I have to remind myself that I didn’t choose this path because I thought it would be easy.
I chose it because I knew it would be best.
Starting my own company has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. Not the technical details like registering the LLC or anything like that, but the sheer fact that every job I complete directly pays for bill x or bill y. The money I got from my family for my birthday is going to pay for the tags on my license plates this year. If I get sick, I’d better pray it’s a simple cold – because I don’t make enough to have health insurance. If I fail or somehow don’t generate enough contracts, those bills don’t get paid or I get evicted. And I have come close.
I had looked at entrepreneurs like, “Yeah right, big cheeseballs. Not for me.” I loved the big, frequent paychecks of a steady job. At least, at first I did.
I’ve always hated having to get up at 6 or 7 to get somewhere by 8 – like somehow the early morning promptness would make me more efficient.
I’ve always hated having to dress up to land a job – like the $300 I’d spent on a suit would somehow be indicative of the quality of my work.
I’ve always hated the hypocrisy of having a boss who knew less than I did about a project managing that project.
I’ve always hated rushing lunch, meeting up with someone I love, only to have to run after 15 minutes.
I’ve always hated being away from Leslie or Yoda or the people and things I care about – like sunshiny days and my family – all because “the cube” demanded 40 hours a week, 8 hours a day from 8 to 5.
It’s bullshit. I never want to do that again. It would be so easy to stop and say, “I really could do well at that job. I really could use that paycheck.” But I’ve gained so much since then – not monetary, to be sure, but I’ve gained time and perspective. I’d rather be so close to eviction that I can taste the cardboard box and alley doing something I love than go back to 40 hours a week of pure slave-driving drivel.
This Is A Pep-Talk
I chose it because I knew it would be best.
Starting my own company has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. Not the technical details like registering the LLC or anything like that, but the sheer fact that every job I complete directly pays for bill x or bill y. The money I got from my family for my birthday is going to pay for the tags on my license plates this year. If I get sick, I’d better pray it’s a simple cold – because I don’t make enough to have health insurance. If I fail or somehow don’t generate enough contracts, those bills don’t get paid or I get evicted. And I have come close.
I made choices to get here. I didn’t do this because I thought it would be easy.
I had looked at entrepreneurs like, “Yeah right, big cheeseballs. Not for me.” I loved the big, frequent paychecks of a steady job. At least, at first I did.
I’ve always hated having to get up at 6 or 7 to get somewhere by 8 – like somehow the early morning promptness would make me more efficient.
I’ve always hated having to dress up to land a job – like the $300 I’d spent on a suit would somehow be indicative of the quality of my work.
I’ve always hated the hypocrisy of having a boss who knew less than I did about a project managing that project.
I’ve always hated rushing lunch, meeting up with someone I love, only to have to run after 15 minutes.
I’ve always hated being away from Leslie or Yoda or the people and things I care about – like sunshiny days and my family – all because “the cube” demanded 40 hours a week, 8 hours a day from 8 to 5.
It’s bullshit. I never want to do that again. It would be so easy to stop and say, “I really could do well at that job. I really could use that paycheck.” But I’ve gained so much since then – not monetary, to be sure, but I’ve gained time and perspective. I’d rather be so close to eviction that I can taste the cardboard box and alley doing something I love than go back to 40 hours a week of pure slave-driving drivel.
So this is a pep-talk. I have to write it. It might seem melodramatic but it’s as real as it gets. And I know 71% of you are thinking the exact same thing.