Is your reason why big enough to effectively operate a business while maintain a full time job?

Simple yet effective solutions to a complicated question.

There are many great blogs about the” how too”, in starting and working a business while having full time employment.  We are aware of the many general reason(s) why it’s a good idea. The aspect I would like to touch on is the mind set behind our personal reason why.

I recently attended a business workshop in DC and there were many useful tips and great incite on what the government representatives and contractors where looking for from business owners wanting to get into the contracting industry. The one constant theme emphasized was the fact that after the sequestration deadline, there were going to be more cuts.  Government as well as commercial entities were going to be affected.

 So what does this mean for us? It means more layoffs and more people cashing in 401 Ks to start businesses.

There is some advice for those individuals fortunate enough to survive sequestration and the cuts to follow, while maintaining a side business. The mindset needs to shift.

Why does the mindset need to shift? If our mindset does not shift, we will end up like many of our fellow co-workers and counterparts, unemployed, competing against thousands looking for work. 

The mindset also needs to change because in every great economic downturn, opportunities were created and wealth was generated. From the great depression of the 30’s to the rescission's of the 80’s and yes even today, there are many examples of how seizing the moment instead of running for shelter have changed the lives of thousands of business owners. If we are to carry on the great tradition of "game changers movers and shakers" we will need to focus on creating employment and not searching for employment. If everyone is looking for work and no one is creating jobs, sequestration will be the least of our worries. 

We need a mindset that speaks to innovation, creation and resolution. We need the entrepreneur mindset.

Entrepreneur -  a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually 

with considerable initiative and risk.

2. an employer of productive labor; contractor.

I was taught successful entrepreneurs had many things in common but, the one thing they all had in common was definiteness of purpose.

Definite - clearly defined or determined; not vague or general; fixed; precise; exact:

                   a definite quantity; definite directions.

 Purpose - the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

                    2. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.

                    3.determination; resoluteness.

A definiteness of purpose brings us to our personal reason why.

Why after working 40, 50 and in many cases 60 hours a week for an employer, would we subject ourselves to rigors of running a business? There are many reason why we would take on such a task. Each reason as unique as the individual claiming it.

Once we answer our personal reason why, then and only then can we begin to have a definiteness of  purpose. 

Our reason why, will be the spark or catalyst that cause us to want to make a decision. That decision will come about because we want a change. Change in opportunity, change in income, or change in lifestyle. 

After the reason why is determined, we need to test the reason. Test the reason?  Yes, test the reason.

The question to test our reason why, is as follows: 

"Is my reason why, bigger than my excuse why not".

While most reasons why, will cause us to make a decision very few reasons why, will drive us to action.

We all have reasons for eating healthy and exercising and many of us have decided to change our eating habits and start exercising but, over 85% of us have done nothing to change our diet or start exercising.(remember the new year’s resolution).

Will our reason why, pass the test?  Most of us go to work at our job because of need. After the work day on the job is done, a daily commitment to operate and run a successful business will have to take place.

There will be many legitimate reasons, distractions and excuses to just go home and not work on or in our business.  Is our reason why, strong enough to overcome those reasons, distractions and excuses not to work on or in our business? If the answer is no, then our reason why is not big enough.

Our reason has to turn the want to be an entrepreneur in to a need to be an entrepreneur. My mentor told me “when a want becomes a need that is when we will succeed. If our reason why does not cause us to need to run our business we will in effect have a hobby and thus treat it as such.

So what do we need to do again?

• Have the mindset an entrepreneur. 
• have definiteness of purpose. 
• Have a reason why 
• Test our reason why

Did I mention this happens in addition to working a job and living our lives. 

My reasons why are listed below:

• To leave legacy for my family
• To help others realize and reach their dreams.
• To have control, capitol and creativity (things my job did not give me).

So the Trillion dollar question is ?

Is your reason(s) why big enough? If so, what are they?