There’s a few stories from history of early explorers literally burning their ships, so that there was no way to go home, and the men were then committed to success or die.
I realized as part of my story, I had done a figurative “burning of the ship” as I embarked on new business ventures.
I purposely avoided getting a job, or any other work, other than attempt at building my business. I was afraid the job and the money it was going to provide might take away from my energy and drive. I didn’t want to come home from working, to then want to relax and not do what I needed to do.
I’ve read other entrepreneurs’ stories about how they juggled work and their own business until their business took over, so I’m not even sure if my way is a good way. But it did work for me.
Just like those early explorers, failure was not an option. It was succeed or die. I HAD to succeed. And I was totally immersed into making it succeed.
When I started pursuing music, by reselling imported vinyl records, I had left the last job I’ve ever had with the video game chain. I was renting a room from a family, and they were moving house so I had to get a new place to live. I took over a small office to operate my record business from, and then I moved in. I was now dedicated 100% to the task at hand.
I went through this a second time when I transitioned away from my DJ career. I stopped promoting events and my DJ bookings had wound down. I now had to generate everything from my corporate speaking.
This meant at times things were pretty dicey. I can recall being late paying rent a lot. Having next to no money for food. Even having trouble with bus fare. Fortunately, I was not financing my pursuit with debt and credit cards. The moment money started to come in, I was able to dig out right away and make positive steps forward, instead of servicing debt. I would never “burn the ships” if debt was the only solution.
I’m grateful now for my sacrifices, as they positioned me for great success. I’m not sure how differently it would have gone with another income source. I wouldn’t have been as immersed, and my time would have been divided. There is no way I’d have worked as hard as I did. So who knows how else it would have played out.
I did know however, if I failed, it wasn’t for lack of focus or dedication. But then again, failure literally was not an option.
