Don't Listen to the Naysayers!
by Startacus Admin
Make no mistake, starting a business is hard. There are going to be many setbacks, problems and hurdles to overcome. Like anything that is worth doing however, it is often done the least but will provide you with the greatest rewards.
As well as having an extreme passion for business, entrepreneurship and technology I have always been very active. Specifically I like lifting heavy weights, a lot. I believe fitness and working out is what prepared me for business. 
Alongside this I have always been a huge Arnie fan but for more than just all those great one liners. His '6 Rules for Success' are exactly that.
I was shown this speech by a friend sometime ago and it has been the founding principles upon which I have built my business along with other ventures I am involved in and have conducted my life.
Trust Yourself
You really have to think about who do you want to be? We are often told to consider what we want to be but a career title is of little use to you as an true entrepreneur. You will wear many hats throughout your journey even on a daily basis. Have faith in your decisions and stick by them.
Break the rules
This is the only way to be a true maverick. When I finished university all my friends were desperately applying for graduate schemes in what was already a tough climate. I told them I was going to set up a company that would pay me more than any graduate wage. You can imagine the looks I got right? The what do you know about running a business look. Well truth be told I didn't know anything about running a business but I sure do now. I know a lot.
Don't be afraid of failure
Not every idea you have is going to work out and bring in oodles of cash. It doesn't work like that. The first time I tried to bench press 100kg they had to lift it off me. However I worked on my diet, my training until I could lift it. Never let pride stop you from assessing and realising your current model isn't working. Change what you need to, even throw it away and start again if you have to. The important thing is that you don't give up.
Don't listen to the naysayers
This is my favourite and the point you will probably encounter most often. Everyone has an opinion and they are usually unfounded and incorrect. Every venture I have pursued people have come up with lists of reasons not to do it. Well, my digital agency is thriving and we are busier than ever which was founded just under a year ago. Another tech project of ours is gearing up for a sale in 6 months time. If you believe in what you are doing then do it.
Work your butt off
It certainly won't happen overnight but it will be worth every late night. You are going to have to work harder than you ever have in order to get your company off the ground. Out there someone is working hard, getting smarter and winning. Be that someone! Don't waste any time, as Arnie says “Sleep faster I would recommend.”
Giving back
The most rewarding. Help your friends, family and anyone you are able to. It feels great and you never know what else you might learn in the process.
Arnie 6 Rules
This is the first of hopefully many guest posts by entrepreneur Patrick Walsh. Patrick runs Resonate, handles tech for VeriSocial and a whole bunch of other cool stuff.
Patrick Walsh
Twitter: @PatGW
http://patgw.com
Join the Self Start society! If you like what you see here on Startacus and want to get involved yourself, why not become a member of our growing community by joining for free here!
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Startup funding is never easy, however here are a few of the options that can help you fund your startup without going broke in the process
Innovative startups are currently being sought by BMW Group Financial Services UK which has just launched the third instalment of its Innovation Lab
Starting a business can be a lot of hard work, so here's a few ways to avoid burnout and find a healthy work life balance.
The child health app on a mission to become the first nationwide digital redbook, just got a step closer to making their mission a reality...
The Cambridge-based startup that has created an empowering tool to drive the next wave of biological innovation
At one-day event Ideation NI Thon, students will get the chance to solve global and local sustainability, environmental, city and health problems.
NI startup ESTHER, a peer-2-peer giving platform allowing charitable donors to give money directly to people living in poverty, head to New York for a 4-day fact finding mission.
The lowdown on how an Australian startup generated global sales for their innovative product, "weighted blankets"...
At 82% the UK takes 4th place in the list of countries being most ready for automation and robotics, whilst 30% of UK population’s jobs are at risk of automation.
The innovative game, eQuoo that helps users build their emotional fitness and thereby help fight their mental illness
Published on: 29th January 2013
.png)
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Ideation NI Thon at NI Science Festival sets out to solve global issues 17th Jan 2020 At one-day event Ideation NI Thon, students will get the chance to solve global and local sustainability, environmental, city and health problems.
- NI startup ESTHER takes flight to New York 16th Jan 2020 NI startup ESTHER, a peer-2-peer giving platform allowing charitable donors to give money directly to people living in poverty, head to New York for a 4-day fact finding mission.
- 2019 stats show that the gender pay gap continues 14th Jan 2020 Recent research by Starling bank shows that in 2019, women earned up to £12,319 less per year than their male colleagues of the same age and within the same industry
- Digital DNA Awards 2020 nominations now open 13th Jan 2020 The Digital DNA Awards, held in partnership with MCS Group, celebrate the best tech talent, from companies of all sizes, excelling in the world of Digital and Tech and not just in NI...
