I used to work with businesses large and small. Making payroll is murder for these guys, especially small businesses. And taxes and ads, and val pack coupons and the rest.

For info-preneurs, we’ve got it easy with little overhead and just our wits to live by - and our test results. And our grab it by the throat til it gives outlook on being persistent.

I deal with it with stock traders all the time. Most are addicted to the thrill, like gambling. They don’t really expect to win. They hope, but are self defeating.

Many entrepreneurs, the same way. I went to pick up greek food from my favorite small restaurant here. Told the owner he needs to put a daily special up, have limited-time offers on his store’s food specials (I used to help small businesses crank up their sales as a consultant, worldwide). He tells me he doesn’t want ‘too much business’ because he doesn’t have enough chairs in the place. Idiot.

Many people just don’t want success. The fact that they’re clueless as to how to reach it, doesn’t help much either.

Like Kennedy said, he learned after years, most don’t want to be taught how to fish, “just give em the fish” is what they really want.

So the good news is, for those who want to take the risk and make it work, we have unlimited wealth and fame at our fingertips.

The bad news is, it’s hard to relate to the legion of ordinary “marge and homers” out there, to whom success is not in their self-monologue.

ken

You think a lot of people have actually taken the “what the hell” pills…?

Maybe… the lure of wealth and fame pull hard to suck in some of the audience and fence sitters into the mosh pit, but once they are there… I have the impression it is more like “what the hell have I done?!?”

I’ve been an entrepreneur practically my whole life… is it scary? At times, hell yes! Especially when you become responsible for feeding more defenseless mouths than just your own. That’s part of the game. Being scared isn’t an issue - it’s a given.

It’s all about how you react to the fear. It’s about what is really motivating you, because if people are becoming entrepreneurs to have an easier life - forget it!

The easier life might come, but only AFTER the battle is fought, and it can get fierce.

Red pill or blue pill dude?

I think perhaps the number one requisite for an entrepreneur is the ability to never freeze, to thrive on improvisation, to embrace the unknown, the unpredictable, and ride it…

Big wave is coming? Then paddle like a mad man towards it before it breaks all over you, and either catch the sucker, or go over it.

Freeze and you’re going to get pounded, spun, and tumbled…

I have several friends who make luke warm attempts at being entrepreneurs, and they are neither on the beach, nor beyond the breaks - they keep getting the Whirlpool treatment in the white water.

They don’t seem to get it… that work doesn’t come on its own, like when they sat in the cubicle, or waited for the factory conveyor belt to keep bringing it their way…

I’ve given them the Keys to get work, and they drop them… I have even gone out of my way to give them work leads, and they don’t follow up (because they don’t want to “be pushy”)

I may be wrong John, but I think people either have it in their system or they don’t - think of everyone you know who is a solid entrepreneur, didn’t these qualities show up early in life?

I have a young friend who just turned 25, he’s uneducated - but the guy is going to be a huge success - he’s a natural born entrepreneur - he NEVER freezes, is very street-saavy, and has the courage of a lion.

The shallow end, as you suggest, is a good, intelligent way to find out if an individual will thrive, and it is getting crowded right now, but the deep end has its natural limits, and will never stop being scary - fear is the gatekeeper.

Maybe this is why my favorite saying is:

“Be more dangerous than danger itself”.

It’s my personal passcard that saves me from what really terrifies me (much more than the unknown)… being confined under The Man.

All the best,

Tim

I just blogged (about copywriting among other things) “What the he**, it’s my birthday.” This was before reading your blog, which I have listed in my lists on my blog.

You are good….. scary … but good.

Is that info people have to pay you for or could you explain that more?