I have always wrestled with the idea of sharing content publicly and building a “personal brand”.
On paper, I look confused. Job hopping, switching industries, pursuing new interests. I was always the guy trying something new. Heck, I even leave experience off my LinkedIn to tell a better story publicly (I actually got my real estate license at one point, but that’s a story for another time).
I always thought I didn’t have anything interesting or unique to say. In my mind others had deeper experience, more success, and a more interesting point of view. The things I was working on as an entrepreneur were always doing well enough to support me, but wouldn’t make for viral content on Instagram.
- We traded in our expensive European cars to reduce overhead.
- We stopped taking lavish vacations and started spending more time at home.
- We stopped eating out and started meal prepping.
The highlight reel you see from many successful entrepreneurs on Instagram is true. They fly private, drive beautiful cars, and have houses across the world.
That isn’t my story.
My story is about what being an entrepreneur has taught me about money, ambition, and what success is actually about. To quote my good friend Barrett Brooks, it’s about the inner work of outward success. Unlearning the insecurities, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome that often show up in most entrepreneurs.
My story is not complete, and my goal is to document my journey as an entrepreneur so others can learn from my mistakes. It’s easier said than done, but it’s a challenge worth pursuing.
Here are just a few things I have learned so far as an entrepreneur still trying to figure it out.
- Money is often cited as the primary reason for not starting a business, when really self-doubt is what keeps most people from starting.
- Time freedom is the most underrated benefit of working for yourself. Don’t throw it away.
- The more you focus on money, the further away it becomes.
- “Right place, right time” is more often the reason for someone’s success when compared to total work output or “grinding.”
- Having your life in order (mental health, physical health, relationships, spirituality) is an incredibly strong leading indicator for business success.
- Debt is not inherently bad, but it erodes your freedom.
In the coming months I plan to tell the personal stories behind these lessons with the goal of helping others make the transition to entrepreneurship and operating from a place of joy and freedom rather than self-doubt and scarcity. I’m no guru with all the answers and I still fight insecurity and self-doubt.
What I do know is that the journey is worth being traveled, if not simply as a form of self-discovery and what we learn about ourselves along the way.