Answers to Questions From Entrepreneurs
If you are truly an entrepreneur, trying to make a job work is going to be frustrating for both you and your employer. And if you’re drawn to a job because of “security” you’re shortchanging yourself. Listen in as I explain my own inability to ever have a job and answer other questions from entrepreneurs.
Episode #695 December 20, 2019
Hi, this is Dan Miller – and yes you’re listening to the 48 Days Radio show – where each week we take 48 minutes to dive into real life questions about finding your passion, deciding what kind of life you want to live – and then finding or creating work that allows you to show up every day, excited to be able to do something that is meaningful, fulfilling – and profitable. This is where normal, indecision and ambiguity come to die. Welcome to the 48 Days Radio Show.
Questions from Entrepreneurs:
One of the most asked questions from entrepreneurs: Which book should I read first?
You can get Dan’s reading list at https://www.48days.com/reading 48 Days To the Work You Love has the core principles of how to identify your talents, passions, and dreams and how to apply that into work that is meaningful, purposeful and profitable. The Rudder of the Day is a very light reading. See below for the 5 books I recommend everyone read. I read about 60 books a year. My goal is to read a minimum of 36 a year. I used to keep a list of the books I’ve read. But I found I was reading books just to put it on my list. That doesn’t make any sense at all. This year, I haven’t kept track of the books I’ve read at all. I also went back and went deeper into several of the books I’ve read before and have slowed down even on the new books I’m reading. Go deep on a particular topic rather than skim it and not implementing it.I’m having difficulty understanding how to create my own website – what should I do?
I have no idea how to create a website, and I’ve been in business for years and years using websites. If it’s a struggle for you, then it’s probably not in your Zone of Genius. Stick to the things that only you can do, then hire someone else to do the other pieces. Look at what you’re doing and categorize them into:- Areas of incompetence
- Things you can do with competence
- Areas of excellence
- Things only you can do – this is your Zone of Genius
Gary V says you need to be on every social platform – how can I keep up?
Be careful about those gurus who tell you that you need to work 100 hours a week. Your personal, family and spiritual life will suffer. Find out more in this blog: Work Harder To Kill Your MarriageHi Dan, Do you have any recommendations for day job ideas for people who are entrepreneurial and don’t like being stuck at a desk?
If you can see yourself generating a full-time income in your business in six months, I would stay where you are. Changing jobs can slow you down big time in your own business. It doesn’t have to be your dream job. If not, then I’d take a fresh look at the business you’re trying to build to determine if it really has real potential. You might have a business that’s a side-line hobby.I’ve always dreamed about being a real estate investor. I’ve put together 6 real estate transactions but got worried about not having a steady paycheck, and went back to finance.
A normal job is really not going to provide you with that much security. Real estate is an amazing vehicle to change your life, depending on how you are approaching your real estate investment.I feel like because I am truly meant to be an Entrepreneur, it’s hard to get a good job. Maybe it’s the energy I give off… Do you find that to be true?
Yes! It would be impossible for me to hide my true entrepreneurial desires. How to get enough money to quit your job and go full-time in your business is one of the big questions from entrepreneurs. Remember that 69 percent of all new businesses require less than $10,000.Quotation:
[click_to_tweet tweet=”“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?” Epictetus @48daysteam” quote=”“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?” Epictetus”]
A note about preparing for the new year: 48 Days Coach Alan Thomas just did a Monday Mentor Call with the 48 Days Eagles Community. He titled it How To Be Fat in 2020. As a weight loss coach, he said that the actual weight loss program you use doesn’t matter. Mindset is the key. Building better habits is what will change your life. As you look at your goals for 2020, keep in mind how you’re going to build better habits to make those goals a reality. Click here to find out more about the 48 Days Eagles Community.
Books recommended in this episode:
The Big Five for every teenager
1. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
2. See You at the Top – Zig Ziglar
3. Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
4. The Magic of Thinking Big – David Schwartz
5. Acres of Diamonds – Russell Conwell
Want to test a business idea? Will it Fly? – Pat Flynn
Need to find your Zone of Genius – The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
Four years ago I had a company do a market analysis on my business. From that, I read 4 books that have really shaped my business since then.
2. Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You
3. Walk Away Wealthy: The Entrepreneur’s Exit-Planning Playbook
4. The Automatic Customer: Creating a Subscription Business in Any Industry
The feedback was that my business was too dependent on me – a typical entrepreneur’s dilemma.
Resource:
10 Tips To Help You Stay Motivated To Live Out Your Dream
Recap:
- Start Reading – today. Choose 5 books and go deep in 2020
- Don’t try to do everything in a business. Find your Zone of Genius and use the skills of other people to fill the gaps.
- Don’t listen to the gurus who tell you you have to be on FB, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Messenger, WeChat, Tumblr, TikTok, Reddit, LinkedIn, Viber, SnapChat, and Medium. Choose 1 or 2 and be consistent.
- If you’re an entrepreneur stop trying to talk yourself into having a job for security.
Great show, as always. This was one of my favorites! I kept yelling “Thank you! Thank you!” all the way through. Thank you for speaking the truth about the marketing scams out there and the false success gurus. The “doors closing soon, you snooze you lose” attitudes always turn me off. And that Gary V…. Anyhow, thank you, thank you.
Really surprised that in this episode you talk with disdain about using marketing techniques like opening the doors to a membership site for a limited time and using the “price will increase on this date, so hurry and sign up”. Yet, you did those things this year. I had to wait to join Eagles for months and then when it opened up this last time I missed the “hurry, price will increase from $36 to $48…by a day. You may not be using those tactics now but don’t shame those who do after seeing you do it and emulating your marketing strategy.