I have a very good idea for a start-up business. I believe in it very much, and am convinced it could be hugely successful. There’s only one problem: it’s WAY to big for me. It requires more expertise and tons more money than I have readily available. I’ve flipped it upside down, backwards, sideways and any other direction I could think of, and it’s just too lofty for me to pull off, on my own, right now.
At one point in time, a realization such as this would have caused me to throw in the towel, in favor of sticking with the safe-and-sound status quo. But, status quo doesn’t work for me anymore. Since the rug got pulled out from under me, I no longer have the luxury of a steady paycheck, and my savings is dwindling.
I suppose I could start panicking or falling into despair, but honestly, those options hadn’t even occurred to me, until I was contemplating other ways I could respond, while writing this post. Instead, I chose to park my lofty idea and find something I can do. Notice I said “park”—not abandon. My aim is to find more feasible ways to start earning a living now, and work toward building the capabilities and funding needed for my big idea.
And… I’ve already found some very good prospects—things I’ve never considered, like getting into government contracting (did you know the federal government hasn’t met its contracting targets for ED/WOSBs?) exporting (very good opportunities and lots of info and help available from the government), editing (people always ask for my help in this area, why not start charging?) and wholesaling cars (a potentially good opportunity that’s worth looking into just kinda fell into my lap).
But wait… there’s more! [in my infomercial voice]
Since I have nothing to lose, I decided to forge ahead with my business plan and shop my lofty idea around. Maybe I’ll enter a business plan competition… Perhaps I’ll stumble upon a few potential investors. Who knows? Like I said, I have nothing to lose.
Setbacks don’t have to be devastating, heart wrenching or demotivating. I like to think of them more in the vain of having to find different solutions to already existing problems. It may require me to think a little harder and/or get more creative, but I’m learning that that’s the fun part!
It requires change—challenging the way I think, and asking “why not?” instead of automatically telling myself “no” or “I can’t.” It stretches me as person—forces me to grow and reshape boundaries. It inspires me to dream—and I’ve noticed my dreams are not only different, but so much bigger and better than before!
The next time you encounter a setback, I encourage you to think of it as a creative problem-solving opportunity. Allow your imagination to run wild, and see where it takes you.
Cheers!
Monday Morning Margarita 