“He who has a why can endure any how.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
Nearly every day — at soccer games, business meetings, cocktail receptions — people ask me whether they should take the plunge and pursue their business idea.
Or they’ve already decided to launch a startup, and want my advice on how to go about it.
In either case, the first questions out of my mouth are: Why? Why are you considering this? Why now? What are your reasons? What do you want to achieve?
Your basic purpose will (should) dictate how you build your business, and what kind of business you build. Your personal motives will shape your performance and determine your happiness. Furthermore, all reasons are not created equal. Some pack more motivational punch than others, and some have greater lasting power. Your desire to get away from an awful job or a bad boss, for example, might kickstart your entrepreneurial process, but that escapist urge won’t serve you well over the long haul. What will be your source of energy and focus after the thrill of your initial leap is gone?
It pays to honestly reflect on why you are sprinting down the startup path. Every motivational force has its own set benefits and tradeoffs. Here are nine common reasons for plunging down the startup path, along with considerations to keep in mind:
Continue reading
