Starting your own business: no time like the present

Calvin December 15th, 2008

Catching up with my feed-reader after three weeks of forced internet abstinence, I stumbled across a great post by Damien Mulley called simply “And?”. It’s an interesting piece that challenges the Irish tendency to focus on excuses when it comes to starting a business.

Its true… both here and in Britain we’re not short of great ideas… it’s just that we tend to litter the path ahead of us with self-created obstacles to hinder our progress. Instead of focussing on the benefits of pursuing a good idea with drive and conviction, we instead ponder the reasons NOT to do it. We keep churning out the excuses until we find one that resonates, and that’s the end of that.

I have to admit that I’m as guilty of this as the next man. I have so many things on the back-burner at this stage that I’m in danger of snuffing out the flame. A more adept procrastinator you’re never likely to meet. In fact I’m doing it now… working on this blog post instead of the website project I should be concentrating on.

While it is scary striking out into the unknown on your own, I absolutely agree with Damien’s assertion that there’s no better time to take the plunge. Yes times are challenging, but challenging times are laced with hidden opportunity. You just have to be creative and tap into it.

Look at it this way: if you can make a go of your idea during the hard times, imagine the confidence and success you’ll achieve as things start to pick up.

As Damien says in his post:

You can always go back to living in mediocrity, taking s**t from a boss who is flailing about in a bumbling along industry. You’ll have learned more practical stuff in one week working for yourself or in a small startup than you’ll ever learn in a lifetime in that pensionable job.

So go on, make 2009 the year you take the plunge; follow your dreams, and don’t forget, if you happen to be located in South West Ireland join SOHO Solo!