The most common question that is asked on a daily basis when it comes to business is, "where do I start"? I had an interesting call this morning and that was a question that came up. Too many times we start:
- at the end,
- the middle, or
- somewhere before the beginning.
What I'm getting at is that we often do not start at the right place.
So what is the right place? The right place is with your "thinking" about work.
Many business teachers will tell you to start where your love is and where you are interested. This is a good idea if you were trying to enjoy your work. Sorry to tell you, but being business is not fun. Yes, it can have its moments, but don't fool yourself into thinking that that is what you're going to be in for as you start a business.
Work by its very nature is not enjoyable. I would start by separating what will make me money versus what I enjoy doing. What I enjoy doing may not make me money. That is hard to come to terms with, because too many times we have been told that if we do what we love the money will follow.
No. If you do what is valuable to the marketplace the money will follow.
You work and have a business so that you will have the time and resources to enjoy the time when you are not working. Once you understand this, you will start to make different decisions about what you were doing and how you doing it.
Work becomes enjoyable when it is set up to work without you. Then you have time freedom and resource freedom.
At the end of the day, we work to live. We don't live to work.
I just spoke to a potential student client who has an ebook that sells for less than 20 bucks. He had not taken the time to get the calculator out to investigate just how much traffic he's going to have to send to his website to make any amount of real money.
Within 30 minutes we were able to reposition that ebook so that he can make him thousands of dollars a month. And that is the power of clear thinking.
As I talk to more and more students, I find that there are many misconceptions they are walking around with it and don't even know it. Let me get started:
- You do what you love and the money will follow.
- Find something you enjoy to do and you'll never work a day in your life.
- All you have to do is…
- Just build a better mousetrap.
- All you need is a unique product.
- People will buy anything.
So what misunderstandings do you have about work and business?
Take Care & Hope To Hear From You…
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Good food for thought, David.
Two misunderstandings/realities I see from a marketing/PR perspective:
- one marketing channel, like advertising, covers it all/you need an integrated plan that puts you where your people are
- one press release is enough to get publicity/you need a strategic plan of action that covers panoramic public relations
Just subscribed to your newsletter and read your “9 Common Misconceptions About Conversion” report – full of great value.
Thanks for sharing your insights!
@wiredprworks on twitter
P.S. Like the odiogo.com interface.
Thanks Barbara.
Great distinctions for Marketing and PR. No need to be shortsighted. Strategic planning is key and very misunderstood.
Odiogo.com is great. Another cool service.
- David B.
I think I’m pretty clear on the nature and value of work, as well as the need to get things working as automatically as possible.
Other misconceptions? I have no idea. I’m sure I have them; I’ve got zero business experience. I’ll be reading future posts with great interest.
Hi Amy,
Not having business experience is better than having bad business experience. I have seen those with the “least” experience do the greatest things. Because the goals are simple.
More to come…
- David B.
Hi David. Nice website.
Check out this article about a common misconception about business and the Web entitled,
Web – Common Misconception #1: “Build a website; they will come…”
which is located at http://www.ibnetllc.com/WebMisconception-1/
Besides providing information about the ‘Build a website…’ misconception, it even contains information that tells folks how not to get kicked off of their ISP, Web host, and search engines because of another misconception. A good read for newbies and seasoned entrepreneurs.
I like the way you present your information as well as your candidness. I’m sure your audience is gaining a lot of knowledge from you. Keep up the good work!
ENJOY!
Thanks Taylor. Nice Article. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
- David B.