Who is an entrepreneur? A person who thinks of a business idea, takes the risk to start one and hopefully makes money at some point in time.
Am I an entrepreneur? Nope. I never started any business. Almost a year ago, I quit my job in US after living there for 10 years. I had this whole idea of starting up a business in India and then live all my life comfortably. Now I have come to a point of realization. No matter how much you plan your future, there is uncertainty which adds to everyday excitement in life. Few pointers (notes to myself) on how should one live this awesome gift of life:
1) Flexibility: Be it your baby (aka business idea) or your life, situations arise and changes happen. If you glue yourself to one thought process, one plan, then you will face disappointment. Life is a business. As your employees may quit, so will people/things in your life will quit your companionship. Be ready for it.
2) 5 year or 10 year plan; Screw that concept. My idea now is to have a vision. Close your eyes for few minutes. Think of yourself 50 years ahead. What will you be like? What will you be doing? Now keeping that vision in mind, think of long term and short term goals that will help you achieve that vision. This is how life will sail smoothly.
3) Expectations: One word, DON’T. You should never have expectations in your daily lives. Refer to point# 1 above.
4) Loneliness: That is the biggest problem! Everyday you hear about a person who is start up is facing this problem. This sounds more like job person’s monday blue. How do you defeat loneliness? Rodinhood is one answer. Be on this platform. Read about similar journeys. I have read few autobiographies after quitting my job. This helped me stay motivated after reading about their lives. Your problem will seem nothing after you realize how other people dealt their unique problems that were much more complex than yours.
These are the 4 points that I have realized after staying jobless for few months. Currently, I have been admitted to the TEACH FOR INDIA’s fellowship starting this May. Well, that’s a complete 180 degree turn from what I had thought would happen once I arrive in India.
Still feeling low? Invite me for a cup of coffee. Let’s talk! Or simply connect with me on Facebook. 🙂
Please write your comment or feedback.
@ajaygshah
asha chaudhry
🙂
you know ajay, when someone asks me about trhs – i simply say, “an entrepreneur’s journey is very lonely. we want to make it less lonely”.
love point # 1 “As your employees may quit, so will people/things in your life will quit your companionship. Be ready for it.” – it’s a hard fact of life. the sooner one accepts it, the better.
and yes, excited & terrified in one breath describes the feeling perfectly!
teach for india is a beautiful initiative to be a part of…
keep writing ajay!
ps: do you have a twitter handle? pls add it at the end. thanks!
Ajay Shah
Thank you for the encouraging words. 🙂
I do have a Twitter handle: @ajaygshah
Aninda Manna
ajay … congrats in being inducted into TEACH FOR INDIA’S fellowship … am sure it’s going to be an awesome journey …
and i agree with asha (she is my guiding light through TRH … though she doesn’t know about it 🙂 ).. the journey can at times be lonely … but we have to move … pause only to reflect … not to stop …
good luck for everything … will wait for posts about your experience … always willing to learn …
asha chaudhry
why thank you aninda! what an amazing thing to say! you are very kind 🙂
Aninda Manna
asha … am not kind .., i said what i feel … what i have learnt … kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see … which i (and i assume many others) get on TRH … i hope someday i get to meet you and alok and other RH’s … am not in hurry to be honest because i still have nothing to share … except the lonely journey … but not giving up … thank YOU for your kindness 🙂
Shivani Srivastava
So very very true !