An Entrepreneur's Ode to his Family
Or rather, since I'm no good at odeling, a perspective on being a husband and new father when embarking on my first venture.
It's tough. I can't jump at the computer whenever I have an inspiration. Nor can I always plan to be productive during my power hours. The risk of failure is much higher, since it's not just my future I threaten. The weight of necessary success is crushing, debilitating. Sudden events beyond my control are constant time vampires. The house is a perpetual mess, ergo a distraction.
But my familial responsibilities are more than just responsibilities. They are a treasure. I love spending time with my daughter especially, but my whole family as well. It truly is what comes first in my life. Before all else. Does that make me a bad entrepreneur? Possibly, in the eyes of some mentors. Probably, in the eyes of some fellow entrepreneurs. Definitely, in the eyes of investors.
Yet there are times that it is my family inspires me. Sometimes it's a laugh or pleasantry that provides a burst of energy which I can harness. At other times it's an observation that I somehow relate to my venture.
But most of the time, it's not so implicit. It's the confidence that comes when my wife tells me that I can do it. When she sends me articles that relate to the business. When I pendulum an idea and she supports me no matter which side, nor how far, I swing. When she emails me quotes from other successful entrepreneurs that she has stumbled upon which she knows will inspire me. When she recognizes that my confidence is waning and throws a small token my way... just right so it's not intrusive but enough to pump me up again. When she earns enough money to keep the house stable so I can pursue my venture. When she's patient with my temper tantrums that come from lack of sleep or stress.
My experience thus far is that having a supportive family is, more than not, the best thing an entrepreneur can have. It makes me a better person. Which makes me a better entrepreneur.
It's tough. I can't jump at the computer whenever I have an inspiration. Nor can I always plan to be productive during my power hours. The risk of failure is much higher, since it's not just my future I threaten. The weight of necessary success is crushing, debilitating. Sudden events beyond my control are constant time vampires. The house is a perpetual mess, ergo a distraction.
But my familial responsibilities are more than just responsibilities. They are a treasure. I love spending time with my daughter especially, but my whole family as well. It truly is what comes first in my life. Before all else. Does that make me a bad entrepreneur? Possibly, in the eyes of some mentors. Probably, in the eyes of some fellow entrepreneurs. Definitely, in the eyes of investors.
Yet there are times that it is my family inspires me. Sometimes it's a laugh or pleasantry that provides a burst of energy which I can harness. At other times it's an observation that I somehow relate to my venture.
But most of the time, it's not so implicit. It's the confidence that comes when my wife tells me that I can do it. When she sends me articles that relate to the business. When I pendulum an idea and she supports me no matter which side, nor how far, I swing. When she emails me quotes from other successful entrepreneurs that she has stumbled upon which she knows will inspire me. When she recognizes that my confidence is waning and throws a small token my way... just right so it's not intrusive but enough to pump me up again. When she earns enough money to keep the house stable so I can pursue my venture. When she's patient with my temper tantrums that come from lack of sleep or stress.
My experience thus far is that having a supportive family is, more than not, the best thing an entrepreneur can have. It makes me a better person. Which makes me a better entrepreneur.
posted by Ziko | 23:23
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