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You know my low tolerance for bullshit. And my even lower tolerance for whining.
(and you also know to pluck me in the head when I do either of those things. Twice if I do both at the same time.)
So when someone comes to me with a list of “reasons” why they can’t start a tiny business of their own? I’m. Not. Having it.
In fact, I shoot down their big and little buts—that’s not a typo, btw—like so much skeet.
How I Shoot People in Their Buts
When someone says: But I don’t have enough time, I say:
Go read Dave Navarro’s More Time Now. Pages 8-12, specifically. But do read the whole thing. Twice.
When someone says: But I don’t have enough money, I say:
Scratch up some cash to buy Chris Guillebeau’s Working For Yourself Guide or scratch up a little more to participate in his $100 Business Forum.
And if they say: But I only have $20, I say:
You only need $8 for your own domain name, you can host your website for free and then attach your domain name for $10. That’s per year, but next year you’ll have no problem coming up with the $18. Or you can save $1.50 each month to be sure.
Or if they say: But I don’t have any cash at all, I say:
Skip the while domain name thing and just go with the free website.
When someone says: But I’m scared shitlesss, I say:
Go read Naomi’s What to Do When You’re Scared Shitless.
Also read Havi’s Blogging Therapy series.
When someone says: But I don’t have any good ideas, I say:
Go read Seth Godin’s take on Big Ideas, Fear of Bad Ideas, and why You Should Write an eBook.
Also read my Whattaya Whattaya Whattaya post.
When someone says: But I need inspiration, I say:
Read my Pep Talks.
Read Willie’s blog (and follow Willie on Twitter).
And read Kyle’s blog (and follow Kyle on Twitter).
And read Charlie’s blog (and follow Charlie on Twitter, too).
And also follow Desiree Adaway and Susan Cosmos and Philip Arnold for inspirational quotations.
When someone says: But I have a soul-sucking job from which there is no escape, I say:
Sure there is. Go read Pam Slim’s Escape from Cubicle Nation blog (especially the comments!) and her book and also follow her on Twitter.
When someone says: But I don’t have any equipment, I say
Does your local library have public computers with Internet access?
Or if you have a desk job, can you come in early, stay late, and/or lunch in to stealthily run your business from your office computer?
Can you beg or borrow a computer?
Can you beg or borrow time on a friend or family member’s computer?
When someone says: But I don’t have enough space, I say:
Can you work at a Panera, Borders, Barnes & Noble, or any other place with (or near) a free Wi-Fi Internet connection?
And if you want less noise, more privacy, or simply need to be at home, you can set up an office there. And yes, you have enough space. You can fit a workspace on a small shelf, or on an even smaller shelf, or in a cabinet that hangs on the wall (like I do).
When someone says: But I just don’t know, I say:
Along with all the other reads I’ve told you about, read the rest of my blog. Read Cath Duncan’s Agile Living. And read Marissa’s blog. And definitely read Mark Silver’s blog. And read Seth’s blog every day.
And if they have any more excuses?
I let them have them. Seriously.
Because at that point it’s clear they need their excuses more than they need my recommendations.
And that’s not because I’m out of resources or ideas (that almost never happens), but because I’m damned sure out of patience by then (which happens a bit more often ;-) ).
Et tu?
What excuses do you hear (or have!) for not starting a little business? What do you say in response?
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Photo credit: fotologic
