Is It Worth It?
One of the biggest battles of entrepreneurship is figuring out whether the business route is really for you. Sometimes the thought of having a 9-5 isn't as terrible as it seems.
You may have noticed that my 1st class memery and my endearing subject lines were missing from your inbox last Monday. A couple of weeks ago, I started my journey on the MSL x SUPA programme — A 6-month course working alongside the MSL team on live briefs with the likes of Rimmel London and Puma. I've had the best time, and I'm really looking forward to what the next 6 months hold. That being said, it really threw me off my routine, and it also got me thinking. Is entrepreneurship really for me?
I mentioned in my first newsletter that at least once a week, I ask myself if starting my business was a mistake. Sometimes it's just a passing thought, and sometimes it's a complete existential crisis, but the trigger is always the same. Running a business is HARD. Being a founder is probably the most difficult thing I've ever had to do. So much comes with building your business from the ground up. Being in charge of almost every aspect means taking on a lot of responsibilities and learning A LOT of new things. It's no wonder so many founders go through what I like to call the IIWI Crisis.
The IIWI Crisis
The IWII Crisis is exactly like deep cleaning your room. You start with so much motivation to make a real difference. You're sorting, rearranging and tidying, but before it gets better, it's going to get worse. Halfway through your bright idea, you find yourself in a pile of clothes, distracted by the things you forgot you had, and considering throwing everything off your bed to nap. It's at this exact moment, when everything is in shambles, that you wonder 'Is it worth it?'. For many entrepreneurs (myself included), the Is It Worth It Crisis is a constant battle. Every day, something new happens that causes you to question why you even started the business in the first place. For me, there are 4 main categories of the IWII Crisis, and I'm sure most entrepreneurs can relate.
Money Money Money
As an entrepreneur, your income is determined purely on the performance of your business. If your business suffers in one month, you are likely going to feel the impact. On the other hand, as long as you have a job, you'll always have work to do and money coming in. And for the most part, your company underperforming doesn't negatively impact your income. In the tougher months of running your business, it's easy to wonder, is the lack of security worth it?
The Balancing Act
There's no such thing as completely switching off when you're an entrepreneur. The lines between work and life are always blurred. When I have a lot going on with my business, it even takes over my sleep. I'm literally working in my dreams🥴. Most jobs allow you to switch off when you clock out. But with a business, it's not that easy. Sometimes you have to ask yourself, is the business worth my sanity?
All The Hats
If you're employed, you're (mostly😅) only responsible for one role. But as a Solopreneur, everything from managing operations to lead generation falls on you. I wear many hats every day, and I'm responsible for almost every aspect of my business. It can be incredibly draining having to learn so much and split your time between so many tasks. Eventually, the rewards will match the efforts. But in the short term, it's easy to wonder whether all the stress and all the responsibilities are really worth it.
So Close, But So Far Away
Every business starts with an idea or vision that you believe has great potential. When it hits you, the thought of bringing that vision to life is exciting, but at the same time it can feel overwhelming. At times the end goal will feel completely unattainable. It's in that moment when the goal feels so far out of reach that giving up seems like the more realistic option. You're left wondering if trying is even worth it.
Holding On To Purpose
I’m not just here to complain, but I’m also can't offer up a quick and easy solution. As I said, I go through the IWII Crisis every week (maybe even daily on a difficult week😭). I want to remind you that it’s normal to feel this way as an entrepreneur, especially in the beginning stages. The only thing that snaps me out of panic mode is remembering the purpose of all of this. For me, my purpose is to help women in business win. My success isn’t just about me and what I can achieve. It’s about ensuring that all the women we work with achieve their full potential and fulfil their own purpose. On the days where the vision feels out of reach or when being a social media manager/accountant/receptionist feels overwhelming, I try to remember how incredible reaching the goal would be. I will never allow myself to give up because my purpose is so much greater than anything I could ever do. For many of us, it may not feel like it’s worth it right now. But, when you start to see the impact that your work has, you'll understand how meaningful it is. Focusing solely on my purpose is the only thing that reminds me that working in my dreams and having to skip a payday to keep the business afloat may not feel great right now, but it will all be worth it in the end.
As difficult as it may be to believe it sometimes, it really is worth it.