WJK]

I've been on this forum since 2017. I've learned a lot from MJ's books, the forum, and other recommended reads. Yet, I haven't started anything.

My life has been full of excuses. I was in a lot of debt. I promised myself to start a business once I clear debt. I wiped out all the debt and then promised myself to start a business once I have $20k in savings. My wife and I worked hard to save and now we have over $30k saved up.

I'm now running out of excuses. All I do is read but never take any action. I work 2 jobs and been saving a lot for retirement.

However, I still want to start a business. I'm thinking about becoming an independent courier but I'm worried I'll lose interest in that too.

I feel like a certified fakepreneur or action-faker. I have all the resources that I need. My wife now thinks I'm a coward. She works so hard and supports me 100%. I feel like I'm failing her.

How did you get over this fear of trying? I have millionaire friends who start different businesses every year. They don't like discussing business ideas with me because I never try anything. I haven't given up and this is why I'm seeking advice on how to get over this fear of trying and failing.

Thanks in advance!

So, you've paid off your bills and built yourself a comfortable emergency fund. Those are huge milestones. I think I hearing you say that you are very risk-averse. I totally understand that. Listen to your heart. I too don't like to take a lot of risks -- that's why most of my investments are in real estate -- my core business that I know inside and out.

Write yourself a "love letter". What do you like about yourself? What are your best skills? What makes you feel good about yourself? What types of businesses or opportunities catch your attention? Journal about your hopes, dreams, and feelings. What is the worst thing that could happen if you start a business? Can you live with that outcome? Do you soul searching before you start anything. Otherwise, you might shot yourself in the foot and cause it to fail...

 

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[LuckyPup]

I've been on this forum since 2017. I've learned a lot from MJ's books, the forum, and other recommended reads. Yet, I haven't started anything.

My life has been full of excuses. I was in a lot of debt. I promised myself to start a business once I clear debt. I wiped out all the debt and then promised myself to start a business once I have $20k in savings. My wife and I worked hard to save and now we have over $30k saved up.

I'm now running out of excuses. All I do is read but never take any action. I work 2 jobs and been saving a lot for retirement.

However, I still want to start a business. I'm thinking about becoming an independent courier but I'm worried I'll lose interest in that too.

I feel like a certified fakepreneur or action-faker. I have all the resources that I need. My wife now thinks I'm a coward. She works so hard and supports me 100%. I feel like I'm failing her.

How did you get over this fear of trying? I have millionaire friends who start different businesses every year. They don't like discussing business ideas with me because I never try anything. I haven't given up and this is why I'm seeking advice on how to get over this fear of trying and failing.

Thanks in advance!

I'm just spitballing here, as are others, but maybe one or more of the following things are preventing your from taking action:

Maybe your "why" isn't strong enough, at least not strong enough to overcome your fear, uncertainty and doubt.

Maybe you're too comfortable, and your "misery quotient" isn't high enough to make you overcome your inertia. After all, you are in a place where you've been able to pay off debt and save quite a bit of cash, you have a supportive wife and life is pretty good.

Maybe you're focused the results, rather than the path. You're focused on what you think entrepreneurship will bring you, rather than embracing the day-to-day process of being an actual entrepreneur.

Maybe you're focused on what you want, rather than what the world/market wants, or what problems need to be solved.

Take it from someone who's been where you are, for much longer than you have. Do something. Do anything. it doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't even have to be right, good or smart. But do anything and do it now, because every day you don't will entrench you even deeper in your current situation and current mindset.

If you remember nothing else, remember that the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

 

[Salama2017]

@Salama2017

think like an entrepreneur instead of whether you want to be an entrepreneur

CHALLENGE:
By this Friday at end of day (say 503p), turn $1 into $2

the rest of this is mental masturbation

Well said. Great challenge as well!

 

[Salama2017]

So, you've paid off your bills and built yourself a comfortable emergency fund. Those are huge milestones. I think I hearing you say that you are very risk-averse. I totally understand that. Listen to your heart. I too don't like to take a lot of risks -- that's why most of my investments are in real estate -- my core business that I know inside and out.

Write yourself a "love letter". What do you like about yourself? What are your best skills? What makes you feel good about yourself? What types of businesses or opportunities catch your attention? Journal about your hopes, dreams, and feelings. What is the worst thing that could happen if you start a business? Can you live with that outcome? Do you soul searching before you start anything. Otherwise, you might shot yourself in the foot and cause it to fail...

Thanks again for the great advice. I have been digging deep about what I want. I want a lot of things in life. I have figured out my problem which involves motion without action. I often think about what could go wrong too much than what could go right. My skills have boiled down to being good with people. My networking and communication skills are great. I think I would do really good in sales but before I even get there, I will have to do something. I've researched the courier industry enough and all I need to do is to take action before I overanalyze it.

 

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[Salama2017]

I'm just spitballing here, as are others, but maybe one or more of the following things are preventing your from taking action:

Maybe your "why" isn't strong enough, at least not strong enough to overcome your fear, uncertainty and doubt.

Maybe you're too comfortable, and your "misery quotient" isn't high enough to make you overcome your inertia. After all, you are in a place where you've been able to pay off debt and save quite a bit of cash, you have a supportive wife and life is pretty good.

Maybe you're focused the results, rather than the path. You're focused on what you think entrepreneurship will bring you, rather than embracing the day-to-day process of being an actual entrepreneur.

Maybe you're focused on what you want, rather than what the world/market wants, or what problems need to be solved.

Take it from someone who's been where you are, for much longer than you have. Do something. Do anything. it doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't even have to be right, good or smart. But do anything and do it now, because every day you don't will entrench you even deeper in your current situation and current mindset.

If you remember nothing else, remember that the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

Thank you for your kind words. I am taking action now because I've got nothing to lose. My why is strong. The marketplace could use my services. I just need to take that leap of faith. I work two jobs and I'll have to quit one in order to have time to focus on my business. It's not easy quitting a job to do something that is not guaranteed to work out. But I feel that quitting one of the jobs will push me to find means for more income. I know it sounds crazy but I can't continue to live life on the sidelines. I'll be creating an execution thread soon. Thanks again for your advice.

 

[BizyDad]

problem is my self-limiting beliefs and lack of trust/faith that my ideas will work out.

Might I suggest you change your goal?

When you say ideas will work out, what I hear you say is that your business will be the absolute best business you could possibly build.

Alternatively, that your business will grow and scale and be profitable and be fastlane.

I'm sure you want to prove these friends wrong for not talking things over with you. I'm sure you want to reward your wife's faith in you.

Those are heavy burdens to bear on your first foray into entrepreneurship.

Enter into your first business with a different goal. Set the bar lower. In this first venture, focus on becoming the best business owner you could be with the venture.

Focus on growing the skills that you do not have in order to run a business.

In time, you'll find out whether this business venture is the right one for you or not. But if it isn't, don't look at this as a failure. Even if you lose money, don't look at it as a failure, treat it as an education.

And if it does not work out, then attack the next one with equal vigor armed with more experience.

Some people fail seven times before they make it big. Very few actually hit success the first time out.

So change your mindset, and you might find it easier to move forward. Your goal is to learn by doing.