Cultivated Inc. |Why People are Afraid to StartUp

Today there are many creative and highly motivated people dreaming up the next big thing or thinking of ways to take an already existent idea and make it even better. So what holds these entrepreneurial minds back from bringing their ideas to life? Who wouldn’t want a career built around their passions and with complete autonomy? It’s not necessarily that they don’t want these things, but that 99% of them are afraid of what it takes to get there.

There’s overwhelming pressure on society to follow a proven path. We are taught at a young age to avoid uncertainty, but playing it safe feels like the easy way out for all of the talented individuals harnessing such great ambition. Don’t get me wrong, starting a business isn’t for everyone. Some people lack the motivation or have circumstances that just don’t allow for the attention a startup demands. But for those who aspire to build something to call their own, what is restraining them from doing so?

I think the biggest hurdle for people is FEAR. There are many fears that creep into our minds when we think about pursuing something where the outcome is completely unknown. More often than not, these are simply excuses disguised as fears with the most common being not having enough time or money. But the essence of entrepreneurship is achieving more with less – less time, less money, less resources, less everything. So the only real problem with not having time or money, is failing to step up to the challenge.

Maybe time and money aren’t an issue for all, but others fear they lack valuable connections. These types are just afraid to get their hands dirty. If you get out there with a good reason to connect and are prepared to give before you receive, you’d be surprised who listens. The idea of launching before it’s perfect also causes trepidation. That’s just an apprehension of what kind of feedback will come. Yes it can be scary, but it’s also exciting. Every entrepreneur is scared at first, but the ones who progress use their fears as fuel to do whatever it takes to succeed. But perhaps the most frightening of them all is the embarrassment that can come from failing. People will criticize, but those are the same people who would never dare to try something themselves. A much larger group of people will respect you for taking a shot.

I’ll admit I’ve had fears of my own, but it wasn’t until I fully accepted this path that they began to fade. The early stages can be uncomfortable at times and people are going to say negative things, but remaining vulnerable and true to oneself will pay off in the end. When people go in with doubts and have a plan B, it’s likely they’re not ready to take the leap.

My name is Alec Fetterer, founder of a recent startup (Transform Tutoring). I blog to share the knowledge I’m accumulating throughout the start-up process. If you like what you see add me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @AlecFetterer, or connect with me via LinkedIn. For more about what I do, check out my website:www.transformtutoring.wix.com/transform.

-2the9s