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.

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

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Published on: 29th January 2013