The reality in entrepreneurship is this: Even if you work super hard, you may still not succeed. But as we’re living in an era in which you can have access to opportunities anytime, anywhere you want, your chance of succeeding is enhanced.
Just ask Gary Vaynerchuk (the Master Businessman and Social Media counter-puncher,) Marie Forleo (The Oprah-certified though leader and owner of an Inc 500 company,) Tim Ferris (The 2-hour-everything guy,) Brendon Burchard (the Master Personal Development,) Zoella (the British’ most popular YouTuber,) Felix Kjellberg (a.k.a. PewDiePie the YouTube success story) – the guys and gals who use the Internet and everything that comes with it to grab opportunities and turn them into major success that impacts plenty of people’s life. They know one thing that’s proven and true: Opportunities are out there. Take action and start grabbing them one by one – until you find whatever you define as “success.”
Now, let’s talk about just that: What’s your definition of “success”?
What’s “success” to you?
Listen, we all have the dream to achieve something bigger that we are.
When I was 11 or 12 years old, I fall in love with basketball and the NBA. I dream of playing in the NBA. I practice hours every day. 10 years later, I realize that basketball is just a hobby of mine. I played in college, but I have my limits – the ‘roofs’ that I can’t break through. That’s my potential. I could be better, but I realize that even my best won’t be good enough.
So, instead of working hard on things that I have limited potential in, I should focus on something else; something that I’m good at: Being an opportunistic online entrepreneur.
But why? Why do I want to do that, when the rest of the world is trying to be the best they can be in things they don’t actually have the skills? (yes, people do that. In schools.)
The answer is this: I don’t want to live in regret.
Regret kills
I made bad decisions. I regret them. I moved on, but I still have the lingering regret. I don’t live in my “what-ifs”. Not anymore. But still, sometimes, I remember that I have things I wish that I can do or achieve – but I didn’t make the right decisions on them.
Gary Vaynerchuk confirms in one of his daily vlog, DailyVee episode 028. He met with 70,80 and 90 years old people, and one, unanimous thing that comes out from them is “I wish.”
Regret. Regret hurts, even kills. It sucks the life itself out of your life. Gary Vaynerchuk calls regret poison:
The biggest poison in us is regret.
Unfortunately, so many people in this world live in regret. That includes entrepreneurs
You see, entrepreneurs are human. Even billionaire Sir Richard Branson is a mere human. Just like anybody else, many entrepreneurs have their regrets. Some of them regret that they should spend more time with their family. Some of them regret that they should work less hard, and live healthier. Some of the regret that they didn’t take the billion-dollar opportunity. Some of them regret that they should start a business earlier.
Regret destroys their life. They might be rich, but with lingering regrets, they’re not wealthy nor happy, sorry to say.
How NOT to live in regret
To many, regrets are natural parts of your life. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Regretting things shouldn’t be a part of your life.
If you feel the need to do things that you should be doing but you don’t, then what’s holding you back? Often, you are the one who’s holding your back, not the people around you.
So, here’s a piece of advice from yours truly, Gary Vaynerchuk: Be self-aware, know that you’re good at – your destiny – and be the best in that.
You don’t have to be an entrepreneur to be successful. If you are a gifted accountant, being a prolific CFO may be your best path to success. If you are a caring mom, being an outstanding mom may be the best path for your success.
Yes, define your own “success” and pursue it. Don’t pursue the wrong dream, and don’t let anyone else to dictate what you should pursue in life.
Takeaway
You only live once in this world. Live fully and work hard pursuing your calling and destiny – whatever that may be. Don’t regret. Seriously.
