Just do it

I’m not sure how many times I’ve come across new entrepreneurs who get caught up in busy work, instead of doing what it is they are here to do.

That is generally one of my first bits of advice – stop the busy work. Start generating money, the quicker the better.

What is busy work? Websites, social media, promo pieces, writing a book for promotion, head shots, business cards and anything else that is taking you away from making some money TODAY.

You’re not going to get your ideal customer as your first customer, so stop trying. Get dirty and get the customer you can get today, with the tools you have. Get some income generating, and get some experience growing your business.

Don’t spend months toiling. The internet is filled with “wantapreneurs”. Don’t copy them! Everyone is copying what they see other people doing, and a huge amount of them are wasting their time and pretending to be something they aren’t (and implying they are more successful than they are). You’d probably be shocked how many people pretend to be successful but aren’t, so don’t be one of them.

If my blog is here to help people by being honest, then this is a key bit from me.

Every single venture I did I started with some crap work and I wasn’t very good. But I got better, and I grew with the business. If I waited to get perfect with the perfect customer, I’d have never found my path forward.

I’m downright embarrassed of some of the early work and gigs I had. But it gave me money to move forward, allowed me to get better, and if I waited for dream work I’d have never gotten there.

When I talk about things taking 3 years for success, this is what I’m talking about. This is the crap work that needs to happen in the beginning, and later you can grow into the business you dream of. But you won’t be there on day 1. More like day 1000.

So I’ll challenge you to do this: What way can you generate some money for your business today? This can be the first thing you drop when you get better ways to make money, you aren’t going to get married to it.

But stop wasting your time.