Time to Actually Create Something

Both my twitter and blog bio's state that I am an "aspiring entrepreneur." Why?

I have genuine interest in entrepreneurship and everyday I read, watch and listen to content on the subject. Several family members and close friends are very successful entrepreneurs. I'll be studying and practicing entrepreneurship for the next four years in college and beyond. I've had the entrepreneurial/business mindset knowing how to make money since I was a child. BUT,

What do I have to show for it? Not much. Sure I could cite dozens of lessons learned from consumed entrepreneurial books and podcasts but that' just being book smart. And as we know from the Apprentice, book smarts are not the end all be all.

In the case of being a real entrepreneur my lacrosse teammates would be sure label with the team created word, "poosnani"; someone afraid to get hit, be the underdog or override their fear. What's the problem with being a "poosnani" of an entrepreneur at the young of age 18, fresh out of high school?

- There's never been a time in this world easier to start one's own business, online or physical. There's never been a time in this world easier to connect and network with successful individuals.
- I've got such little risk in failing its laughable. I'm set on college, have supportive family and am 18yrs old.
- Experiencing failure is not necessarily essential to longterm success but it is often times an enlightening and valuable experience. 
- Idea generation is so damn easy, execution is where the men (women, you know what I mean) separate themselves from the boys.
- If an entrepreneur has to take risks and override the fear inside them, I guess right now I'm an individual aspiring to be conquer fear. I want to be someone who does that stuff, not just one who "aspires" to do so.
- Although caddying and two other part time jobs (marketing, media production) are creating significant income and networking opportunities I want to be challenged; challenged to grow and learn. Right now with summer, lacrosse, golf upon me and college two months away, unfortunately I'm frankly content with my summer situation.

Do you know how the very successful Gary Vaynerchuk learns? BY DOING, hardly ever by reading or consuming content. By experiencing first hand what he needs to learn. That's what I should be doing. I should JFDI (Just F*ing Do It).

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010