MindThe Beginner

“In order to engage in life fully, we sometimes have to subject ourselves to small, calculated risks. And though we can’t control anyone else’s behaviour, we can learn to control ours to minimize those risks.”

This is a quote from Neil Strauss’ book Emergency. (Page 385 if you want the context) and I found it rather thought provoking. In daily life, what are the risks we take every single day. I gave it a hard thought while taking a long ride on my motorcycle and realized that just by taking that ride I was taking risks I didn’t have to.

But although I didn’t have to, I wanted to take this risk. I thoroughly enjoy riding my motorcycle in the warm spring sunset and I’m not alone in this. I spotted at least thirty other riders and as is the custom with “bikers” you wave at one another, just to acknowledge what all bikers know: that riding is better than driving. But in order to wave you need to let go of the handlebar for a second. Going 60 mph and letting go of the handlebar with one hand to wave. A calculated risk if you ask me. Less dangerous than eating a snack in the car or using your mobile. That is not the only risk in riding a motorcycle, they are everywhere. But as in the quote, we can learn to control our own behaviour and minimize the risks involved. You won’t see me waving while cornering or overtaking. Use your own judgement to control your behaviour. But, also look around what risks are considered “normal” and what is excessive. Are you overly cautious or are you taking more risks than you should?

Any entrepreneurial effort is also a risk, the stakes can be high and the possibility of failure are real. Are the rewards worth the effort and the risk? I think they are. It’s hard work and a path filled with setbacks but in the end there is nothing that quite beats the rush of the startup, it’s highly addictive though. Take this blog for example, it’s a startup of sorts and it’s a great feeling to see the number of subscribers and readers grow day by day, knowing that this is a direct result of your own work, you alone are responsible in the end, failure is all yours, success is all yours too. Although success in blogging could never happen without your readers, they are your friends and can break you just as easily as they have made you. The risks involved with starting this blog are minimal, there is no monetary commitments yet (for me) , and likewise no monetary rewards (for me, yet).

The chance to have your own business, or even your own blog is something everyone should try. Don’t get in to deep and spend thousands of dollars on it. Look into the possibilities to start a small side business that won’t cost to much and enjoy the rollercoaster of startup and the joy of every single cent you make. Find out if you enjoy the thrills or if the risk is to great and you can’t stand the feeling. Either way, take the chance if you can and find out. To many people out there have the dream of being an entrepreneur and only a small percentage of those really give it a go. Blogging on a free wordpress hosted blog is a great way to experience your first startup and get a feeling for marketing. After that, the steps to investing some money seem less daunting.

Start monetizing your blog, offer your skills to others for a modest fee, try a small drop-shipping business. Give it a go and find out if it’s what you thought it was.

…This is one of the reasons for me to start blogging, I dreamed about it and in stead of just dreaming, I acted on the dream and now that dream is reality… Engaging in life fully and not standing at the sidelines dreaming of what could be. Take the chance!

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