Entrepreneurs know who they have the potential to be. They’re visionaries, so they see what they can become if they take that leap of faith into entrepreneurship.

The challenge is seeing that process through.

Execution is an art.

It takes time. It requires practice. It demands that you take advantage of your time and be productive.

I kinda figured that being an entrepreneur was going to be challenging. But, I thought that I was creative enough and smart enough that I could at least balance the scal, and if I was lucky maybe even tilt it my way.

WRONG! Oh, so wrong. Being smart and creative did the exact opposite:

1. Everything was studied and analysed.

This is called paralysis by analysis.

I’m a Virgo + A Perfectionist + I Like to Learn Interesting Things. THis is death to entrepreneurship and business.  I could remember month one just researching and studying what everyone was doing. I’d take courses, go to workshops, hit up conferences and never applied anything. I could tell you how it was supposed to work, but speaking form my own experience…nah I couldn’t tell you that yet. My excuse for myself was “I want to be able to do it right the first time.”

What I’ve come to find out is that was really FEAR. The fact that I wanted to do it right the first time was the perfectionist in me. and the fact that I was 3-5 months and and had not completed one thing I had learned was a tell tell sign that I wasn’t doing something right.

2. For Every Problem, I Created a New Solution and Business.

I’m a serial entrepreneur, so I see the business opportunity in everything. I had to understand that “Every opportunity isn’t meant for you, Will.” This was a time when I was tired of delivering for others and wanted to create something of my own, but I really didn’t have anything. So, I was out here like a kid at Baskin Robbins…tasting all the flavors that came my way. All of the flavors looked good (it’s ice cream…how bad can it be?), but after a few tastes you realize that “Hey, I don’t really like chocolate or butter pecan…I’m actually a sherbet guy.”

As I look back, this was a needed journey for me. I truly learn throught he process. I can read, I con study, but the actual experience of something allows me to assess thing in real time, get in tune with how it feels, and determine if it’s for me or not.

3. Creative Overload

Do you know how many flyer designs, shirt designs, logo concepts, presentation, and videos I have? I’m like a creative hoarder. The problem was I was only creative when I was inspired to be. When I dove into this phase of my business full-time (teaching other, sharing resources, coaching & consulting), I was really lax on what I was building for myself. But, the bills still come and that checking account starts to dwindle really quick. Plus, who’s going to hold me responsible for my own business built around my personal brand? I have time right? Wrong!

So, I jumped ship and started taking on clients again to pay bills. Here’s the crazy thing about it all. Everything I was doing for my clients I should’ve been doing for myself…Help create content, create & launch books, start an apparel line, do video content, create a social media calendar, create campaigns and setup paid advertisements, create sales funnels.

If I would have invested that 3-5 months of work I was doing for other into myself I would have been SET! But instead I was being creative and flowing (maybe a little much) instead of holding myself accountable to the goals I set out to achieve.

Conclusion

Except the fact that you’ll never get it done “right” the first time…matter of fact your “right” may not be “right” for your market.

Information + Experience = Knowledge

Getting it done and “shippable” is more important that getting it done perfect.

“Tasting the flavors” is necessary to truly identify what you like to do and what you don’t like to do.

Creating things without a goal for how it’s helping your business is like digging your own grave. Soon you’ll be drowning in your creations with no revenue to show for it.

In my journey, I learned that when I did work for a client I would do it to completion because I took pride in doing what I said I would do. But, when it came to holding myself responsible for my personal projects I would slack off (not smart). I’ve learned it important to also keep your promises to yourself. They are equally, if not more important, than the your clients projects.

Get clear on what you are creating, focus on the small tasks that will help you get there, and execute on those tasks daily. It’s easier said than done, but you are worth it. To help, I’ve created a Calendar Guide to help you with your first 90 Days of 2020. You can download it here: