Over the weekend I had a quick flick through the first notebook I used to jot down ideas for blogging, a book and of course thoughts around purposeful business.
One fascinating thing for me was right from the word go, I was interested in the opposing theories around starting a business. What comes first, the product or the journey?
The first page had two sayings, (all kitted out with my original branding – a weasel would you believe):
“If you want to be your own boss, that’s not a good reason to leave. Maybe you are the next Mark Zuckerberg but being an entrepreneur isn’t a lifestyle choice. It’s the result of having an amazing idea. Do you have one?”
“Dream big. Start small. But most of all ….. start.”
Of course nothing is black and white, or mutually exclusive. Side-gigs, contracting, partnering with an existing business, the list of options goes on and on. Throw in risk comfort levels, financial backing, personal situation etc and the potential situations are limitless.
Personally I love opposing views – and those that know me will also be aware that I often take on a devil’s advocate stance, or argue for/against both sides of an argument (who says I like to argue?).
Reading those quotes again reminds me of two fundamental rules for business:
- There is no model or approach that works for everyone – listen and find the right answers for what you want to do, at that time and in your specific circumstances
- Question and debate everything – even with yourself.
The Optimistic Cynic 