With the explosion of content and publishing on the Internet, there is no shortage of advice for anyone – especially entrepreneurs! (See Surviving the Entrepreneur Content Apocalypse.) It often seems that entrepreneurs chase a “secret formula” that every entrepreneur can use to achieve success only if they had it. There is not. This notion is a myth.
Though helpful, much advice has a “Do This – Not That” quality to it. In other words it is prescriptive, often based upon the experience of a given entrepreneur. It promises that if you do “A” then “B” can/will/should happen. Advice like this illustrates linear thinking in a circular world.
I am of the view that entrepreneurship doesn’t work that way. We tend to overcomplicate things when we believe that there is any one way to do anything. In the real world there are few similar experiences. There are many varied conditions. There are many points of learning in the journey.
To achieve success, there is a lot of luck involved. Confidence is a factor. And much of entrepreneurship is common sense. In the “real world” when building and scaling businesses many conditions have to come into alignment in a complex Web of good decisions and luck.
Summed up, success in entrepreneurship is simple: Treat people right. Know your markets. Be honest with yourself. Be ready to deal with adversity. Be kind. Work hard. Work smart. Be smart. Be engaged. Be competent. Be willing to listen and learn. Use your common sense. Surround yourself with good people. Have confidence in your ability to “get it right.” Much like life – Right?
