Posted by Michael

“You’re now in the game where only time can tell, survive in droughts - I wish you well. Survive in droughts? I wish you well? How sick am I? I wish you health, I wish you wheels, I wish you wealth - I wish you insight so you can see for yourself…” - Sean ‘Jay-Z’ Carter on American Dreamin’

This morning I ran into one of my fathers friends, Maurice. Pops has been in the construction biz since coming to San Diego 30+ years ago, and as far back as I can remember him having friends; Maurice was there. I’m fuzzy on the details, but I’m pretty sure they met on a job site and ended up partnering on some projects after that.

When I was growing up the Maurice I knew had some rough edges. Despite my fathers positive influence in his life, his future seemed bleak. Today though, he was a different man. We spoke and I learned that he had started his own business, and was in charge of a number of construction projects. Conversly, I’ve recently watched my father struggle to stay employed in an economy that’s quickly approaching a recession. I wondered how many more options he would have; had he started his business.

I don’t remember ever being hungry as a child, or going without - that’s in no small part due to his willingness to hustle up work in the feast or famine world of construction. He’s got the drive, he’s got the savvy - so why isn’t he a contractor? I’m sure Maurice finds todays economy challenging. But one things for sure, he has more options. Why didn’t my father start his business? I believe one of two possible answers come into play, and may be the same reasons you’re not a business owner.

1. Fear

That word, fear, is all bolded and italicized and in a funky sort of greenish color. Also, its one of the most motivating forces I’ve ever known. Personally, I find fear mobilizing eg: I fear not being able to buy the new Camaro, cash afford college for my kids, so I get off my ass and generate income. Fear makes me move, but for others fear has the opposite effect, forcing them to stand still, “go with what they know” and never… ever… move.

Fear is real, and every one has it. People who tout fearlessness as one of their traits are liars or mentally ill, or both (probably both). In business, fear usually has something to do with failure. Failure is a hard pill to swallow all by its self, but in business failure usually brings along its buddys “ohshitimbroke” and “nowigottagoworkfortheman”.

Heres the thing: Aside from drowning it away in the sweet embrace of Grey Goose, theres no way to get rid of fear. The first thing to do is acknowledge it.

I fear moving far away from my family, and something happens… and I can’t get back to be with them*.

I fear Michael Jr. won’t think much of me.

I fear Kairyn and Keilani won’t either.

I fear what people said about me when I was a teen is true, and I really won’t amount to anything.

I fear that in the twilight of my life, I will look back and have regret.

I fear trying to measure up to the marks my grandfather, father, and uncles have left is impossible.

I fear… I will fail.

Reading my list of fears over and again leads me to one conclusion: I fear failure more then anything. Every fear on my list involves me failing in one way or another, and I imagine that most people fears boil down to the same. Nobody wants to fall flat on their face. Recognizing our fears allows us to better approach life, and business. Figure out what your fears really are, acknowledge them, then do what you do.

2. It Ain’t for Everybody. It Doesn’t Have to Be.

Looking at my father, you wouldn’t think hes hurting for money. Thats probably because hes not. Owning your own business is not a prerequisite to success, its a path. You know what else? He’s mad crazy happy. He loves his trade, and has a reputation in the city as being one of the best. Also, recently he scored like a 1500 rating over at Yahoo Chess. Apparently thats a big deal, and it makes him happy. He found his niche, found a decent level of success and hes content.

Are you happy doing what you’re doing? Good. Don’t worry about being something other then what makes you happy.

If you’re not happy doing what you’re doing, pursuit what will make you happy. That might be opening your own business, it might not - either way don’t let fear immobilize you. Embrace it, and to your thing. Now go… go do your thing.

Wait, before you go take over the world - can you subscribe, please?

*That sh*t happened man, I cried a hundred nights.