What they don’t tell you about becoming an entrepreneur.

It’s a Saturday night, its 4am I can’t sleep. Thoughts are buzzing through my head. A client messaged me at 1 in the morning and now my head is awash with thoughts for the future. I’m wired. It’s been over 2 weeks since my last day off, tomorrow morning I have to meet a client. But whilst I lay in bed. Mentally exhausted, all I can think about is, what can I do differently? what can I improve? How can I make things better?

Hi, my names Gary and I’m an entrepreneur.

When you start a business, you think about all the great things you are going to do. How you are going to change the world and become a success; but no one tells you about the ups, the downs, the heartbreak, the dedication required and the personal sacrifice it takes to reach the top.

Only a few years ago I slept easy, life was easy. I did what I wanted, when I wanted. I didn’t want for anything and the world was at my feet.

When you become an entrepreneur, no one tells you how difficult it is. You hear statistics that 8 out of 10 businesses fail in the first year. You say to yourself, “That won’t happen to me, my idea is different”. But even the best ideas require an unrivalled amount of dedication to fulfil their destiny.

Sacrifice and persistence becomes your daily breakfast and I don’t mean sacrificing the luxuries in your life, like holidays, I mean real life, day to day sacrifices. Can I afford to buy lunch? Can I afford to take transportation home? Can I afford to buy a drink when it isn’t a happy hour? Can I afford to buy socks?

Over the last 2 years I have become an excuse factory. My friends think I’m busy living the high life whilst I sit at home, lonely, saving money to pay the bills. Contemplating my next move. Strategizing how my business can improve.

When you start a business, people don’t tell you it’s lonely at the top. You are the engine within your business. The motivator. The person who absorbs all the pressure so those around you don’t have to.

It is a recurring personal hammering that never lets up. Stress can suffocate you, relationships are stretched, your body will age and you will miss out on so many opportunities. You will find yourself with your head in your hands full of despair too many times to count. But it isn’t always going to be like that.

As my persistence pays off and my dream becomes worthwhile, I look back at what I have achieved and amaze myself by my accomplishments. My resilience and dedication have surprised me. I have learnt the true meaning of perseverance and sacrifice.

The feeling of overwhelming pride in my accomplishments is my motivator, I want more. When I look at my colleagues, who have stayed with me through the tough times, shown relentless loyalty to my ambition, believed in the dream and worked so hard to make it a reality; it fills me with pride.

So, what can I tell you about becoming an entrepreneur… well, this isn’t an easy lifestyle choice. Things are not as rosy as they may appear. You will have to learn and adapt in ways you didn’t think were possible.

You need to have a great idea and genuinely believe in it, even when others doubt your ability. There is no room for uncertainty. Having a great idea is not the same as making it a realisation. You will need to make decisions and stick to them. You will need to learn new skills. You will need to constantly challenge yourself and learn. You will have to overcome obstacles and trust in yourself that the things you didn’t think you could do, will be things you can learn. You will need to be persistent and tenacious. Every morning you must take the bull by the horns and wrestle it to the ground before it destroys you.

Times will be hard, but you have to keep on pushing. Push yourself hard, learn to adapt, push others around you. Maintain your goals. Enjoy the ups when they come and never give up on yourself.

This isn’t the life for everyone, but if you believe in yourself, eventually; what you can achieve will be limitless.